Sunday, June 18, 2023

Holiday Highlights Part 2

In my last post, I promised a peek at the photos from the Isle of Skye.  If that's what you came to see, you are in the right place!

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???

 

*** 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 ...

Linking to Mosaic Monday

39 comments:

  1. Hello,
    Beautiful scenic views, love the coastal views and waterfalls. The cottage sounds lovely. The road sign is cute and I like the sheep.
    Take care, have a great new week!

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  2. ...thanks for taking me along to these gorgeous sights!

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  3. Thank you for sharing this beautiful place! The waterfalls are gorgeous!

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  4. WOW, that's amazing and I'd love to see all of the beauty there.

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  5. Such lovely photos. Looks like a great time!

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  6. I've always thought Isle of Sky sounded like a magical place, and your photos prove that it is! Thank you for sharing all the goodness.

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  7. A wonderful time on the isles. Leave it to the two of you to discover some hidden treasures! Of course whisky is an appropriate souvenir. :)

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  8. I think I lost my first comment. But I love seeing your photos, especially the waterfalls!

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  9. Dear Angie – Natural beauty is all around in the isles of Skye and Raasay. I’m content with this photo tour; fabulous landscape including waterfalls, pleasant road signs, cute sheep... I smiled to see you put emphasis on Dun Cana as a “mountain”. The trail among green forest looks inviting. I definitely prefer highlands and hills to mountains for hikes.
    Thank you for your visit to the Hydrangea Garden. Hydrangeas love water and wet soil. They thrive in their native place.
    Yoko

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  10. Thanks for sharing your photos and stories. You had an amazing trip!

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  11. I always wanted to go to Scotland and the Isle of Sky. I doubt I will now, so thankyou for taking us there. So different to Australia! Happy travels and thankyou for visiting my blog this week Angie. Always great to visit you.

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  12. Scotland and the Isles around are richly blessed with an unique nature. I was never, therefore dear Angie I'm glad to read here about your fantastisc Trip. Seeing this wonderful captures.
    At the moment I remembering several Films, they was caputured in the Scottish area like: Braveheart or Skyfall or The Highlander ... and of course Salmon Fishing in the Yemen. Isn't funny!?

    Thank you for sharing at MosaicMonday.
    Hugs by Heidrun

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  13. I thought you grew up in chicago area... no ice cream trucks? Loved your memories, and wish I could go on your trip too
    LeeAnna

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  14. Such beautiful views in your photographs Angie.
    Lovely for you to visit a couple of Scottish Islands.
    Yes, they are well known for whisky, and so many different types!

    Hope you are enjoying your June days.

    All the best Jan
    https://thelowcarbdiabetic.blogspot.com/

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  15. Wonderful post Angie, your photos are great, that is a beautiful place to visit. We had the Mr Whippy van come around when I lived in the UK, don't remember one when I was young in NZ.

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  16. What an amazing trip you had - all that scenery! And I love the sheep! I caught up on your previous post, too, where you hiked up to England's highest point. That looked like quite the hike! Great memories for you and Spousal Unit!

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  17. Such beautiful pictures from your trip! My daughter just got home from London and I'm still looking through her photos. I love seeing those sheep! Sounds like you had a great trip!

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  18. I have never had the pleasure of visiting any of these Outer Islands and probably never will, but what a pleasure it must be. i was just checking the bird lists for some of them and there is enough to kick my salivary glands into high gear.

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  19. You really captured the beauty of Scotland. I've only been there once but I was amazed how wild and remote the countryside is. I loved the people also, very friendly and helpful.

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  20. Beautiful photos and sights. Thanks for sharing, Angie!

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  21. I am ashamed to say I have never been to Skye, just the Orkneys. I am sure that your visit was as magical as my own to the beautiful north. And yes Angie, it is essential to purchase some of the local specialities like whisky and smoked salmon.

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  22. What a glorious place to wander - it's truly magical.

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  23. Thank you for sharing. The place is magical. You had a wonderful holiday.

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  24. What a beautiful island! How did you happen to find a cottage to rent/stay in there? I think I could stay there for months. Did they have a lot of hiking trails or walking trails, like England? Those waterfalls look crystal clear!

    I appreciate your comment on my blog. You are set to no reply, but I wanted to tell you that I haven't been spending as much time online either. Too many other things in the works.

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  25. Beautiful photo's. Looks like you had a wonderful time. Yes we had ice cream trucks when I was a kids, but rarely were we given money to buy something. Money was tight in my growing up years. We've heard an ice cream truck nearby sometimes when we're out on the deck having our cocktails; but I've not seen it...so don't know if it comes down our street or not.

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  26. Amazing scenery!

    We used to have the ice cream van come around the village when I was young (it occasionally still does!). I recall being so engrossed in eating my ice cream that I didn't see the lamppost and my ice cream was no more!

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  27. Hello dearest Anige - sorry for getting back to you so late. At present
    I have several projects that keep me busy and I rarely blog. But today I manage at least a few blog visits.
    You have some enchantingly beautiful photos of the Isle of Skye - and I saw them all in large format! Sigh, all the water, the rolling hills and at the same time the rough beauty of Scotland, sheep, ships - all this makes me really long... but it was also a kind of short vacation! I'm going back to the Fairy Pools a bit now πŸ₯°!
    All the best from Austria, Traude
    🌸🌿❤️🌿🌸
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2023/06/lavendelzeit-bei-den-rostrosen.html

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  28. What a fabulous trip you had Angie! The Isle of Skye looks beautiful -- for a while I used to say that I "collected" waterfalls. They re such a perfect goal/reward for a hike in the woods.

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  29. Do wish I could have traveled with you. Your photos tell a wonderful story! Thank you! Cathy

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  30. Such a wonderful place! Thanks for sharing your trip with us :)

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  31. Such a beautiful landscape, Angie, which remind me of places I saw in Ireland over the years. Like Sallie commented above, I often feel like I "collect waterfalls" as we have made a point of visiting many in Colorado since moving here. I hope you are having a wonderful summer! WE had a cool and wet spring but now the heat wave hit us the past few days.

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  32. I've popped in so often but haven't left a comment. I hope you're alright, it's been 2 months since you've blogged.

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  33. Waving hi again as I make my blog rounds. Hope all is well with you.

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  34. I hope everything is okay with you, dear Angie - I miss your posts!
    All the best from Austria and happy weekend,
    Traude
    🍁🌾🌻πŸͺΆπŸ‚ πŸͺΆπŸŒ»πŸŒΎπŸ
    https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2023/09/ruckblick-auf-den-rostrosen-sommer-2023.html

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  35. Waving hi again as I make my blog rounds. If you get back to blogging, please come visit me so I know and can put you back on my blog list. Please take care.

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  36. Thanks for joining Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!

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