Tag: Isle of Skye

Day 20 – Glenbrittle to Gairloch

A long drive today, about 150 miles,  so we made an early start… and a good job we did.  So much to see as we headed from the Isle of Skye back on the Scottish mainland.

 

Photo of the day

Coastal Road Trip, Loch Maree
Slioch reflecting in Loch Maree

 

Glenbrittle

Coastal Road Trip, Glenbrittle, Fairy Pools, Waterfall, Julian, Jarno
After first stopping at Glen Brittle Bay we headed back to the Fairy Pools, got on our waterproofs and headed out… we were going to get VERY wet in the driving rain.
Coastal Road Trip, Glenbrittle, Fairy Pools, Waterfall, Jarno
Stepping stones along the hike to the the Fairy Pools.
Coastal Road Trip, Glenbrittle, Fairy Pools, Waterfall
I’m not sure what was wetter, us or the rocks.
Coastal Road Trip, Glenbrittle, Fairy Pools, Waterfall
Despite the pouring rain the tiers of waterfall were still hypnotising to watch.

 

Loch Carron

Coastal Road Trip, Loch Carron, South Strome Picnic Site
Heading back on to the mainland we looped around Loch Carron on the A890, and managed a few pics at the South Strome picnic stop, before the clouds descended again.
Coastal Road Trip, Loch Carron, A896, Waterfall
Another waterfall along the side of the road, just past Loch Carron heading to Kishorn.

 

Pass of the Cattle

Coastal Road Trip, Pass of the Cattle, Bealach na Bà, Bridge
The start of the small windy road over the Pass of the Cattle (AKA Bealach na Bà), more waterfalls!
Coastal Road Trip, Pass of the Cattle, Bealach na Bà, Bridge, Julian, Jarno
For the next hour our so the scenery was so dramatic, and the clouds somehow added to that.
Coastal Road Trip, Pass of the Cattle, Bealach na Bà, Bridge, East
Looking back down the east side of the Pass of the Cattle, you can see the road we had just come up, snaking its way down to Loch Kishorn in the distance.
Coastal Road Trip, Pass of the Cattle, Bealach na Bà, Bridge, Top, AA, Viewpoint
Reached the viewpoint at the top.  Today the only view was the thick dark clouds.  Our fellow road trippers seemed to be mainly made up of motorbikers and people trying out their new sports cars, as we pootled along in our SUV.
Coastal Road Trip, Pass of the Cattle, Bealach na Bà, West
And heading back down the west side towards Applecross and the Inner Sound.

 

Callakille

Coastal Road Trip, Callakille, Lonbain
Driving north from Applecross, Lonbain and Callakille the coastline turned flatter, with gentler slopes down to the sound.
Coastal Road Trip, Rona Lighthouse
As we drove along we could glimpse the east side of Raasay and South Rona (plus its lighthouse), and in the far distance The Isle of Skye that we’d only left this morning.

 

Loch Torridon

Coastal Road Trip, Loch Torridon, Kenmore
And the scenery changed again as the road hugged the steep mountainside near Kenmore…
Coastal Road Trip, Loch Torridon, Kenmore
…and more of Loch Torridon came into view.  The roads were so so quiet too… lovely.

 

Ardheslaig

Coastal Road Trip, Ardheslaig Bay
The calm bay of Ardheslaig.

 

Shieldaig

Coastal Road Trip, Shieldaig
Shieldaig was a surprise, with some smart properties and even a posh coffee shop (perfect timing for an afternoon pick-me-up).

 

Beinne Eighe

Coastal Road Trip, Beinne Eighe, Glen Torridon
We then headed inland to Loch Maree, as there was no way (by car) to continue along the coast at this point.  Our journey inland took us straight through the heart of Glen Torridon and the magnificent Beinn Eighe National Nature Reserve.  The area is know for wild cats and golden eagles, though we saw neither (maybe next time).

 

Loch Maree

Coastal Road Trip, Loch Maree
Time to reflect along Loch Maree.
Coastal Road Trip, Loch Maree
Slioch towering over Loch Maree.  I read after that this is a very typical calendar shot, and there we were thinking we had that one in a million shot… 😉

 

Gairloch

Coastal Road Trip, Gairloch, Harbour
A tranquil evening at Gairloch Harbour.
Coastal Road Trip, Gairloch, Loch Gairloch, Sunset
We seem to get lucky with our hostal room views, this time sunset over Loch Gairloch.

 

Daily video

 

Day 19 – Isle of Skye (Day 2)

Heading northwest on our second full day on the Isle of Skye today.  Then looping up to the Waternish peninsula, across to Neist Point, before heading south to Glenbrittle and the Cuillin Hills.

 

Photo of the day

Coastal Road Trip, Waternish
Views along Waternish Peninsula.

 

Treaslane

Coastal Road Trip, Treaslane, views to Uig Bay and Loch Snizort
Views from Treaslane over to Loch Snizort.  Love the tree shadow on the grass in the morning sun.

 

Edinbane

Coastal Road Trip, Edinbane, Loch Snizort
At the foot of the Waternish Peninsula with Loch Snizort in the distance.

 

Waternish

Coastal Road Trip, Waternish, Fairy Bridge
The Fairy Bridge entering the Waternish Peninsula.
Coastal Road Trip, Waternish
The odd burst of sunlight through the dark cloudy sky gave a moody feel to the landscape.

 

Dunvegan Castle

Coastal Road Trip, Dunvegan Castle, Julian, Jarno
Another day, another castle!  Since the 11th century Dunvegan Castle has been the seat of the chiefs of the Clan Macleod.  Unfortunately not a National Trust for Scotland or Historic Scotland property so we had to pay for a look around.
Coastal Road Trip, Dunvegan Castle
A somewhat brutal looking castle, but impressive none the less.
Coastal Road Trip, Dunvegan Castle, Loch Dunvegan
The view from the castle down Loch Dunvegan.
Coastal Road Trip, Dunvegan Castle, Garden, Flowers
In contrast to the rather grey castle the gardens were in full bloom…
Coastal Road Trip, Dunvegan Castle, Garden, Flowers
…full of colourful flowers.

 

Neist Point

Coastal Road Trip, Neist Point, Jarno
Thumbs up from Jarno at Neist Point.  Despite the pouring rain we put on our waterproofs and hiked down to the lighthouse.
Coastal Road Trip, Neist Point
Dramatic views north.
Coastal Road Trip, Neist Point Lighthouse, Julian, Jarno
Neist Point Lighthouse coming into view.
Coastal Road Trip, Neist Point Lighthouse
Looked good from a distance…
Coastal Road Trip, Neist Point Lighthouse
… but up close it was clearly in need of some love and care, and almost felt abandoned, despite it still being in use (operated remotely).

 

Bracadale

Coastal Road Trip, Bracadale, Loch Harport
Lush green coastal valleys surrounding Loch Harport on the way south to Glenbrittle.

 

Glenbrittle

Coastal Road Trip, Glenbrittle, The Cuillin Hills
Wow, this was the view from our hostal room window for the night.  No mobile signal or wifi … but who needs them when you have a view like that!

 

Daily video

Day 18 – Isle of Skye (Day 1)

Today we’re doing a loop clockwise around the northern tip of the Isle of Skye.  The weather will be on our side today too.  So excited to start exploring the island.

 

Photo of the day

Coastal Road Trip, The Storr, Highland Cow
A shaggy coated Isle of Skye Highland Cow.

 

Uig

Coastal Road Trip, Uig, Uig Bay, Loch Snizort
Views over Uig Bay and beyond to Loch Snizort.
Coastal Road Trip, Uig, Uig Tower, Captain Fraser's Folly
Captain Fraser’s Folly (AKA Uig Tower), built as a show of wealth.. not for defence.

 

Kilmuir

Coastal Road Trip, Kilmuir, Skye Museum of Island Life, Cart
Towards the most southern tip of the Isle of Skye, we stopped by the fascinating Skye Museum of Island Life.  A great introduction to croft living on the island, really well maintained with good explanations.
Coastal Road Trip, Kilmuir, Sheep
And the local sheep chilling in the sun (yes the sun came out!).

 

Duntulm

Coastal Road Trip, Duntulm, Duntulm Castle, Views south
Views south from Duntulm Castle.
Coastal Road Trip, Duntulm, Duntulm Castle, Julian, Jarno
Duntulm Castle perched on the cliffs above Loch Snizort, previously the seat of the chiefs of Clan MacDonald of Sleat.

 

Balmacquien

Coastal Road Trip, Balmacquien, Lane
Exploring off the beaten track down hidden coastal lanes.

 

Digg

Coastal Road Trip, Digg, Julian, Jarno
Stopping every minute to take yet another photo…

 

Staffin

Coastal Road Trip, Staffin, Sailing boat
As we drove along the coast to Staffin, an old sailing ship was following us along the same route out at sea.
Coastal Road Trip, Staffin Bay, Sound of Raasay
Staffin Bay, and the Sound of Raasay in the distance.
Coastal Road Trip, Staffin Bay, Beach, Cow
Another beach cow!

 

Kilt Rock

Coastal Road Trip, Kilt Rock, Waterfall
Kilt Rock Waterfall gushing over the pillars of rock that form this coastline.  By this point we seemed to have hit a tourist hot spot, the busiest place on the island.  Tourists like waterfalls….
Coastal Road Trip, Kilt Rock, view south
And the view south over the cliffs that formed 55-61 million years ago!

 

The Storr

Coastal Road Trip, The Storr
The north east side of The Storr dramatically towering above a farm house.
Coastal Road Trip, The Storr, Loch Fada
Looking back to The Storr accross Loch Fada.
Coastal Road Trip, The Storr, Highland Cow
And a bit further south along the road some Highland Cows were kindly posing for photos.

 

Portree

Coastal Road Trip, Portree
Boats anchored in Portree Bay, with the Isle of Raasay in the background.  As the sun has been out for most of the day we treated ourselves to our second ice cream of the road trip 😉

 

Glamaig, Sligachan & The Cuillin Hills

Coastal Road Trip, Glamaig, Glen Varragill
What a perfect way to end our first full day on the Isle of Skye.  Stunning views towards Sligachan.
Coastal Road Trip, A87, The Cuillin Hills
The A87 with the The Cuillin Hills in the background.
Coastal Road Trip, Sligachan Bridge, Glamaig
Sligachan Bridge and the cone like (from this angle) Glamaig.
Coastal Road Trip, Sligachan Bridge, The Cuillin Hills
And the final view of the day from Sligachan Bridge looking south to The Cuillin Hills.

 

Daily video

Day 17 – Strontian to Broadford

Exciting day today.  We’re on our way to the Isle of Skye, which we have wanted to visit for many years.  But we’ll start the day heading west, before continuing north.

 

Photo of the day

Coastal Road Trip, Road to Aird of Sleat, Yellow boat
So tranquil, along the road to the Aird of Sleat.

 

Ardnamurchan

Coastal Road Trip, Ardnamurchan Sign
On our way to Ardnamurchan, the most westerly point on the British Mainland.
Coastal Road Trip, Road to Ardnamurchan, Julian, Jarno
Quick photo stop.
Coastal Road Trip, Ardnamurchan, Julian, Jarno
And we arrived!
Coastal Road Trip, Ardnamurchan, EV, Electric car charge point
…and despite being literally on the edge of the land we could have charged our electric car (handy, if we had one).
Coastal Road Trip, Ardnamurchan, Mingary Castle
Mingary Castle, we couldn’t visit as the ruin was under renovation.
Coastal Road Trip, Ardnamurchan Lighthouse
Yay!  Another lighthouse.  Of course we couldn’t visit this most westerly point without dropping by on Ardnamurchan Lighthouse.  The only Egyptian style lighthouse in the UK.   This one was open to the public and had a small museum, we had a little look around before realising that we were meant to pay…

 

Ardslignish

Coastal Road Trip, Ardslignish, Bay
Driving back east we came to this little bay near Ardslignish, and look.. cows sunbathing on the beach.
Coastal Road Trip, Ardslignish, Bay, Beach, Cows
Scottish cows do seem to enjoy the beach, well why not?
Coastal Road Trip, Ardslignish, Rolling roads
Beautiful views along the country lanes.

 

Ardtoe

Coastal Road Trip, Ardtoe, Beach writing
Doing a bit of marketing, however absolutely no one else around at the secluded beach near Ardtoe, so not sure who we were marketing too… 😉

 

Loch Ailort

Coastal Road Trip, Loch Ailort
Views down Loch Ailort.  After a very quiet morning (which we loved), all of a sudden it started getting busier as we joined the rest of the road trippers heading to Mallaig to get the ferry over to the Isle of Skye.

 

Mallaig to Armadale

Coastal Road Trip, Mallaig to Armadale Ferry, Julian & Jarno
A bit of a chilly sail over to Armadale on the Isle of Skye.
Coastal Road Trip, Mallaig to Armadale Ferry, Scenery
But what dramatic scenery looking up the Sound of Sleat.

 

Aird of Sleat

Coastal Road Trip, Road to Aird of Sleat
Along the road to the Aird of Sleat, the most southerly point of the Isle of Skye.
Coastal Road Trip, Road to Aird of Sleat, Yellow boat
Loving the Isle of Skye already, and only been here 15 minutes!  Next stop Broadford for the first of 3 nights on the Isle of Skye.

 

Broadford

Coastal Road Trip, Broadford, Baked beans on toast, Julian, Jarno
In a hostal tonight, so we treated ourselves to baked beans on toast 😉

 

Daily video