Scotland

Once again, Scotland has turned on the sunshine and as we tour the length and breadth of of this beautiful country and we find our eyes dangerously drawn towards 'for sale' signs on highland cottages. A few days of normality, i.e. pouring rain, would no doubt wash away our idle daydreams but so far the early morning mists shrouding the mountains have cleared by midday and we've even been heard to complain about the heat as we clamber up heather clad hillsides towards some ruin or waterfall. Everywhere we look there is a stupendous view - mountains, lochs, deserted beaches - and for once we can actually see it. If there's one drawback it is that we seem to be sharing the view with half of Europe. Scots voices are very much in the minority in the pubs in the evening which makes conversation (and eavesdropping) so much more difficult.
We are very lucky to have generous relatives who have looked after us well and now, as we tour around, we are in the hands of the Bed and Breakfast Brigade.
If you are a planner and research everything on the internet and through TripAdvisor, well done and I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time once you've looked up from your mobile phone or computer.
For non planners, such as ourselves, B&B is a bit of a lottery- most of the time it will be fine, sometimes it will be good and very occasionally it will be dire.
Here one or two things we have learned.
Stop driving early in the day. You'll need to leave your B&B about 10, so plan on finding the next early to mid afternoon. Book in and then go and explore. If you leave things too late all those no vacancy signs will lead to an argument and spoil your trip.
The 4 stars on the sign don't necessarily mean anything. They may have been awarded years ago and by a now defunct agency.
Don't necessarily discount the modern house in favour of the cute traditional cottage. Once you're inside you'll be more concerned about whether the shower and toilet  are ensuite and work ok.
The owner of the B&B will always show you the room. Ask the price.Ask if it's a cooked or continental breakfast. If it's a continental ask what they mean by that. We had one which turned out to be a bowl of cereal and toast ('you can have as much toast as you like'!).
Are there tea and coffee making facilities?
Is there wifi?
You will almost certainly have to pay cash.
Mostly our B&B hosts have been great. Usually the proprietor is a woman but sometimes there is a kind of comedy double act with husband and wife.
Expect to pay (this year 2013) 35 pounds per person.

A word about breakfasts.
A 'Tradional Scottish Breakfast' is in no way a healthy start to the day. A plate of bacon, eggs, black pudding, haggis, square slice (Lorne sausage), sausages, tomato and mushrooms, baked beans and potato scones (and I mean all of it)  kick starts you into heart attack mode. That afternoon walk up the glen may very well finish you off.