Scotland: Day 7

We tried to check out of our B&B this morning but were told we'd be charged for the night if we did, since we said we'd be there for three nights. Oh well. We decided that one more night in Pitlochry wouldn't kill us.

Otherwise, I'd have to say that today was my favorite day yet! We started the day by heading to Leault Farm to watch renowned sheepdog herder Neil Ross give a sheepdog demonstration. It was amazing!!! I don't know how to explain it except to say that sheepherding is an art - he had about 15 border collies out there and talked to each one in a different way to get it to do what he wanted it to do. Absolutely incredible! During the show, Stephen got to help him shear a sheep (see photo above), and after the show, we got to play with all of the border collie puppies. Of course, it made us homesick for Costa and Cosmo, but it was a blast.

Afterwards, we headed up to CairnGorm Mountain...instead of climbing up, we took a train. They tell you there is a great restaurant up there and when we get there, we discover it's a cafeteria. The story of our lives! But...the view was amazing, even if it was cold as hell.

We came back down and stopped at Loch Insh to walk on the beach (it had real sand, just like a beach) before heading back to Pitlochry. We stopped for tea at The Old Armoury and later, had dinner a restaurant that actually gave good service (the server was Russian, not Scottish). We then went to check the weather channel at an internet cafe before heading back to the room for an early night in.