INTRODUCTION
Hello everyone.
First of all, let us introduce ourselves. We call Mari Carmen and Julio and Madrid are a couple who traveled to Scotland in mid-June 2007. We were so impressed with the beauty of this country, we decided to create a travelogue blog format to tell our experience and future travelers bring our humble perception of adventure during our stay in the land of lakes and castles.
I call the blog "Once Upon a Time in Scotland" may be due to that at all times seemed to feel on the skin of those fairy tale characters, surrounded by forests and beautiful landscapes where the humblest cottage seemed taken as describing the Grimm brothers in their stories.
plan our route in advance, "camping" every day in a different place and trying to visit the most symbolic of Scottish culture even knowing that we would leave plenty to see.
Seen on a map, Scotland may seem a small country but it is not. We traveled an average of 350 km per day and 7 days, we can say that only a quarter of the most essential, which means one thing we are forced to return.
For those of you planning to travel there, let us advice that you are filming and of course for free, by car. Is it really going to let you merge with Scottish culture and get lost in places and cliffs that by no means, you would have a chance to meet through an organized tour.
The drive on the left is not so complicated and then you take the point. Yes, never let down your guard and be very attentive to the signs because the back roads of Scotland are secondary in the most literal sense word.
Here is a picture with TREKKING we did, falling for days and colors as the plane of the Metro. I hope you find it useful. 
(Click on pictures to enlarge them)
Similarly, we have classified the different blog entries for days and itineraries that you can see by clicking on the links in the sidebar. We have also added the most representative photographs of each place visited and some videos, which will surely make reading much more readable and descriptive.
Of course, do not hesitate to leave your opinions. This is an open diary and will be pleased to answer any questions or concerns you please ask. You can register by clicking on the link Comments there at the end of each post.
Thanks and I hope you enjoy the journey as much as us.
--- DAY 1 MADRID - Glasgow - Edinburgh Edinburgh
The night before our trip, we had barely slept.
Apart from the inevitable nerves, we State Wedding (not ours eh?) and went to bed late. We had not reconciled or 3 hours of sleep when the alarm clock reminded us that we should get moving and walking towards the AIRPORT. Our "adventure" was about to begin.
adventure and put it in quotes because the thing did not start with my right foot so to speak.
Upon arrival at the airport Barajas T4 we find a rather chaotic situation and we saw what the people were upset.
check queues were huge and on top tell us that our flight was managed Iberia. There are already beginning to worry. When
it was our turn, the plane had already had to take a while at 10,000 feet. Served us nothing to have come to the airport almost 3 hours!! in advance. Embarrassing.
Luckily two hours later we could get on the next flight to Heathrow Airport (London), where scale did then fly to Edinburgh.
At half past three p.m. we were taking off.
Forty-five minutes later, we left the peninsula flying over the coast of Bilbao.
landed at Heathrow Airport at 4 pm local time (there is one hour less) and our flight to Edinburgh, leaving at 5.
Since we had to collect your luggage and check in again with British Airways, also clearly missed the flight to Edinburgh.
It is bad luck to lose two aircraft on the same day with how big they are.
Our concern grew to see that the next flight to Edinburgh had been canceled and there were no more until the next day, so there we were, not knowing what to do or where to turn.
Once in London, forget about Iberia and of course forget to speak Castilian.
In our desperation, we went to a British Airways desk where even I do not know how and with my limited English, I managed to get along with a very kind lady who offered us a choice: two hours on a flight leaving for Glasgow and if luck had failed some passengers, we could take place.
It was not in our plans to go through Glasgow, but being only an hour by train from Edinburgh, we think that the worst case, it was better there than being stranded in London and decided to not risk it.
15 minutes of departure, we announced that we can bill and finally relieved. Half an hour later, we were taking land at the airport in Glasgow. At least we were already in Scotland and our pallid faces and had better color.
at the airport, we caught a bus that dropped us off at the train station where we should take a train to take us to Edinburgh.
could not see much of Glasgow from the bus because it was crowded and was starting to get dark, but we found a city not too different from any other European. Though not the capital, is the industrial city and most populous of Scotland and if it serves as an example, was the only Scottish town where we saw blocks of flats like the ones here.
Once at the station we get tickets for the train to Edinburgh and 22:20 the train started on time to our destination.
The journey lasted just under an hour and when we got to Edinburgh, it was already dark and the station was pretty lonely. We asked the policemen where we could catch a taxi and told us politely where was the nearest stop and there can not stop the taxi on the street.
taxis there are huge inside and in the back five people fit perfectly. The luggage is on the front, next to the driver.
We indicated to the driver the address of our hotel and in less five minutes, we were at the door of The Thistel House , our first hotel in Edinburgh. The taxi cost us 2.40 pounds. Did not seem expensive at all and also the driver was very courteous at all times.
At last we were at our destination, but we still had to overcome one last problem: the hotel closed at 11 pm and were the 12 quarter. Press the bell and the door was closed. Once
. ........ Twice and nothing.
The third time we opened the door a receptionist Hindu features totally disheveled and rubbing his eyes, looking to have jumped out of bed.
We explained our epic flights and apologize for the delay. The guy smiled and invited us into ensuring that there was no problem.
Sign guestbook registration and led us to a room abuharllidada very welcoming, very similar to those of dollhouses.
is difficult to describe the tremendous sigh of relief that we dropping the bags on the floor. Now I smile to tell but the truth is we spent a day of absolute scarcity, which just missed us mourn.
yet explained how we were able to reach all the setbacks we had. Better not think about it.
important thing is that we were in our hotel and was waiting for a soft bed that really needed. We were exhausted and slept like logs.
not advance anything, but from now on everything would go smoothly.
Or almost everything.
--- DAY 2 - Pittenweem - ST. Andrew - Glam CASTLE - DAY 3 ---- BALLATER
At 7:30 am the phone rang the alarm to the tune of Vivaldi Autumn. Nothing out of bed, really wanted to convince us that we were in Edinburgh. We peered into the window and this was the first thing we saw:
At first glance, Edinburgh was like we had imagined, eternally cloudy, with those looking houses Victorian slate roofs full of mildew due to moisture and these cylindrical chimneys reminded us the movie "The Yellow Submarine" by the Beatles, in the sequence in which Eleanor Rigby sounded.
There was no time to lose and we were hungry so after a quick shower, we went down to breakfast to finally give a good account of the famous Scottish breakfast "consisting of eggs with bacon, potato cake, sausages, beans and grilled mushrooms . Oh and also coffee and toast. Almost
ná.
After breakfast, we went in search of the suitcases, we paid the bill and ask the friendly receptionist that if he could call a taxi. We had to pick up the car at 9:30 and it was almost 9. Glad this one did and while waiting a taxi (which only took 5 minutes), took the opportunity to get a picture in front Thistle House in memory of our wonderful stay in this small hotel, highly recommended.
Once in the taxi, we saw the streets of Edinburgh in the light of day and the beauty of its buildings. In our journey, we chatted amiably with the driver, mainly soccer (Real Madrid had just proclaimed champions) and some curiosities about how they are pronounced certain words.
For example, we tend to giving of Edinburgh as "Edinborg" and the Scots say "Edinbra." Saving these little details, I have to say that the taxi driver understood English perfectly. I do not know who am I to say so but contrary to what they say, the Scots speak English very correct. At least in Edinburgh.
We point to the Avis office and we said goodbye to the taxi driver with a firm handshake. The trip cost us this time nor 4.80 pounds seemed expensive considering we had crossed half the city.
Once in the rental office, took our information and we handed the keys to a brand new Renault Megane black, almost brand new. We had not asked, but at the same price (294 pounds for 7 days) gave us a car with all the extras imaginable, including a wonderful sunroof.
Now came the uncertainty of how I would manage to drive on the left so we left the garage with some caution looking good to all sides and radically changing the chip in the intersections. We had not traveled or 500 meters (sorry, 547 yards) when we heard a thud which gave us a tremendous scare. At first we thought he had blown an air bag, but then we saw that we had beaten the left mirror of the car with a lamp post (we think) and the mirror was cracked. Joer. We began well.
stopped to check the damage and saw that it was not anything serious, resume their march slowly and slightly wobbly in the legs, I must say. Most embarrassing
drive on the left is not taking the roundabouts inside out or the shift lever or address as is commonly thought. The hardest thing we saw was the distance we have to take into account the width of the vehicle on the passenger side not to get on the sidewalks.
After a few junctions and roundabouts, I was getting the hang of the car and when we wanted to realize we were on the outskirts of Edinburgh in full highway (There are called "motorways"), currently circulating on the rail car is clearly slower than the left.
Before Pettenweem deviate towards our first destination, we stopped in the town of Kirkcaldy to take stock of supplies in a small supermarket where we bought drinks, some cheese, sausage and bread mold.
When you travel in tour plan is the best thing you can do: breakfast strong as we did, and then eat some sandwiches in the afternoon. Not in the United Kingdom eat poorly, but have a good bread and that we must take advantage.
was 11 ½ when we Pettenweem , a fishing village on the east coast of Scotland, famous for its stories and legends about witches .
was no accident that park the car next to a dark cemetery.
may sound macabre but Scottish cemeteries are spectacular. They are always on the street or around the churches and within its gloomy aspect, are beautiful to watch.
In coastal towns, it is not unusual to see the odd tomb of suspected pirates. 
After visiting the cemetery and church, we headed to the harbor area down the steep cobbled streets of the town. We were surprised by the humble homes of fishermen, the pleasant smell of salt and everything was spotless.
Once in port, we strolled down the main street and stopped to watch and photograph the colorful boats.
Then we walked to the end of the pier for the ferocity of the North Sea which, surprisingly to us, that day was pretty quiet.
We loved Petenweem and we do not have minded staying a little longer there, but we had a schedule to meet so we returned back to the car and we set our next destination in the GPS: Saint Andrews, where it is said, was invented golf World cradle considered sport.
Apparently there are waiting lists several years to play in golf St. Andrews, but we were not going there for that. Too pijerío for us.
We chose St. Andrews for its impressive cathedral in ruins and its vast cemetery, perhaps the most impressive and moving across Scotland.
A place where anyone would like to spend a night, but at the same time endowed with an incomparable beauty. 
A place that was begun in the twelfth century, steeped in history and full of ancient stones.
The entrance to the cathedral is free, but have the option to climb the tower and visit the crypt of just under 2 pounds. And really worth the trouble. We had the misfortune of ending after climbing the spiral staircase leading to the top of the tower, the fog showed up (as if the place was a little creepy) and we could hardly see anything of Cathedral Close, although we enjoy magnificent views of the city.
A two-thirty in the afternoon, we decided to leave St. Andrews could not help look back and see something more away with the solemnity of the main tower.
Too shocking as to not look, but we had to start heading towards the County of Forfar, where we hoped
one of the most famous castles and best preserved in Scotland Glamis Castle
The entrance to Glamis Castle is spectacular. Accessed by an old stone gate with a gate of iron and later get a paved road lined by huge trees that are disappearing from the field of view to make way for the majesty with which this fairy tale castle, is shown before our eyes. In this video you can see reflected that feeling.
The truth is it surprising that in a place so very careful as this, let you go by car to the door of the castle. 
And when I say to the door, is literally to the door.
parked the car on a grassy esplanade that was in the back and took the tickets for a guided tour of the castle, we came by the hair because it was the last pass of the day.
Eran casi las tres y media y aun teníamos veinte minutos antes de entrar. Aprovechamos para tomar un tentempié y comer unos sandwiches de ensalada de pollo con nuestro recién estrenado pan de molde escocés. Y la verdad es que nos supo a gloria.
Justo antes de entrar al castillo, nos dió tiempo a hacer unas fotos a un par de vacas melenudas que pastaban en la finca colindante; las famosas " Highland Coo ". Simpáticos bichos estos.
Una vez en el interior del castillo, un guía muy serio e impecablemente trajeado nos condujo por las diversas estancias, while giving brief explanations in English perfectly understandable.
In a lane, we pointed out an old wooden stool and told us to be careful because there used to sit the ghost of a boy who enjoyed making the trip to the visitors. Already
we had talked about the passion that the Scots by the legends and a good self-respecting castle, this is not going to be less.
a pity that did not stop to take pictures inside, but we recommend your visit here because it's really beautiful inside. Almost as much as outside.
As we did not have no visit on the roadmap, we decided to walk around the huge gardens that surrounded the castle. It was a lovely evening, of which feel like walking. And though it was a bit cool for the first time in our journey shone a bright sun that we did not want to miss.
It was nice to see as the sun's rays impinged on the pinnacle of Glamis Castle.
Here is a small sample of what those magnificent gardens, where you could walk in peace without fear abolute encounter with Edward Scissorhands.
if you wander a bit in the woods, you could find things as curious as this mini-cemetery where they were buried pets family.
After extensive tour around the castle grounds, we decided to resume their march.
When we got to where we had left the car, we are surprised to see that it was the only one who was there and gave him the greatest importance.
But we almost had a heart attack to reach the iron gate and see that it was closed, surrounded by a thick chain with a padlock no less gigantic.
my Mother. We were stuck in another fregao.
before calmly, got the car in search of an intercom or something to communicate but there was nothing.
Mari Carmen looked at me with frightened face as if to say that she planned to stay there to sleep knowing that there were ghosts. Me neither I enjoyed the idea of \u200b\u200bstaying in the car. Dimos
reverse search of someone who could help, but there there was not a soul.
After running a maze of small roads, a girl suddenly appeared cycling which asked if there was another exit. Kindly showed us a narrow path by which he could get away, but at the same time told us to hurry up because too often close by 6.
Fortunately, we found the door open and left there, as they say, fuck out.
learned a lesson that no one should forget if you intend to travel to Scotland and there, at 5 pm they close everything, including shops. Since that time, the only places where you can find traces of life is in pubs or at a gas station.
That
Ballater night we slept in a mountain village which was about 60 miles from where we were. We had to take the A93 which leads directly, but our GPS stubbornly take a "shortcut" and decided to ignore it.
Although the road (if you can call it that) was really narrow and could only be a car, we appreciated the decision of the pileup because the scenery was lovely the whole way. There were stretches where the grass grew to almost the height of the car and others that made an appearance with their small mountain elevations different shades of green.
The truth is that it was quite fun to drive there. Fortunately, in the 35 miles-long journey to return to the A93, we do not cross any car because I can not imagine how we would have managed to pass both. The fun would have nothing.
At 7 pm we Braemar, one of the most welcoming and beautiful towns in the area of \u200b\u200bGrampian & Moray and decided to make a rest stop.
Strolling through the streets reminded us once again the scenes of story in their houses with white shutters and landscaped gardens.
soon discover that the garden is a constant throughout Scotland and in the most remote of the most remote village house, are very sensitive to their homes exterior appearance.
But not only are the gardens that have so carefully. When we arrived at Ballater (our ultimate destination of the day) left our luggage at the hotel, we took another turn through the streets and we saw that the facades of shops were also full of charm.
Scottish peoples little resemblance to those here and this is not to say they are better or worse. They are simply different.
in any Scottish town no matter how small, poor church with its imposing needle. Religion is very present throughout the territory.
Indeed. One of the things to avoid is to confuse Scotland and England or discuss religious beliefs as Scots consider both a serious offense.
After walking to the edge of the River Dee, back to our beautiful hotel, which had previously been an old church and have now converted in a formidable way to provide accommodation to tourists.
This is the impressive entrance to the Auld Kirk Hotel :
If the deal had been good in bed & breakfast Edinburgh, here we have to say it was excellent and if not enough, we were given a room with fabulous views and a bathroom Very modern and avant-garde. Everything perfect, well, super clean.
Once in the room, we had a relaxing shower, I took a Scottish tea and then we got pa the body a few slices of bread with Nutella.
Before bed, we made a more positive assessment of our first day in Scotland, hoping that things do not decay.
At that time, yet we knew what we were expecting.
(Click on pictures to enlarge them) 
