Coast & Seascapes

As we continue to walk along the top of these heady cliffs I glance down and see these Puffins. A long lens insures that they are not disturbed. According to the RSPB the Puffin is one of the world's favourite birds, it is certainly my favourite. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

We have now turned south from John O'Groats towards the Caithness fishing town of Wick. It is now only a shadow of the great herring centre that it once was but for us it was still a most interesting place to visit. We see here the fish harbour. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

Back to our Spring Scottish holiday we see here another rendition from this lovely bay. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the day! Best full screen

Welcome to Giles Bay on the Pentland Firth. We see here the Pentland Ferries craft that takes cars and passengers to St Margaret's Hope on the Orkney Island of Ronaldsay. Gills Bay, which is situated about 3 mi west of John o' Groats with the community of Gills close by, has one of the longest stretches of low-lying rock coast on the northern shores of Caithness. Its main features are a small harbour and the pier used as the mainland terminal for Pentland. The NC 500: The Scottish 'North Coast 500' is one of the world’s most beautiful road trips. A route of just over 500 miles (516) of stunning coastal scenery, white sandy beaches, rugged mountains, remote fishing villages and hidden gems.

This stunning walk to that wonderful bay of Port an Eorna also gives some good alternative vistas. This view looking north towards the Applecross Peninsula (I think) Best full screen

As we are staying not too far from here it gives us an opportunity to get some updated photos in somewhat better weather than the last time I saw it (pip). I took a few snaps but I liked this one against the mountains perhaps the best "One of Scotland's most iconic and most recognisable castles set in the majestic NW highlands. The island's original castle was built in the thirteenth century; it became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie and their allies, the Clan MacRae. Between 1919 and 1932, the castle was rebuilt. The restoration included the construction of an arched bridge to give easier access to the island." Best full screen

Some days back I posted a shot of this castle from the Northwest (PiP) and so here is the opposite view. Depending on the time of day and season both these views can be quite intoxicating and different. Another thing that changes is the tide here on the meeting of three Lochs; Loch Alsh, Loch Duich and Loch Long. The building clouds were soon to give us heavy rain and a familiar heavy gloom. However I managed to shoot a few shots that I could be pleased about. "One of Scotland's most iconic and most recognisable castles set in the majestic NW highlands. The island's original castle was built in the thirteenth century; it became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie and their allies, the Clan MacRae. Between 1919 and 1932, the castle was rebuilt. The restoration included the construction of an arched bridge to give easier access to the island." Best full screen

Another view from our cottage garden at Balmacara. Compare that with the same place but wide angle on another day with the phone. PiP

A promise of a better weather day takes us back onto the Isle of Skye towards the old ferry crossing of Kylerhea near the village of the same name on the east coast. As you can see, not the weather we had hoped for, especially on this very hairy road. From here we can just about see the idyllic village of Glenelg across the water. Our destination lies just beyond sight at the bottom of the road then left for a mile or so. The weather was to improve! Best full screen

A fine little walk here above the Kylerhea Ferry crossing on the Isle of Skye. The bay across from us is on the mainland and shows a place called Bernera with Glenelg tucked away behind. The walk itself was called the Kylerhea Otter Haven walk and we walked to the Otter Hide without a single sighting. Ironically an Otter was playing just metres from our cottage window back at Balacara whilst we were here. HBM, enjoy the week.

Another reminder of our US trip that included Portland, Maine. Here we see one of its lighthouses, affectionally known as Bug Light. Built in 1855.This elegant-looking lighthouse is unique because it's believed to be the only lighthouse in the world shaped like a 4th-century Greek monument. Four Corinthian columns hold up the lens. Enjoy the day.

A twenty minute ferry crossing takes cars and pedestrians alike from main land Scotland Glenelg to the Isle of Skye hamlet of Kylerhea. A rather unique craft as the entire car deck is on a turntable and is used at both ends to embark and disembark. I even got the impression that the turntable was turned entirely by hand too after watching it being manhandled around to be locked straight . I am on Skye here and looking up Loch Alsh with the mainland on my right. From here there is a gruelling road trip before reaching the main roads of Skye. Enjoy full screen

Isle of Skye. Coming down on the high road from Kylerhea gives us a glimpse of Broadford on the left here and the Applecross peninsular in the far background. A grand view even in this subdued soft lighting. Best full screen

Sadly we are on our way home again after two very exciting weeks here in Scotland. Our first photo stop on our way back is Eilean Donan Castle in quite different conditions to our visit some days ago. Calm waters and blue skies give this view quite a different look to my first capture (see PiP). "One of Scotland's most iconic and most recognisable castles set in the majestic NW highlands. The island's original castle was built in the thirteenth century; it became a stronghold of the Clan Mackenzie and their allies, the Clan MacRae. Between 1919 and 1932, the castle was rebuilt. The restoration included the construction of an arched bridge to give easier access to the island." Enjoy the day

It was almost the end of our Springtime holiday here in Scotland and we had to start our two day road trip back home. Now as things always are, this last day in the North West of Scotland turns out to be one of the best weather days of our two weeks here. As we had a leisurely 254miles (409km) to go to our overnight stop-over, I was to pass through some of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery giving many opportunities for my camera. Here is the first capture on this wonderful day. Looking west from Eilean Donan Castle along Loch Alsh to the sea. Our holiday cottage was just beyond the white cottages on the right. The hills on our left are in fact on the Isle of Skye not far from where I posted photos of the Kylerhea Ferry. Enjoy full screen

We have come to the head of Loch Duich at Invershiel with the village of Ratagan in the distance. From here we head east uphill towards Loch Cluanie following the River Shiel and River Cluanie. Part of the A87, on which we are traveling, was called The Old Military Road. Enjoy full screen