The Highland Near Miss

Way back in 2003, there was an interesting TV pilot that played called “Keen Eddie.” It starred a NYC cop named Eddie (Mark Valley) who got assigned to work at Scotland Yard. I guess you'd call it a “dramady” as it was quite funny.

In one episode Eddie is taking a bus to work and notices a cute female sitting nearby. They exchange smiles and both seem to be interested in each other. Eddie, who was standing in the aisle on the crowded bus doesn't take any action though. An older woman sitting next to where he stood looked up at him and said “why don't you talk to her?”  Eddie shakes his head, but smiles at the older woman. She scowled though and shook her head and says “wanker.”

I can understand why he didn't after all he was a stranger to the country plus he may not have wanted to seem rude to just talk up some random bus rider. Of course, I've mentioned numerous times how it's always the male who is expected to make First Contact, maybe Eddie just didn't want to.

I like to bring this up, not just because it's one of my favorite DVDs to watch (sadly, the series didn't get picked up), but also because I had a similar experience. Mine didn't happen on a London bus, but did happen up in Scotland. So pretty close.

My brother and I had taken my parents to England and Scotland as a 50th wedding anniversary gift. We rented a car in London and traveled from there through Wales and up to Scotland. So pretty much a grand tour of the U.K.

The rental car

My parents loved seeing the sights, in fact, my mother had never even been out of the US so it was a special treat for her. However, traveling with family is never easy. Especially my father and brother. Although I was the Black Sheep of the family, those two had a difficult time getting along. I remember many a long, raging argument between them as a teenager. Being in a small car traveling around all day with them was not much better even as an adult. 

"Rob Roy" at Glen Coe

So although I loved seeing all the beautiful scenery and places, it was also enjoyable if I could slip away from them now and then. I did this again (I don't think I'll bring up the other times) after we had gone to Glen Coe and stopped for the night at a friendly B&B in Glan Coe Village. Glen  Coe is a beautiful valley and later while watching my “Rob Roy” DVD I realized they did some filming there because of its stark beauty and solitude.

The Williams Clan at Glen Coe

Anyway, I told the Big Bro and the parental units that I was going for a walk, and headed out around the village. I accidentally stumbled upon this charming and intimate pub during my walk. Okay, it's possible I had noticed it during our driving around looking for the B&B. So I walked in, grabbed a pint and sat down at a small vacant table.

Not the actual pub, but similar

Sitting at a table across from me was an older couple who talked quietly to each other while sipping their beers. I had picked up some pamphlet when I walked in, so tried to look like I was studying it closely while enjoying my beer, thinking it might dissuade anyone from joining me. Within a few minutes two attractive females sat down at a table to the side of me. 

They talked merrily to each other and occasionally would glance at me. Likewise, I took one or two quick glances at them and also managed to give them a smile one time when our eyes locked. I took another sip of beer and noticed the old lady at the other table looking at me. I smiled back and she nodded her head toward the two females. I gave her another wry smile and took another sip, then looked down at the very interesting pamphlet. I'm pretty sure I noticed her roll her eyes and also think I heard her mutter under her breath to her husband “stupid Yank.” Maybe.

Lock Leven from the B&B

But what could I do? I was a stranger there, a tourist. More importantly, I was traveling with my family. What if I had hit it off with one of them and she wanted to go back to her place? Or maybe I could take her down to meet my folks and then look for another room at the B&B? Sure. Again, it boiled down to me having to make First Contact. I just couldn't see a scenario where that would be beneficial to me.

Of course looking back on it now with a few more years and relationships under my belt, I have second thoughts. Perhaps I should have taken the plunge. We could have had a pleasant non-relationship seeking conversation. Or even if I had hit it off I could have just got her address and said I'd write her later (this was before email and texting were a thing). 

I still enjoyed my stay at Glen Coe and yes, did manage to slip away at several other stops, but didn’t have any similar encounters. However, I still like to think back to that pub, and seem to slip there every time I watch “Keen Eddie” again and wonder "what if."

Ahhhh, James Thurber