The stunning beauty of Loch Lomond was our next destination. We stopped for a quick break at Luss Campsite and strolled along Firkin Point, taking in the serene landscapes and listening to the babbling brook.

We then drove through the picturesque Glencoe valley, a location steeped in history and drama. 

It’s a journey through some of Scotland’s most ancient and beautiful terrain, making you feel as if you’ve stepped into a movie set or a dream. 

Skyfall Road, also known as the A82, is one of Scotland’s most dramatic and scenic routes, winding through the valley. The road became internationally famous after being featured in the James Bond movie Skyfall, where its rugged, cinematic landscapes were the perfect backdrop for one of the film’s most memorable scenes.

The road is basically a large bike path with small passing places for oncoming traffic. Exhilarating and scary at times, my knuckles were white while gripping the steering wheel and intently staring ahead for oncoming traffic.

Completely worth it!!! Ricci played Skyfall by Adele and it was EVERYTHING! It was kind of badass to have the thrilling experience.

That afternoon we boarded The Jacobite Steam Train, often referred to as the “Hogwarts Express” from the Harry Potter films, which runs between Fort William and Mallaig on Scotland’s West Coast.

The train takes passengers through scenic landscapes, with views of lochs, mountains, and the dramatic coastline. One of the most iconic sections of the journey is when the train crosses the Glenfinnan Viaduct, a curved railway bridge that has become a symbol of the wizarding world in the Harry Potter movies.

While the train was a fun experience, there were a few things that could have made it better. The stop in Mallaig was shy of two hours and we wanted to grab lunch. To our surprise, most restaurants were closed or closing when the train arrived. There were lots of hungry tourists hoping to snag a table at the only restaurant we could find open. The cullen skink soup was delicious but I recommend eating ahead of time or prepare to wait. 

If the point was to feel like you’re on the train to Hogwarts, they could have played into the Harry Potter theme more. There was a small cart with items for sale like you see in the film, but the items for sale seemed cheesy. 

We enjoyed a bottle of champagne compliments of Ricci, to celebrate our one year wedding anniversary. It was a highlight of the ride and complimented the beautiful scenery. Cheers!

That evening, we stayed at the historic Drovers Inn, and indulged in a delicious meal while soaking up the eerie atmosphere of this centuries-old establishment. Everyone tried the haggis, but I was the only one that enjoyed it. It came with a peppercorn sauce that elevated it from the haggis I’ve tried before. Or maybe it masked the haggis flavor. Either way, I’d eat it again.

The hotel has a haunted room that can be reserved and obviously I booked it. Nothing really scary happened, however, while getting ready for bed Caylin’s phone battery drained instantly as soon as he plugged it into the charger. That was odd!

Then, I woke up to hear the door handle jiggling in the middle of the night. It lasted for about 10 seconds. A mix of laziness and fear kept me from leaving the bed to investigate. Nonetheless, that seemed minor after reading about the experiences other guests had.