SCOTLAND
The rhythm of the Caledonian Sleeper lulled us into a gentle reverie as we wound our way north through the Scottish darkness, Dora's strawberry blonde coat catching the dim cabin lights as she dozed contentedly at our feet. Her substantial thirty-four kilos of pure Labrador love had earned her more than a few admiring glances from fellow passengers as we boarded, her tail wagging in anticipation of the Highland adventure ahead.
Dawn breaks as we cross the Highland boundary, revealing a dramatic landscape that makes the heart soar. Ancient mountains rise like sentinels against the morning sky, their rugged peaks shrouded in ghostly mist. This is a land shaped by ice and time, where nature's raw beauty reigns supreme.
As we neared Fort William, the landscape began to reveal itself through wisps of winter mist. That's when we saw it – a scene straight from a Highland fairy tale. There, silhouetted against the dusky purple sky, stood a magnificent stag upon the hillside, his proud antlers etched against the fading light. Below him, his family grazed peacefully, protected by his vigilant watch. The moment felt suspended in time, a gift from the Scottish wilderness welcoming us to its realm.
Our journey took us deeper into the Highlands, across the sea to the Isle of Skye, where the Duisdale Hotel welcomed us with its warm stone walls and promises of cozy evenings by crackling fires. But it was the call of the wild that drew us out – particularly the irresistible lure of the loch for our water-loving companion. Dora could hardly contain her excitement as we made our way to the beach, her nose working overtime at the new Highland scents.
The moment her paws touched the loch's waters, Dora transformed into pure joy incarnate. She bounded through the cold waves with the enthusiasm only a Labrador can muster, her strawberry blonde coat darkening with each splash, her tail creating happy ripples across the water's surface. Against the backdrop of Skye's mysterious mountains and under a pearl-grey sky, she was in her element – a Highland dog for a day, living her best life in these ancient waters.
The Isle of Eriska awaited us next and proved to be the crown jewel of our Highland adventure. The private island retreat welcomed us with the same warmth it had shown to distinguished guests for over a century, but it was their treatment of Dora that truly captured our hearts. One evening in the conservatory, as we savored our own exquisite dinner of local delicacies, a server approached with unexpected pomp and ceremony. Upon a gleaming silver platter, perfectly arranged, lay a fresh carrot for Dora. The formality of the presentation, combined with Dora's gleeful acceptance of this vegetable tribute, had us struggling to contain our laughter.
The conservatory itself became our favorite dining spot, its glass walls offering panoramic views of the winter gardens while keeping us cozy inside. As we dined on perfectly prepared Scottish venison and fresh seafood, Dora would lie contentedly at our feet, occasionally lifting her head to watch the island's resident deer grazing in the twilight. The staff treated her not as a guest's pet, but as a distinguished visitor in her own right, making this Christmas journey one etched forever in our memories – not just for the breathtaking beauty of the Highlands, but for the simple joy of experiencing it through Dora's eyes, where every new sight, smell, and silver-plattered surprise was cause for celebration.
The islands hold ancient secrets. Standing stones rise from windswept moors, silent witnesses to thousands of years of human history. In remote glens, the ruins of crofters' cottages tell tales of communities long departed. The haunting cry of curlews echoes across landscapes unchanged since the last ice age.
This will definitely not be our last trip to Scotland. The beautiful city of Edinburgh, where the tales of Harry Potter were penned and traditional Scottish pubs welcome visitors from around the globe with open arms and a cold pint, still waits to be fully explored. The few days we spent there did not do the city justice – its cobbled streets and historic architecture deserve a deeper immersion.
Looking ahead, we dream of venturing to the far northern lochs of Scotland where Dora could explore further and perhaps even investigate whether the Loch Ness monster is merely a myth born of human imagination or a real, unexplained creature that has learned to be as elusive as the Scarlet Pimpernel. The thought of our strawberry blonde explorer padding along those mysterious shores, her keen nose working to uncover secrets that have eluded humans for centuries, brings smiles to our faces.
Our Highland Christmas journey may have concluded, but it has planted the seeds for many return visits. Scotland's wild beauty, the warmth of its people, and its ability to make even our four-legged companion feel like royalty ensure that the call of the Highlands will continue to echo in our hearts for years to come.
