Jul 16

We were scheduled to get up this morning at 5:30, but most of the leaders got up a little after 5:00. Of the Scouts, John was the only one up early, and he was pretty much packed by 5:30 when we turned on the lights for the rest of the group. We wanted a little extra time this morning to pack up and clean the hall before the Scout van arrived at 7:00 to take us to the train station. It turned out the Scouts were pretty quick getting up and ready this morning and we were pretty much ready almost a half hour early. It was raining again this morning (typical Scottish July) so we packed all our gear into the hallway while the hall itself was cleaned out.

By about 7:15 the Scout vans and trailer were all loaded and the hall locked up. We got to the train station, unpacked everyone with their luggage and commandeered a set of seats in the terminal while leaders went to pick up our tickets. By 8 am were were all organized and waiting for the train. We went through the gates about 8:10 and waited on the platform for the train which arrived shorty. No baggage car this time so we had to cram all our backpacks and luggage in the passenger cars. The train left on time at 8:33 for the 2 ½ hour trip to Inverness. After hitting Perth the conductor gave us heck for blocking an exit with luggage. He delayed the train while we reorganized. He wasn't very nice about it.

We had a Scottish couple sitting at the table with us. They were very nice and very helpful, describing items of interest along the trip, as well as just being very friendly and chatty. They got off the train at Perth and two elderly gentlemen took there seats, and we had much the same response from them. Very friendly and chatty. Also very knowledgeable about good places to visit and such along the route to Inverness.

When we got to Inverness there was a couple at the train station waiting for us. They moved some of the packs up to the hall in the back of their car while we all walked up the hill. The Scout hall is quite close to downtown and just a short walk with packs on. At the hall they had workmen just finishing up the gym windows, which were being replaced. This is a very nice hall, with the gym, kitchen, showers, and even a couple private rooms which 6 of our leaders opted for. They say it was because the kids make too much noise. I say it's because they snore. We'll just agree to disagree.

We had pretty much a free day today with no real plans, so the Scouts enjoyed a good hour or so on the playground outside the Scout house. Lots of spinning apparatus in the playground for them to amuse themselves. It's no fun until someone gets injured or pukes! Nothing serious.

After some good energy was burned off in the playground we all set off downtown on foot to do some looking around and some shopping. The Scouts were allowed again to break up into small groups, to meet up again at the River Ness at 5:30. Many of them bought a variety of items again from hats, to shoes, to toys and more toys. I'm sure some useful souvenirs made it in there somewhere.

Everyone was pretty much all on time meeting at the bridge so we all walked over the bridge to the Ceol-Mor pub for dinner. Some decent food, but not a very big menu to choose from. Best of all, for the Scouts anyway, free wifi for the iPods and Iron Brew. For those who don't know, Irn Bru tastes a lot like orange soda to me.

After the pub it was very windy and starting to get chilly so about ½ the group decided to walk back to the hall (apparently to play on the playground) while the other half went for a nice walk along the river and through the park before heading back.

The Scouts remained outside in the playground until about 10:30, which was when it starts getting dark. So it was a little bit late getting to bed tonight (11:45 pm) but we have no fixed plans early tomorrow morning so we can sleep in.