Day 6 and 7 – Scotland and day at sea

It is Sunday, and as I write this we are steaming through the North Atlantic toward the coast of Norway. There is not much to see through the fog, but plenty to do aboard ship. I’ll spend an hour in the golf simulator later today. (Does that make me a simulated golfer?)
Yesterday was the day for the Scottish experience. “Landscapes, Lochs and sheepdogs” were the order of the day as we were ushered to our bus by a bagpiper and a “committee” of friendly Scots. The landscape was lush and lovely, with an abundance of sheep on the slopes and hills. There is no doubt why this part of the world is called the Emerald Isle! I am convinced that the devil planted the hedgerows along every road just to torment photographers! The trees are so close that they brush the sides of the bus, with infrequent gaps that fool you into thinking you might take a picture.
Our first stop was at the Scottish Wool Center where we were treated to a delightful demonstration of Border Collies herding ducks through an obstacle course. That was followed by several volunteers trying to herd the same ducks through the same course. Guess which did better? We learned a great deal from the shepherd about the five varieties of sheep in Scotland, some bred for coarse wool used in rugs, some with fine wool used for clothing (I bought a sweater), and some bred for meat. The wool from a lamb brings $2, while the meat from that same lamb would bring upwards of $160!! Needless to say, the lamb bred for quality meat carries the day!
After lunch at a wayside hotel, our next stop was at Loch Lomand – the very same Loch of the “Bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomand”. It is a beautiful 27 mile long by 5 mile wide lake with a number of picturesque castles along its banks, and we enjoyed them all on a 45 minute cruise aboard a sightseeing streamship.
A very fast bus ride back to the pier returned us to the Jewel of the Seas just in time for “all aboard”. An entire Pipe band welcomed us back, and within 15 minutes of our return we were underway!
See you next in Norway!!!