Kelly and I are down to our final week abroad as I write this. Fortunately, we’re ending on a high note: cozy bed and breakfasts, dramatic Highland landscapes, and a road trip through some of Scotland’s most beautiful countryside. We’ve spent the last two days kicking off this final leg.

Yesterday started with a visit to Dunrobin Castle. We were surprised by the number of visitors at first, but once inside, it was easy to understand the appeal. The castle’s interior is filled with artifacts spanning centuries; it’s been home to the Sutherland family since the early 1300s. It’s crazy to think of one residence being passed down through so many generations.

Outside the castle, formal gardens opened out toward the North Sea. We hurried out to watch a falconry presentation featuring hawks and falcons. The show was great.

Next, we left the castle grounds and wandered straight into the nearby town of Golspie, where we picked up a scenic trail called the Big Burn Walk.

Our trip continued with a short stop in the nearby town of Dornoch, where we took a peek inside its local cathedral and read the dedications and stories on its many colorfully painted glass windows.

Our next hike took us up a mountain outside of Alness. The drive there was made up of narrow, single-track roads that might seem stressful, but are surprisingly calming. They’re only wide enough for one car at a time, and when you meet someone coming the other way, you simply pulls into a nearby passing place to let the other through. It’s a relaxed, focused kind of driving—you only have to pay attention to what’s directly in front of you.

The hike was gorgeous, just like the Big Burn walk.

At the top of the mountain was the Fyrish Monument. Interestingly, this monument was built simply to give work to Scottish laborers during the Highland Clearances.

The next day, we headed out to Loch Ness. The lake was honestly more beautiful than I expected, and once again, the drive was full of winding single-track roads, especially along the quieter east side.

We concluded the adventures for the day with a stop in Foyers to hike down and view its stunning waterfall.