We pick up some breakfast at the nearby Tesco and drive over to the Kelpies. The 30 metre high sculptures depict two water spirits in the form of horses, known as Kelpies. In Scottish legends, they offer to carry travellers and others across rivers or lakes on their backs. Instead, the Kelpies drag them into the depths and eat them. Fortunately, these two don’t seem to be hungry at the moment. In any case, we really like the statues. It’s only fitting that they stand in the water and can also be reached by water via a canal with swing bridges.

Next, we head to Stirling Castle. From around 1100 to 1685, the castle, perched high above the town, was one of the main residences of the Scottish monarchs. Over the years, the castle was repeatedly captured by English troops and recaptured by the Scots – partly due to its strategically important location. Most of the buildings we see today date from the 15th and 16th centuries. The complex is huge! And quite labyrinthine. There is something to discover everywhere, and the view from the ramparts stretches for miles. Also of interest are the many tapestries featuring unicorn motifs and the coat of arms of Robert I of Scotland, bearing a red lion on a gold background. With its blue claws and blue tongue, it looks practically identical to the old coat of arms of the Habsburgs in Switzerland/Germany/Austria. We round off our visit with a lovely lunch in the castle café.

Having spotted the Wallace Monument in the distance from several points in the castle, we decide to drive there. The tower, with its distinctive roof structure, commemorates the Scottish freedom fighter William Wallace. However, we discover that neither the long footpath nor the shuttle bus is accessible by wheelchair, so we decide not to visit it up close.

Instead, we head towards Loch Lomond and stop off there. No, not at Captain Haddock’s favourite whisky distillery from the Adventures of Tintin, but at a farm shop. Here we stop for a relaxing afternoon snack of ice cream, milkshakes and fresh fruit. In the distance, Highland cows are grazing – hopefully we’ll see more of them on our journey.

As the traffic heading back to the hotel is still heavily congested, we carry on in the other direction. Before long, we come across the village of Luss and its little pier jutting out into the lake. Everything here would be picturesque and peaceful, were it not for the wannabe machos on their jet skis. They make a racket that’s really quite out of place in this area.

All that’s left to do at the hotel is to get something for dinner. It’s not a difficult choice: at this time on a Sunday, the only place still open is the Subway in the nearby petrol station shop. So that’s that sorted. I’m delighted with the fantastic selection of drinks at the shop – and make the most of it.