Scotland Trip April 2026

The Cal-Mac ferry that runs between Arran and the Scottish mainland -- with a rainbow.

I finally got back to Scotland this year with my oldest friend, Janna.  We were supposed to take this trip back in 2020 when we turned 50, but the pandemic happened ...

Even this time, it was quite an adventure getting there.  Although we met in the Minneapolis airport, the plane to Amsterdam suffered a 6-hour mechanical delay, which made us miss the connecting flight for Glasgow.  We were rescheduled and put on a plane for London (Heathrow - Ugh!) instead, but that plane had a 2-hour delay as well and we missed another plane to Glasgow.  We had to spend the night in London because we arrived too late to do anymore.  Lots of extra expense for hotels and taxi rides.  Hopefully, Janna will get reimbursed for that.  I've never had so much trouble getting somewhere as this trip ... 

But once we got there, and I could see those ever-changing skies in Scotland, all was forgiven!

 

Waterlogued view of Goatsfel, the little mountain on Isle of Arran.  

This view is very near  the Invercloy Inn where we were staying in Brodick.

 

  

Hillary and Ricardo were lovely hosts to us at The Invercloy.  The inn was officially closed as they were remodeling, but Janna already had the reservation in, and they honored it.  Cozy, comfy and welcoming place! 

 

 

Waterlogued image from the main street of Brodick.  If you look closely, you might be able to make out the castle in the lower middle peeking up from the treeline.  

 

Waterlogued view of Brodick, Isle of Arran.  

The clouds are hiding the mountains behind ... 

 

 

We hired a driver to take us around the island.  This is a view of The Holy Isle from Ross Road as we are coming into Lamlash.  Wow!  

 

 

Waterlogued view of Janna in the elegant dining room of The Invercloy Inn, Isle of Arran.  

 

 

In between Arran and Loch Lommond, we visted The Weaver's Cottage.  It's officially part of the historic sites in Scotland.  I'm glad they preserved this! 

This is the view from my hotel room in Balloch, along the River Leven, and looking beyond to Loch Lomond.  Gorgeous!  Lots of boats, but not so many people this early in the season.

Waterlogued image of Ben Lomond (mountain) as seen from the waters of Loch Lomond.

We took a boat tour of Loch Lomond and got a closer look at the surrounding landscape. 

 

Red canoe on the shores of Loch Lomond. 

 

Castle Balloch on the shores of Lock Lomond, and a short walk from our hotel.  

 

 

 This hawk was on display at The Birds of Prey Center in Balloch, on Loch Lomond.

 

Another ruined casle at Locranza, Isle of Arrun.   

This is at the top of the island with geography more like the highlands. 

 

At Locranza Castle Ruin, at the top of Isle of Arrun.  

 

Friends for Life! 

On the Loch Lomond boat Tour.   Yes, it can be chilly there in April, but as long as you are dressed in layers, with a good cap, a rain coat,  and good company, it's fine!

 

Waterlogued view of Janna at the ruined castle on Inchmurrin Island, where Mary Queen of Scotts stayed for a time.  We had dinner on the island one night and hiked up to the ruin.  

 

Janna with a dreamy look in her eyes ...  

Dinner on the island of Inchmirrin in Loch Lomond.  We had to take a ferry to get there, too!