Heading south down Scotlandโs dramatic west coast, we stumbled upon an unexpected showstopper, Castle Stalker. Perched defiantly on a tidal islet in Loch Laich, this four-storey keep is as cinematic as it is historic. Its Gaelic name Stalcaire means โhunterโ or โfalconer,โ a fitting title for such a formidable structure. For film buffs, Castle Stalker might spark recognition; it appeared in Monty Python and the Holy Grail, adding pop culture punch to its medieval gravitas.
With moody skies overhead and still waters below, the scene felt pulled from a film reel. No guided tours or tourist buses, just us and a centuries-old silhouette standing guard over the loch.
Carnasserie Castle: Silence and Solitude
Continuing south, we chanced upon another treasure: Carnasserie Castle, a 16th-century tower house near Kilmartin. While other historic sites bustle with selfie sticks and tour groups, Carnasserie was hauntingly quiet, abandoned but not forgotten. We explored the crumbling stonework alone, climbing narrow staircases and peering through arrow slits into the wild Scottish landscape. Read more about this visit, here.
Through Scotlandโs Storybook Countryside
The drive through Argyllโs countryside is something you donโt just take, you feel it. Narrow, winding roads snake between rolling green hills, the kind that seem to stretch forever, broken only by the occasional stone wall and the glint of a loch beyond. Itโs the kind of landscape that begs you to slow down, partly because the roads demand it, and partly because your soul does.
Sheep wander across the roads with a complete disregard for traffic, stopping wherever they pleased, unfazed by the car or the camera. On more than one occasion we paused, laughing, as a woolly local took its time crossing the road like it owned the place, and maybe it did. Ancient rock walls bordered the fields, moss-covered and weather-worn, standing quietly as they have for centuries.
Thereโs a stillness here. Not silence, but a kind of peaceful hum made up of rustling grass, distant bleating, and the whisper of tyres over damp roads. Itโs not just a drive; itโs a journey through a living postcard, one curve and crest at a time. A Scottish countryside drive like this isnโt just scenic, itโs an experience etched into memory.
Ederline House: A Highland Stay to Remember
After a day of castles and countryside, our arrival at Ederline House Bed & Breakfast felt like something out of a storybook. Tucked away on a 13,000-acre working estate, this grand white house sits proudly atop a hill, overlooking a loch with views that steal your breath. Louise Connolly had booked it on a whim, unaware of its Downton Abbey-level grandeur.
Down a maze of rural roads in the twilight rain, we finally arrived. Half a dozen cars were parked neatly in the gravel driveway, like guests at a dinner party, yet not a single soul was in sight. The windows were fogged, rain misted the air, and behind thick curtains, the faint murmur of voices hinted at life within. It felt like the opening scene of a mystery, and I half-expected Tim Curry to appear in the hallway, candlestick in hand, ready to announce the first clue.
Our room was spacious, elegant, and distinctly British, with crisp cotton sheets, a super-king bed, and windows framing the loch like living paintings. The ensuite shower room featured twin basins and a luxurious walk-in shower. Every corner was thoughtfully styled, from the fluffy towels to the electric blanket ready to chase away the chill.
A roaring fire in the guest lounge warmed us after our journey, while the conservatory-turned-dining-room offered the perfect setting for a breakfast of fresh fruit salad, croissants, and hot coffee the next morning. The hosts, Willa and Angus, embody Scottish hospitality; warm, gracious, and clearly passionate about sharing the beauty of their home.
This wasnโt just a stay, it was an experience. Ederline House offered a taste of aristocratic Scotland, where time slows down and silence speaks volumes. Between ancient castles and noble estates, this leg of the journey carved its way into our memories; unexpected, unfiltered, and utterly unforgettable.
