You can't go far on the Isle without seeing water, and waterfalls are abundant. So, when your cottage landlord recommends a particular set of waterfalls, you know it must be something special. Before we even arrived at the cottage, we made a stop at the Fairy Pools, beautifully crystal clear blue pools at the foot of the Black Cuillins along the River Brittle.
It was a short drive from the Pools to the cottage in Carbost, and we were delighted to inspect our "home-away-from-home". Ironically, it was decorated with a camping/exploring theme!!! And the view of the loch at the bottom of the garden/yard was the icing on the cake. I loved the changing light around the boats in the harbor as the sun set on our first night there.
The landlord had also suggested a tour of the Isle of Raasay, a short ferry ride from Skye. Raasay's main village was built to house iron ore miners. Remains of the mine can be seen, but the island is primarily agricultural, with limited activities for tourists. As we drove the remote, one-lane roads on the island, we relished its isolation and rugged, preserved beauty.
The legacy of the MacLeods endures on Raasay; the ruins of the MacLeod's 15th/16th century stronghold of Brochtel Castle appear to grow out of the cliff-top rocks.
Northwards, you can follow Calum's Road, a remarkable achievement by a 20th century member of the MacLeod clan.
The trails of Raasay beckoned, and we followed the call on two short hikes. Dun Cana, pictured below, is the "mountain" that dominates the southern part of the island.
The "Hallaig" trail starts at the "end of the road", quickly narrowing to a track next to mossy stands of birch. The trail rises toward the headland, gradually revealing sheer limestone cliffs that tower over the meadows and coastline below. These cliffs are protected for their chalk-loving plants such as dark-red helleborine.
In the picture below, you can see Dun Cana from another angle - somehow, it looks even more dramatic from a distance than it did close up!
I like maps, so I couldn't resist including this photo of the island's map.
When we returned to the harbor to await the ferry, we popped into the cafe at the Raasay House, a hotel that overlooks the marina. The coffee and cake was so refreshing. Time also allowed us a quick run into the local shop - Spousal Unit purchased some samples of Raasay whisky - what else do you buy when you are in Scotland???
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*** Linking to Leeanna's Not Afraid of Color for I Like Thursday. Prompt for June 22: remember the ice cream truck driving around your
neighborhood in summer? Did you go out with your money, stand in line and get a treat? What was your favorite frozen treat? Is there an ice cream truck that still goes around your neighborhood?
I don't have memories of an ice cream truck in our neighborhood. Maybe that explains why we would run over to a friend's house after dinner in the summer - her mom would give us ice cream treats - the one I remember had a crumbly, sprinkle-like coating on it - so delicious. I am not sure we ever told my Mom ... And I laugh out loud when I think about an ice cream truck in our CURRENT neighborhood! We are fifteen miles out of town, and then you have the three plus miles of dirt road ...
