Off The Rails
What a night! I wasn't sure I was going to get home alive. The trouble started at Perth train station. Once again the service from Glasgow Queen Street arrived minutes late so they wouldn't hold the connecting train to Inverness.
Once again, without apology, passengers were herded together and told to wait until taxis could be organised. I've endured this nightmare trip twice this year so my heart sank when a saloon car pulled up and they told us that three of us would have to squeeze in the back.
I caused a fuss...calls were made...a people carrier arrived and I got in beside three American backpackers.
But before we could set off, more taxis arrived outside the station and there was a foul-mouthed exchange of views between the drivers and the man from First Scotrail. All witnessed by the American tourists, of course.
Then we set off up the A9 where rain and fog didn't deter our driver from exceeeding trhe speed limit and over-taking at the very limits of the dual carrigeway stretches.
Still, I had a great conversation with one of the backpackers who introduced himself as Chris Oliver from Georgia. He had just graduated in business administration and he and his companions were spending 21 days touring Europe. They'd allocated one day for the north of Scotland and were determined to see Loch Ness. He showed me the scars on his arms - surgery after baseball injuries - and I fielded his various questions:
Chris: Do you guys believe in the Loch Ness Monster?
Me: No.
Chris: Are there wolves roaming wild here?
Me: No.
Chris: Killer snakes?
Me: Not really.
Chris: Where can I buy a farmer's bunnet?..
Actually I was a bit more expansive that my answers here suggest, but it was interesting to view Scotland through the eyes of a tourist. Apparently the dollar exchange rate is really hurting their budget, so I suggested a few restaurants in Inverness that wouldn't break the bank...including the famous Castle "snacker" on Castle Street.
And yes, Chris did want to sample haggis. Don't they all?
