OUR intrepid sports reporter David Hall writes for us from his overseas travels.
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After leaving our Warwick Hotel we got to the beautifully restored Warwick Castle, where an enthusiastic young guide gave us a detailed history of not only the castle, but various monarchs and rulers who had been and gone during its colourful history.
The inside of the castle was full of ancient relics in the magnificent Great Hall and State rooms, while the outside of the castle and surrounds were equally impressive.
It was then off to York, and like Oxford the previous day, it was like stepping back in time.
The superb York Minster towers over the town, which includes The Shambles, a street that used to be full of butcher shops and where some of the buildings on opposite sides of the street almost touch. Unfortunately no butcher shops remain in the street today.
The next day we visited the remains of Hadrians Wall - a wall that was used to protect the town back in Roman times. We also viewed the former home of Mary Queen of Scots and the grave of a former Australian airman whose plane was shot down close to the village in World War ll but only discovered many years later.
Undoubtedly the highlight of day was visiting Abbotsford House, home of legendary writer and poet, Sir Walter Scott.
Apart from his literary works, Scott was an avid collector of anything unusual, and his collection and home and library had to seen to be believed.
It was then off over the border to Scotland, via a bagpiper on the border, for two nights in Edinburgh.
The first night included a 'traditional Scottish night' at a local hotel and included highland dancers, a bagpiper, the Scottish champion accordion player and, of course, the 'Ceremony if the Haggis'.
We woke to overcast conditions for the tour of Holyrood Castle, the Queen's home when in Scotland (and the place to buy without doubt the world's best brownies).
From there we went up the Golden Mile to the famous Edinburgh Castle, where we saw many fascinating relics and also the Scottish crown jewels.
Unfortunately the weather remained a bit miserable as we left Edinburgh and travelled through Fife to St Andrews and the Royal and Ancient Golf Club where the Alfred Dunhill Cup was being played, however play had been delayed due to conditions, so we missed a chance to see any players.
The rain cleared after lunch as we went through Braemar, home of the Royal Highland Games and caught a glimpse of Balmoral Castle as we headed to our overnight stop at Scottish Highland capital, Inverness.
The highlands were truly stunning, but we really wanted a chance to see 'Nessie' at Loch Ness, but despite our best efforts, Nessie was nowhere to be seen.
We then went to Fort William, Loch Linnie and Glen Coe before diving over the wild Rannoch Moor to the 'Bonnie Banks' of Loch Lomond where we had a cries on the loch before our over night stop at Glasgow.