Central Scotland, UK: Summer 2009

This is an area of enormous beauty and variation. It is accessible too, with most major centres within easy reach and yet it feels miles away from the rat race, offering quick and convenient option for washing away urban grit.

Bridge of Allan, Stirling Region



This was almost the first warm sunny day since we arrived at Scotland. We went picnic at this laid-back former spa town.



The river was very clean, but most parts were a bit too shallow to swim. There were midges all around as well.

Stirling



When i told my brother-in-law that we moved to Scotland, he said, oh, "Braveheart". The movie by Mel Gibson, about the scottish patriot, William Wallace.
This impressive Victorian monument is dedicated to William Wallace, who was hung, drawn and quartered by the English.

St Andrews, Fife



This golf town (it's the location of the world's most famous golf course, the Old Course) has a surprisingly intact medieval layout and dramatic ruins.



The ruins of St Andrews Castle with dramatic coastline views.



St Andrews is nestled into the wide and sweeping bay. St Andrews University was the first university founded in Scotland.



Besides from the beautiful coastline views, i like the most this striking ruins of St Andrews Cathedral.

Falkirk Region



Falkirk Wheel, the world's first rotating boat lift: Raising vessels plus ~300 tonnes of water, 35m in one steel caisson, while descending boats are carried down in the second caisson on the opposite side of the wheel.

Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, Scotland: Summer 2009

Water, Forest, Cold ...

Tillicoultry

It rained continuously for 6 days on/off when we just moved to Scotland. It was cold and wet all the time. Somehow, we were lucky to find a flat by ourselves for short term, near to Stirling, below the Orchil Hills, in a small peaceful village called Tillicoultry.



This is our neighbourhood. We could just hike up to the hills as we want. The foot path to go up is 5 minutes from our house.



There are hills and of course there is a river!
The river is just right beside of the road after the first left/right turns to our house.



The small park just below of the hills.
This place is so quiet that, there is even no wireless internet around the areas.
If i switch on my macbook in Cardiff or Brighton, it can detect at least 10 wireless networks.
Overhere, we are the only house where there is internet connection.


Callander, Scotland: 10 May 2008

When KY and KL came to visit us, they told us that, their tour guide said, Callander is a place for old people. May be that is true. The town is of medium size, with mountains for easy hike and water falls / rivers to chill out.



From the small village that we stay, we drove by Bridge of Allan and Doune to go to Callander. It took around 1 hour. On the way, there is a wind field. It seems like there are quite a few wind fields around Scotland. We normally see it along the highway.



Unlike the other part of UK, there is forest in Scotland. It was so pleasant to just walk in the fresh cold air in the forest. The walk was straight forward and easy.



We arrived at Bracklinn falls with our swimming wears in the beg, wanted to brave the cold water at this time. However, there were no way to go down to the falls. The hike stopped above at the falls where we could only look and not able to touch the water at all.



A pool which could be just nice to swim, but couldn't go down there! We ended up just picnic.