Wiltey July 14 1918
Dear Mother:-
Well since writing last I have been on leave again, this time to see Scotland and I certainly did have a dandy time. Almost better than I had in Wales. Here is an idea of the trip. I was in Edinburgh one day and two nights and I spent the rest of my leave in the Highlands. I was up to stirling and though the castle, also to the fields of Bannockburn and Stirling Bridge. Then I went on to Callander where we got a coach for and went around Ben Ledi, & Ben Venne along the shores of Loch Vennacher and Loch Achray, across the Brigo's Turk, through the Trossachs to Loch Katrine. We took a boat down Loch Katrine but stopped at Ellen's Isle and picked some heather. At the other end of Loch Katrine is the Stronachlacher Hotel where we got a coach for Inversnaid, on Loch Lomand. Here we visited a cave which was the headquarters of Rob Ray while he was an outlaw. Then we took a boat down Loch Lomond to Balloch and took a train for Glasgow where I stayed a short time and went to London and spent a day then returning to camp. I had one dandy time. I met a Canadian Nurse from Montreal on the trip from Stronachlacher to Balloch and you have no idea how pleasant it was to speak to a Canadian girl again. She was the first one I've seen yet since there are no hospitals around camp.
Then when I got back I was put on draft and was to leave for France tomorrow night. They knew I was under age and were going to me since I was the only available wireless signaller but this morning they dropped me off since they got another. It sure was a big dissapointment as I was on draft for the Field Artillery and I suppose I won't have a chance like that again. I suppose I'll be stuck in the Siege now. I was all ready to go, had all my extra clothing turned into the stores and was going and expecting to write in a couple of day from "Somewhere in France" but now it means two more months before I'm 19 and then a couple of months being put on draft I suppose.
My address at present is Reserve Battery, C.G.A, Witley etc. but I don't know whether it is permanent or not and won't know for some days yet.
Am enclosing some heather from Loch Katrine & Ellens Isle.
It has been raining for nearly a week now and I am fairly well soaked. My tunic is wet all the time.
Iam enclosing a picture I had taken on leave. The fact that I was leave accounts for the polish on my boots, also for the fact that my hair was brushed.
Well I will close now.
Lovingly
Ludlow