ultural events abound From page 36 the website tor details). And while Seodand’s major cities oof Glasgow and Edinburgh are oon every tourists’ itinerary, it is rural Scotland which conveys the true nature of the country. For example, the seaside town of Wick is a remarkable place to base your northern travels of the Caithness region. Just a 15 minute drive trom John o’Groats — the site of summertime ferry service to the Orkney Islands — Wick is as interesting as it is sleepy. All we could find open after 5 p.m, one weeknight fast fall was a fish and chip shop and a liquor store. (Suffice to say we weren’t too disappointed...). Walking around as dusk set- tled over the grev stone town centre, it was difficulr to imag- ine the bustle and people that were once in Wick when it was Britain’s largest herring port in the early 19th century). MacKay’s Hotel is well advertised as “Wick’s principle horel”, and is located such that once you park your car all points of interest are within easy walking distance. I wouldn't recommend + week here, but a two day visit is well worth the drive north. Another interesting, and equally quict locale - is Ballachulish, situated a few kilometres south of Fort William on the west side of Scorland’s mainland. In the summer Ballachulish is typically a place Ip. stop for lunch on the tourist-lined roadway between Oban and Fort William, and in the winter it is a good place to base your- self when skiing in the Nevis Range. (Okay, so it’s not Whistler, but this is Scotland, after all). However, like Whistler, Ballachulish offers a surprising- ly wide range of accommoda- tions. For the budget minded there are a number of bed and breakfasts, including the excel- lent Craiglinnhe Guest House, run by a young Dutch couple. Just down the road from the Craiglinnhe House is the beautiful Ballachulish Inn, a high-end sandstone hotel situ- fy north sher _-PRAVEL NE aaa ews AUTOMOTIVE DEROSA _ISERVICES LTD. —- COMPUTERIZED ALIGNMENT 5 STAR SERVICE | FOR COMPLETE AUTO REPAIRS | OF ALL MAKES & MODELS Karen McCredie photo THE Ballachulish Hotel has provided spectacular views to its guest for more than a century. The elegant Scottish baronial hotel sits on the banks of Loch Leven. ated at the south end of Ballachulish Bridge. Sitting in the hotel's lounge ona sunny fall afternoon, tak- ing in the beautiful lake and mountains (and a wee dram, perhaps), one gets the sense of slipping back in time to an age when clan chieftains and their folk made loud entrances through the hotel lobby, and the sound of horse hoofs and wooden wheels — echoed through the valley. Those images were sudden- ly, and loudly, shattered when an RAF jet fighter serceched down the glen and over the Ballachulish Bridge. “Happens every day at four o'clock,” the barman shrugged. That’s Scotland circa 1999. Visions of the past swirl with the modern world of today. North Vancouver Conditions apply. pr Pricert par person en Vancouver, Bis and 7 nights accommodation at the Eden Lorete 5 stor ofl Gift vouchers available 1305 Lonsdale Ave., Park Royal North, West Vancouver 973-1649 All locotions aro cegistered with the B.C. virco as faxes mey cpply New & Used Hyundai Parts plus SINGAPORE §5 Nights including airfare, hotels, tours plus some meals. p.p. share ....... $1399 SEAT SALE to AFRICA JOHANNESBURG or CAPE TOWN or DURBAN via LONDGN pihahinddasnshdalanaaniaah Li 595 Solve your litter problems in the Classifieds 14 hours 4 day, 7 days a week 1716 Marina Drive WastVancouver, BC eer ae SoTvavel Europe. this Year 360° from ordinary?" sular'way of visiting Europe sors Agvétituie Wihie asiing - -Cilinary jours, - Golf in EUR. “ : In Fraj pkg from 5999p. 4 "Sa At Sunday;. January, 3T at Rog way Trave BB yal. South. - " black tower] * away @direct.ca ne: want to miss! ytravel:com FoR THE F UN oF iT AND THE @lyhy oF it! For more fun under the warm Southern Colifornia sun, take a Disneyland isneyland vocation to Disneylands Park. Enjoy great attractions, shows, parades, and fovorite Disney Characters. And with the 3- or 5-Day Disneylond» Flex Passport, you'll get more days of fun. Call 1-800-315-3824 or your travel agent. www.disneyland.com Attraction and entertoinment schedules may vary. For more information, coll (714)781-4565. ©Disnay