Has it Really Only Been Two Days?

Bit of a whirlwind these last few days...

Day 1:
Kinda flowed from Day 0 - as there were people laughing and yelling outside my window til my wake-up time of 5 am on Day 1. Grabbed a shower and some coffee, toast and cheese and hauled my bags the short walk to the train station (I love being centrally located!)
The train schedule online told me the train was leaving at 7:04, so naturally I got to the platform with my pre-booked ticket that I just printed at one of the station's machines (so easy) about 10 minutes early. Looking at the info boards and noticed that the Gatwick Airport train was scheduled to leave at 7:35...so the waiting begins... Finally grabbed the train to Gatwick Airport - Hopped a lovely little cheapo flight to Inverness through Easy Jet - Grabbed a bus from the Airport to the City Centre - Rocked around Inverness for the afternoon - Hopped a Bus to Invergarry - Rocked out at Invergarry Lodge for the night.

The view over Scotland. May 2011. 

Scotland. May 2011.

Inverness, Scotland. May 2011.

With Inverness Castle behind me. May 2011.

Inverness Castle. May 2011.

What a great hostel! Easily accessible from the road - only a 10 min walk from the bus stop - you can't miss the place - big sign on the front that can be seen from the main road. Run by Matt and Jenny - I had the pleasure of meeting Matt when I got in - thanks for taking the time to chat with me!
The hostel itself is clean, inviting and spacious. Ample room in the kitchen for several people to cook, hang, use counters, etc. My room slept 4, and had more than enough space for everyone. Comfy beds, I slept like a log. :) Travel/Walking/Hiking/Activity info is available on central bulletin boards, and everyone I spoke to was more than happy to help - at the hostel, and also in "town" (aka. the gas station).
Beautiful countryside surrounds the Lodge, and it has great access to many hikes/walks.

The view from Invergarry Lodge. May 2011.

I didn't get the chance to go for a hike, though I'd love to make my way back up there and do a hike or two - especially the 7 miles up to Fort Agustus.

Day 2:
Wandered round Invergarry, realized that I should've planned a little walk (everyone goes for walks here...also known as a hike!), rather than rely on my memory to remember what the "town" was like...I swear there was a neat little village just here....oh...that's 7 MILES down the road? Oops...
Hopped a bus to Fort William - where I am now...at my buddy's parents' house.  Wind howling, rain blowing in from all directions, and I'm nice and dry in a warm house with tea being offered every 20 minutes. I have had nothing but warm, friendly hospitality from everyone I've come across in Scotland, every shop and coffee shop, pub, store - they've all been helpful and polite.
Tomorrow I'll grab a train down to Glasgow, find a place to stay for the night. Then it's Edinburgh for Sunday and possibly Monday night.

My room at Invergarry Lodge. May 2011.

Just me and my pack...hangin' out on the side of a Scottish road...downtown Invergarry. May 2011.