Tag: Scottish Grand Tour

Eilean Donan Castle: A Scottish Highlands Gem

A must-visit location in the Scottish Highlands for history enthusiasts and photographers alike. The tide was out and the shore was lined with shiny seaweed, the clouds provided a moody backdrop. The island at the confluence of Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh is near the pretty village of Dornie.

Actually I set off in the morning for a tour of the Isle of Skye. Unexpectedly, I ended up here at the end of the day. I was ever so lucky to arrive in time to enjoy this amazing view of iconic Eilean Donan Castle. Although I nearly ended up getting stranded. Read on below…

So how did I get on this adventure? During the Skye tour I was offered a lift here. There was a regular local bus back to my hotel. Why not? I double checked the bus time beforehand and checked again with the waitress in the nearby pub at dinner. Yes, the last bus is at 7.45 p.m. from the castle.

I took photos of the castle and the pretty village of Dornie. Then I went for a lovely meal in the village before heading for the bus ahead of time.

But it didn’t come… and I didn’t have an internet connection.

My phone worked so I called my hotel on Skye who gave me the numbers of the two local taxis. One didn’t answer and the other was already on a long trip up the coast. “No way today, sorry.”

Remember, I am on the west coast of Scotland, 9 miles on a dark road from the next town, without a footpath, 11 miles from my hotel on the Isle of Skye. The last bus has officially gone. The only two local taxis are not coming. It is getting dark and cold. I listen to music, dance a little to keep warm.

Suddenly I see an “Out of Service” bus approaching. I almost run out in front of it. I learn that my bus had broken down and this was the replacement bringing people from Glasgow to the Isle of Skye. I hopped on gratefully and eventually got back to my hotel. Where everyone in the meantime knew about the “Glasgae bus breakdoon”.

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Hidden Haven of Coral Beach in Plockton

On my first stopover on my Scottish Grand Tour I found Coral Beach – a real hidden gem – thanks to a tip from fellow travellers whom I got chatting to in picturesque Plockton on the west coast of Bonnie Scotland.
I was staying in a lovely B&B on the shore near Roinn An Fhaing (on the map below) and decided to take the hike up the hill over the peninsula, through the gorse-lined prepared path and finally across a few rocks and slithery stones. I hoped I could make it there and back, take photos – of course – and maybe have a wee paddle in the water too before the forecast rain came. And I did, almost:-)

© WalkHighlands I highly recommend them if you are visiting Scotland and looking for walks, hikes and more.
Locals having a siesta
Path with view of Loch Kishorn and mountains
Coral is not coral

“The beach is not actually made of coral but of minute pieces of calcified algae known as maerl. Living maerl is a pink and purple seaweed that covers the sea floor with broad beds of spiky carpets. Maerl is a coralline type of algae, which means that it deposits lime on its cell walls as it grows.” (Thanks to “British Express” for the information.)

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Picturesque Plockton at Dusk: A Trip of a Lifetime

I’d beem dreaming of doing the Scottish Grand Tour for long time, and researched and booked the accommodation months before.

The weather forecast a couple of days beforehand was incredibly bad, and I even considered cutting my losses and cancelling. But I’m so pleased that I didn’t. It was a trip of a lifetime in so many ways.

At the end of May I set off on the rail tour from Edinburgh via Perth, Dunkeld and Inverness to picturesque Plockton on the west coast of Scotland. When I arrived after an amazing train journey there was a torrential rainfall so I relaxed in my cozy B&B and read a book. By the evening Mother Nature played along and gave me stunning dusk moments and these amazing reflections.

The last rays of the setting sun lit up the picturesque shore at Plockton and the waters of the Loch Carron estuary. I had to fight off the pesky midges on this calm evening but this view was well worth it.

This image is available as wall art and a wide range of other products on KasiaDesign.art and Redbubble, and wall art only on PM4Me.

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