On Sunday evening, my Mum, Dad, Sister and I went along to the Christmas Lights switch on at Loch Lomond Shores.  For most people, visiting Loch Lomond is a big day out, but it only take us about 10 minutes to get there by car - and my Sister and I used to work there in Jenners (owned by House of Fraser).  So I suppose we aren't as excited by it!  But if you aren't from Scotland and would like to know a bit more about Loch Lomond click here.  It was a really nice evening out. I went into Jenners and caught up with some of the girls I used to work with, which was nice because I haven't seen them for so long.  Then the four of us went along to the Cafe to have coffees and cakes (I had hot chocolate with marshmallows and cream - it was lovely!).  There was a lot of stuff going on outside, but I couldn't really manage standing outside for too long in crowds on my crutches.  There were a few fairground rides, a stage set up with entertainment and my favourite! - little stalls from local farms which always have lovely fresh food.

Loch Lomond on a rare sunny day.  Image not mine.  Sourced from Council Website. (Shops and National Park Centre are behind the photographer)
We didn't venture outside until it was almost time for the lights to be switched on.  It was absolutely freezing, but I suppose that was to be expected being right on the water.  I was all wrapped up in my new navy blue coat and my reindeer print bobble hat, but I  was still so cold!  The actual light switch on was a bit anti-climatic to be honest.  Obviously all the funds had gone into making it a great day out rather than buying spectacular lights.  I didn't have a chance to get a picture of them, because as soon as they were switched on the fireworks started - and I wanted to get pictures of them.  I'll put in some of my favourites here!


Just before the lights got switched on, we caught a quick set by the Scottish band Skerryvore (link to their site here).  They were surprisingly good, well I thought they were anyway!  I quite like Scottish music, although it's not something I always gravitate towards listening to on an everyday basis.  It's the only way that I can listen to and enjoy bagpipes (yes I did say I enjoy bagpipes sometimes).  Most people think Ross from Friends or some other atrocious death march when they think of bagpipes.  But, if you give this a listen it just might prove that they're not always bad!  It makes me feel all patriotic, which is maybe a bit weird, but oh well.  Sorry for the dodgy camera-manning, but I was trying to balance on one foot; if you get motion sickness - close your eyes!


On the way out, we stopped at an Aberdeen Angus burger stall for dinner.  I'm not a fan of red meat day-to-day, but I tend to enjoy it more the fresher the meat is.  So as this meat had came directly from a farm it was amazing!  I had a little bit of cheese and a dollop of tomato sauce on mine.  A yummy end to the day.


As soon as I got home, it was straight in a warm bubble bath with my new Yankee Candle, Christmas Eve burning, to rest my sore upper body muscles from carting myself about for a few hours.  My arms and back are still a bit sore today - so I think that calls for another bubble bath!  I'm so excited for Christmas, it's definitely my favourite time of year, and this little outing has just made me even more excited!