The Scottish Highlands
Dan and I had the most amazing three day tour of the Highlands. Each day our eyes went wild, and therefore also our camera, trying to take in each new landscape!
We aren’t really guided tour people, but with such a short time available to see Scotland we thought it best to let the experts help us find our way around cliffs, Highland cows, lochs, goats and other Highland treasures. We selected the three day Isle of Skye tour with Rabbie’s and let me be clear, it did not disappoint! The first day of the trip took us from Edinburgh through Glencoe, the Lochaber region around Fort William, Eilean Donan Castle and over the sea to Skye, where we spent our two nights in the picturesque harbour town of Portree. Dan and I opted to stay in a Bed and Breakfast while in Portree. Our host, Ian McKinnon was delightfully welcoming. Each morning, lovely breakfasts of a fried egg, beans, tomato, sausage, yogurt, toast and coffee were prepared. We were even given black pudding the second day! I was proud of myself for taking a single bite, but Dan polished off his whole pudding! For the inexperienced, black pudding is a type of sausage made from dried blood. I accidentally kept referring to it as blood sausage, which would be much more informative on a menu!
For our second day, we focused on exploring Skye including the wild north of the island, the Old Man of Storr, the mountain pass of the Quiraing and Skye’s most westerly point at Neist. The views at the Neist lighthouse were incredible. That day was extremely windy, rainy and there was plenty of mist and fog, but it just added to the fun and mystery of the landscapes.
Finally, day three took us through the Cuillin mountains to the mainland, past the 5 Sisters of Kintail, on to Loch Ness, through the central Highlands, Pitlochry and returned us to Edinburgh. Loch Ness is the largest loch in Scotland based on volume. It is 600 feet deep and 23.5 miles long. Nellie was obviously a bit moody that day and decided not to socialize.
There were many chances along the way each day to get out of our Mercedes van for pictures, coffees, lunches and washroom breaks. I appreciated the plenty of leg room the van afforded me and how small (13) our group was. Questions were always welcome and I couldn’t imagine a more knowledgeable tour guide than Richard McKay. The group of us were quite international with another Canadian, two Australians, two Singaporeans, two Koreans, three Americans and one Chinese along with us.
This post features only a small selection of our Highland photography and we hope you enjoy. Remember to breathe deep the fresh, salty air as you take in these scenes.
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Wow. It is so ruggedly beautiful! Sounds like you guys had a wonderful time
Did you learn and sing the song of Skye.
Oh I just came down from the Isle of Skye
Where the wind blows low and the wind blows high
And all the lassies say, my ,my
Donald, where’s your trousers.