This could also be termed hop on, hop off the bus day and this is our shuttle, which just manages to carry 18 of us plus our driver Auggie.

After about a 30-minute bus ride, our first stop is at a farm to see a Highland cow. There’s only a couple there and actually we have a farm near us at home with more than this. But we got to visit a gift shop while there too.

Back on the bus and we learn that Scotland is big on renewable energy. Wind farms currently provide all domestic energy. Our next stop is at the cemetery where Rob Roy McGregor is buried. Born in 1671, Rob Roy was still fighting duels in his 60s. While he was considered something of a Robin Hood, the term “blackmail”may have originated with him because he took “black cattle”instead of “silver coin” in trade for providing protection.

This is actually the McLaren family cemetery and church.

We see the grave of Rob Roy, his wife, and two sons.

A few more of the old stones in the cemetery.

The next stop is for a hike and on the way there we see a viaduct which later we will walk across.

Our 4 1/2 mile hike today is on mostly gravel with some pavement. Along the way we learn there are 5 million people and 6 1/2 million sheep in Scotland.

This is Butterwort growing on the rocks which actually attracts and traps midges on its leaves. So far, we have still been lucky enough to avoid them.

There are several small areas of running water along the trail. So between all the greenery and water, this was the “Jurassic Park” walk today.

Looking across the hillside.

On the trail.

Rest stop.

Another waterfall.

Near the end of our walk we see Loch Earn in the distance.

Another cottage.

Some of the assortment of wild blackberries and raspberries the kids ate along the way.

At the end of our walk we shuttled to the Bridge of Orchy Hotel for lunch. This was very much Scottish-influenced food. Ross had the dreaded five-bean burger and I had haggis wrapped in chicken. Ate some of the chicken.

After lunch we are in the shuttle again and on a busy two-lane highway, the A82, which takes us across Rannoch Moor and through what is probably the most scenic area of Scotland and potentially, the highlight of our total tour. Our first destination of the afternoon is a peat bog and on the way there, our guide told us about a Roman Legion of 1000 men who disappeared just north of Hadrian’s wall. It’s still unknown, what actually happened to them. They just disappeared. So, now well steeped in the mystery and atmosphere of Scotland, we start our hike across the peat bog.

One of three types of heather found here, just starting to bloom.

Cat shows us a sample of all three types.

Part of the trail through the peat bog.

Our group up on a hill with some of the 282 Munro peaks in the distance.

On top of the hill.

Looking down from the hill.

Back in the shuttle we drive by Buachaille Etive Mòr, one of the best known Munro peaks. It’s in the clouds today.

Getting close to Glencoe, we stop to look at the Three Sisters, also known as Bidean Nam Bian. Only two make it into this photo.

Us in front of the Three Sisters.

Our lodging for the next two nights is at the somewhat rustic and multi-sectioned Clachaig, an old coaching inn dating back to the 16th century. In the days of travel by horse and stagecoach, these inns were located about seven miles apart to allow for changes in horses and food and overnight accommodations for travelers.

Off the shuttle, we gather to get room assignments.

This is the welcoming sign at reception.

Our room. We had to check out everybody’s rooms. Each was different, different bathroom setup, different size window.

Here, we’re trying to see how many of us fit in one of the bathrooms.

Crazy locations, up and down stairs, different hallways, etc. I think the kids thought it was somewhat charming and the history of the place is redeeming, but we thought the bed was pretty miserable and possibly a relic of the 16th century.

Dinner was at the Clachaig. Tomorrow is the Devil’s Staircase. The map below shows our travels today from Rob Roy’s Grave – above The Trossachs Pier circled in the lower right of the map – to the Bridge of Orchy, Rannoch Moor and Glencoe along A82.