Rest Day 2 🤣🤣

We woke up after a great sleep at Joyce and Allan’s to a delicious breakfast of fruit, cereal, yoghurt, toast with all the toppings (including some delicious honey from Allan’s father’s stockpile), tea, and coffee. We had mentioned that we might stop off at the Wallace monument in Stirling on the way back to Glasgow. Joyce and Allan very generously offered to drop us off there. We took them up on it, though had we known just how far it was from their place, we might not have. It was very kind of them to drive us that far on their very busy day. At the monument car park they sent us off with a warm goodbye before heading back home. We miss them already....

Selfie At Wallace Monument

The Wallace Monument is a 67 metre tower on the shoulder of the Abbey Craig, a hilltop overlooking Stirling in Scotland. It commemorates Sir William Wallace, a 13th- and 14th-century Scottish hero. Wallace was a Scottish knight who became one of the main leaders during the First War of Scottish Independence.  We started the walk up the Abbey Craig trail, which has several informative stops describing Scottish history. The monument itself is a beautiful stone structure situated in a gorgeous location. We started up the spiral staircase which was quite narrow and windy. Thankfully there were three exhibition rooms within the body of the tower where we could stop, catch our breath, and learn a bit more about Sir William Wallace. Two hundred and sixty-four stairs later we made it to the observation deck which has stunning 360-degree views of the area. From that vantage point it was clear to us why Wallace used that spot to keep an eye out for the English, and how it would have helped the Scots win the battle of Stirling Bridge. After taking in the views, and snapping a few pictures we headed back down, and walked a few kilometres down to the Stirling train station for the ride back to Glasgow.

Fun On the Way Up Abbey Craigs

On Top Of Abbey Craig At The Bottom Of Wallace Monument

Wallace Monument Stairwell

View Towards Blairdenon Hill From The Top Of Wallace Monument

As we headed back to Glasgow for the evening the reality of our predicament started to creep back in to our consciousness. We started reaching back out to the airport and to Westjet to ensure our packs would be arriving tomorrow, and that we could pick them up as soon as they arrive. One of the most frustrating parts of this has been the lack of human contact with the parties responsible. The absence of care and regret for the effects of their mistakes on other people’s lives is staggering. The strategy to make it virtually impossible to get answers or resolution is more than infuriating. After several hours of unanswered calls, and computer-generated responses I decided to head to the airport to see if I could get anybody to talk to me. After a few inquiries I did manage to find an employee who works for the company at the airport that handles missing luggage. He was actually willing to help us, and will be meeting us in the morning around 8:30 when the packs are scheduled to arrive. I was very thankful for his help, and provided the packs arrive, we could be back in business early tomorrow. Worst case would be the packs are not on the flight, and our trip is dead in the water. Obviously I am hoping for the former...
When I got back from the airport we headed out for dinner at a pub just up the road. We both ordered steak pie with mash, and it was delicious!! 

Yummy Steak Pie!!

David McKellar At MacSorley’s Pub - Glasgow

As we finished up a musician hit the stage, so I ordered a Guiness, and we stayed and enjoyed his first set which included The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, Jason Mraz, Ed Sheeran, Prince, to name a few. It was an eclectic mix, and it was very enjoyable!
We are now back at the hotel, watching some TV, and anxiously awaiting whatever tomorrow brings. There are too many scenarios to list here but the best case one would have us getting to Torridon tomorrow afternoon, and potentially getting a couple hours of walking behind us. If there is no update tomorrow, this is what has happened. If not, I will post another update in the evening. Thank you all for the messages of support we have been receiving, and for all of your positive thoughts these past few days. They have all been very much appreciated!!