We spent a lazy morning following the Painted Ladies around the Cawdor Castle gardens. The holly maze was closed to the public but the severely clipped hedges cut a captivating contrast to the chaotic, branched canopy of the two Laburnum(?)arched avenues that flank the maze.
We ♥ Scotland.
And so ends our adventure, it was hard to tear ourselves away but on the other hand we couldn't wait to see our very own Plot 57b and the kitteh.
"Please do not throw stones for the dog". It proved easier to train the humans than discourage the dog from asking for stones to be thrown. It was very difficult to resist the wheedling.
♥ Poppet ♥
The trip took an hour and we went out as far as Fort George and idled. The dolphins moved away from the fort bank and swam in a slow but determined arc so that they could pass close by the boat and take a good look at us before swimming off. A heartwarming encounter and the thrill of a heady experience of a vast water, land and sky scape... and the smell of the sea.
We were able to visit the Stornoway Smokehouse shop before we boarded the ferry back to Ullapool on the mainland.
We stopped briefly in Ullapool to have a bowl of homemade soup at the tiny Tea by The Sea cafe before heading to Inverness.
On our drive to St Moluag we happened across this and numerous other humorous creations on display for sale along the verge of 16a An Cnoc Ard, Eoropaidh
Callanish Stones
Gearrannan Blackhouse village
Roddy gave us a demonstration on the Hattersley treadle loom. Our favourite Harris tweed experience was an unrushed, friendly and interesting conversation and demonstration by Norman Mackenzie in his Carloway shed.
We managed to squeeze in a visit to the Shawbost Norse Mill and Kiln and marvel at the engineering ingenuity of the folk in harnessing and channelling a stream to their end purpose.
A fine beastie.
Sligachan and views of the Black Cuillin.
View of the stream Allt Coir a Mhadaidh coursing past the pinnacle of Sgurr an Fheadain.
We unwittingly beat the crowds by first driving through Glen Brittle before heading to the Fairy Pools of Allt Coir a Mhadaidh. We arrived just as the crowds were beating a hasty retreat from the midges and back to their cars for lunch.
After a short stop at the Talisker Distillery we headed onwards for late afternoon lunch. The folks at the Carbost Oyster Shack were starting to scrub down when we arrived.
Once again, judging by the mountains of detritus in the bins, we found we'd beaten the crowds. Only thing to do but to tuck into the fresh seafood and take our time in enjoying the picturesque view.
The Old Man of Storr
We headed on to Uig ready to catch the ferry to Harris the next day.
We took a coach to Inverness and picked up a hire car. We then drove to Skye stopping at Fort Augustus for lunch to see Telford's 5 step staircase lock and a swing bridge. We also stopped at Eilean Donan Castle and marveled at the thought of having a drawbridge to one's own island.
And, so on to Skye and beyond.
For a treat, to rest our weary limbs, we took the Jacobite from Fort William to Mallaig and back again. We were disappointed that despite booking our tickets in February we were not allocated seats to be able to view the Glenfinnan viaduct either on the way out or on the return. No polite announcement was made by the conductor to suggest that everyone remain seated so that people on the other side of the aisle might be able to appreciate the scene too. Hey ho, the luck of the draw and all that... not.
We had a short stroll around Mallaig before the rain set in. Again. We felt yesterday's sodden walk justified us sitting in the chippy slurping pop (the fried calamari wasn't all that) through straws and watching the world and the 'Scone of Destiny' pass us by, whilst the engine turned round.
