Nature and ferry rides provided our venues of
the day. Coach A departed Stromness on Orkney while Coach B departed Stornoway
on Lewis very early in the morning. Since we are so far north, it was light at
4:30 when many of us arose.
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| Nickie, Linda R., Beth, and Judy have different takes on the early morning |
What do we do on the ferry crossings? Sleep and
knit of course. Again both groups had smooth sailings
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| Robyn T. concentrating on her sock |
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| Lida C. |
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| Linda. B. and Beth F. and their four cups of coffee? |
This drive across the North and the Northwest of
Scotland is no ordinary journey. This is the least populated, remote and rugged
and least visited are on the mainland. It is my favorite landscape in all of
mainland Scotland. It is mile after mile of rocks, beach, hills, water,
heather, birds, gorse, and grazing sheep.The road often narrows to one lane. The
vehicle heading downhill pulls over in passing spot. Both drivers always give
a wave of the hand in acknowledgment.
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| Gorse in bloom |
Just outside of Durness, we visit Balnakeil Craft Village.
www.durness.org/Balnakeil
Once a military base, it was taken
over by hippies when the military left and now is inhabited by small shops and
craft studios.
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| Tile shop at Balnakiel |
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| Karin S. at Balnakeil |
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| Lochcroispal Book Store at Balnakeil |
A stop at Cocoa Mountain has become tradition.
They specialize in truffles with unique flavours like strawberry, lemon pepper,
and serve the most decadent hot chocolate. You can't miss this heavenly stop if
you like chocolate. http://www.cocoamountain.co.uk/
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| Julian H., Tammy and Jenell P. at Cocoa Mountain, Balnakeil |
Along the west coast the Assynt area is famous for hill walking. The ruin of
Ardvreck Castle sits in a valley at lochside surrounded by mountains.
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| Ardvreck Castle ruins |
Just down the road is Lochinver, famous for homemade pie from the Lochinver Larder. Their
savory or sweet pies are in such demand, they post them around the country. http://www.piesbypost.co.uk/
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| Savory or sweet, we ate both! |
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| Lochinver Larder |
Coach B had a break in Thurso before our second
ferry crossing of the day. I walked along the river to the town’s peaceful terraced
cemetery.
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| A variety of Celtic crosses at the Thurso cemetary |
This bench along the river is typical of the
kind of stone used for dry stone building of fences, benches, and buildings in this area of Scotland. A
true art, one skilled at this technique today will never go without well paid
employment. The Dry Stone Conservancy in Kentucky keeps this tradition alive in the states. http://www.drystone.org/
In Scotland visit http://www.swsdswa.org.uk/
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| Dry stone built park bench in Thurso |
Although much of the day was overcast with
periodic rain showers, the sun always manages to shine by evening in Ullapool..
No one ever wants to leave this idyllic spot. Coach A called this place home
for the night A hearty thank you to Charlotte at Dromnan Guest House http://www.dromnan.com/
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| View from Dromnan House in Ullapool |
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