Celebrating our Golden Wedding Anniversary Amidst Autumn Hues.
Photos and more to follow
Fifty years ago, we said "I do". Five decades, countless memories, and a lifetime of shared laughter later, we found ourselves asking how best to celebrate our Golden Wedding Anniversary. The answer felt written in the leaves. We decided to chase the utimate seasonal symphony, matching our golden milestone with the spectacular, fiery palette of autumn.
Packing our warmest woollen scarves, we set off, with the family, on a romantic road trip through two of the most breath taking landscapes in the UK: the timeless English Lake District and the wild, majestic Trossachs in Scotland.
Our first stop was at HPB's Ivy House in Braithwaite (located near Keswick). After our journey we all enjoyed well deserved beer/wine at The Royal Oak, a traditional country inn. Fortunately, located very close to Ivy House as the first named storm of the autumn - Storm Austen - brought heavy rain to the area. We then returned to the Ivy House's Restaurant for an excellent meal.
The next morning storm Boelo was battering Cumbria and an amber weather warning for rain and wind was in place. We decided to drive from Keswick towards Borrowdale along the edge of Derwent Water. The storm had caused widespread tree falls and debris on the road. When we stoppped at Kettlewell car park we decided to return to Ivy House.
The rain stopped in the afternoon so the family decided to tackle Barrow Fell, a popular 455 metre "starter" fell. While it isn't strictly on the shoreline, its ridge walk serves up spectacular, panoramic views of multiple lakes, including Derwent Water and Bassenthwaite Lake. It really was one of those walks where you know the weather might be poor, but you give yourself permission to turn around if you're not enjoying yourself or conditions get really poor. As the family made their way up the fell, it began to get increasingly windy, with strong gusts making it a little difficult to walk up. They made it to the top.
Leaving England behind, we drove north stopping at the falls of Clyde to stretch our legs. There had been plenty of rain from the storm so the river and falls were thunderous and spectacular. Amazing views and a lovely series of walks to all four of the falls.
We continued our journey north into Scotland to experience the rugged romanticism of The Trossachs National Park. If the Lake District felt like a beautifully painted canvas, the Trossachs felt entirely cinematic.
We arrived at our destination, HPB's Tigh Mor. A striking Gothic-Baronial building located on the northern shores of Loch Achray. Known as the "big house in the Trossachs," it features fairy tale turrets and grand architecture.
The original hotel was built in 1849 as the Trossachs Hotel. It historically hosted prominent guests, including Queen Victoria. After falling into severe disrepair by the 1980s, the building was rescued, restored, and converted into holiday apartments by HPB.
We were so lucky to be staying in a stunning one bedroom apartment in one of the turrets. The family were in two additional two bedroom apartments, all with beautiful views of Loch Achray.
The next day we all set off to drive over the Duke's Pass. At first the road tightly hugs the Loch with a fantastic view of Tigh Mor and a herd of Highland cows, grazing in the fields. We then rattle through sharp bends left and right. I was grateful I was not the one behind the wheel and I simply leaned back and enjoyed the views along the way.
We parked at the Lodge Forest Visitor Centre at the Queen Elizabeth Forest Park. A starting point for a network of woodland and hill trails. From the visitor centre we followed Caroline and white waymarkers along a wide gravel path to An Eas a'Mhangain (the Falls of the Little Fawn). As we walked we could hear a small stream ahead gradually gowning louder. We reach the edge of the stream, looked to our left, and there - as if by magic - appeared a narrow gorge. And at its far end, a waterfall cascades down the steep, rocky slope. The water in the stream is golden brown coloured from the peaty soils.
We continued walking, the trail sloped gently downhill until we reached a small clearing, and there, on a pedestal of rocks, stands the life-size bronze sculpture of a woman. She has one hand raised to shield her eyes from the sun, and the other wrapped around the slender handle of an axe. She's known as Lumberjill and stands representative for all members of the Women's Timber Corps, an arm of the Women's Land Army during the Second World War. Between 1942 and 1946 women and girls all over England and Scotland, some as young as 14 years old, were recruited to replace the men who had gone to war. They felled trees, stripped their trunks, loaded them on trucks and trains, and milled the timber wherever it was needed. But as the Corps was disbanded, their service fell into oblivion and there was never any official recognition for the lumbergills of Scotland. In 2006, an artist was commissioned to create a memorial and one year later this sculpture was unveiled.
We continued on our hill trail with a stunning view at the top. The fantastic lichen on the trees attest to the quality of the air.
That evening we felt we had earned our cocktails, made by Mike in the coffee jug, followed by a delicious meal at Scott's Bisto.
The next morning a first ever fishing experience with Ricky, the Ghillie, and what a teacher. The amount of knowledge this man has is unbelievable. It wasn't just fishing either. From the local wildlife (otters) and places to visit Ricky seemed to know absolutely everything about the area. You could tell straight away this isn't just a job to him - it's something he genuinely lives and breathes. Five rainbow trout caught and two cooked that evening - so delicious. An absolute gentleman with a real passion for what he does. I wish him all the success as he takes over from the recently retired Ghillie. If you're thinking about booking a lesson I cannot speak too highly of him. Tel: 07597337787 or see him down at the Fishing Hut at the Lochside, Tigh Mor.
The family rented bikes from the car park at Loch Katrine from Katrine Wheelz and rode on the 14-mile paved path on the northern shore to the top of the Loch and back. (Unfortunately, the Sir Walter Scott boat had closed for the season so they couldn't do the boat trip and ride back from Stronachlachar ). We were warned the cycle path has numerous long and steep climbs so Grandad and I decided to walk.
As they set off Phil and I walked to Brenachoile Point and then returned the same way which is roughly 4 miles in total. It's a great walk, which is completely flat. A big win in my view! And we all arrived back at the same time.
In the afternoon we drove to Callendar and the Woollen Mill there. At the Woollen Mill we smiled when we noticed they were selling bags of food to allow tourists to feed the Highland cows! There is always someone with a novel idea for making a bob or two.
We then drove to the Upper/Trailhead Car Park, not far away, for the start of the walking trail to Bracklinn Falls Bridge (a visit recommended by Ricky, the Ghillie). The falls are very picturesque and well worth visiting. Due to all the recent rain the river was gushing, crashing against the rocks and it was quite an impressive sight.
That evening we enjoyed Pizza from the van at Tigh Mor. Very good.
