|
Post by lugg on Apr 9, 2022 20:11:52 GMT
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Apr 10, 2022 5:13:10 GMT
Yes, any kind of brush fire is tricky business, even if they can be excellent for the landscape. The fact that fire has always been both a friend and an enemy of humankind indicates that we will never completely tame it.
|
|
|
Post by tod2 on Apr 10, 2022 10:37:10 GMT
Well I never - Yesterday I tuned in to a regular website called Foxes Afloat (because they used to have a Narrowboat) but are now in Scotland. And this video might show you how scary things got for Lugg. T think you will agree that these chaps did a magnificent job in documenting the fire in Scotland by sending up a drone.
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Apr 10, 2022 12:34:44 GMT
Gee, Scotland looks as dangerous as Southern California!
|
|
|
Post by lugg on Apr 10, 2022 19:27:20 GMT
Thanks for that video Tod - although not the one we experienced on Skye I can imagine how those guys felt.
|
|
|
Post by lugg on Apr 10, 2022 19:28:13 GMT
Gee, Scotland looks as dangerous as Southern California! Maybe K2 I really have no idea / knowledge other than fire is scary wherever
|
|
|
Post by lugg on Apr 10, 2022 19:33:18 GMT
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Apr 11, 2022 2:08:37 GMT
4th photo from the bottom ~ about as lovely as anything can be!
And ohhhhh the food! It all looks perfect, but I will not rest now until I can have crab on toast.
"bag a Monro" ~~ ?
|
|
|
Post by tod2 on Apr 11, 2022 7:51:31 GMT
That lobster made me drool! You can keep the oysters....unless smoked.
Lovely vistas all around. Can I inform Bixa here? Bixa a Munro is a mountain/hill - the best example is Ben Nevis at 1345m in height. That is a sort of beginner-climbers mountain. I climbed 1,976m here just up the road at the foothills of the Drakensburg. Did it twice, once at 15yrs old and again at 55!
|
|
|
Post by patricklondon on Apr 11, 2022 8:54:10 GMT
|
|
|
Post by lugg on Apr 11, 2022 19:03:10 GMT
Thanks Patrick and Tod --Great link Patrick here is one of a couple of my friends who bagged one by accident ( they went the wrong way ) This is one of the easier Munroes in the Cuillans - which are generally considered to be some of the most difficult live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969341689_a3aaef48e6_c.jpg
|
|
|
Post by lugg on Apr 12, 2022 17:41:59 GMT
There is so much more of Skye I could post but I don’t want to drag this thread out too long and I still want to show you some of the other places I visited, so I will finish this part of the thread with one of my favourite days out; I do love a boat trip, especially when it is combined with wildlife viewing and stunning scenery. Off we went to Portree – the “capital “of Skye to seek out the white tailed sea eagle. We stopped off en route to see an ancient graveyard at Kilmarie on the way – looking for a particular grave.. The graveyard is still in use but the days of the old Mckinnon and McDonald clans which it bears testament too , are long past, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51967969287_3954e242b6_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51967969042_6c60ac7eca_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51967901447_23e67c4ce9_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51969192519_6ed8e0c22f_c.jpgI don’t think I have ever seen ferns growing out of a tree before. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51968971123_3f187976b1_c.jpgAnyway we were looking for the grave of a former resident of the cottage we were staying in which we did not find but this is the resting place of a neighbour. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969471505_914fc34ae3_c.jpgThe loch here was really calm and quite beautiful. Maybe not a bad place to be buried? live.staticflickr.com/65535/51967901742_b5df8a34b0_c.jpgOk Portree.. I had huge expectations that I would be captivated by it as my daughter had stayed there a few years ago and was bowled over. Maybe it was the wrong time of year, maybe Covid times but I did not love it as much as I thought I would . The school boys chucking chips at each other by the harbour probably did not help nor did the( albeit necessary) gazebo type tents for outside dining. Here are a few pics of the harbour area .. What you can’t see are the closed shops/ restaurants , the peeling paint etc. . I am sure it is a buzzing place in the summer and it is certainly loved by many. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51968975958_f4306d2581_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51967904212_50e737cffa_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51969196129_22d2a3ed21_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51969044753_2d33258d36_c.jpgThis boat belonged to the company that we were taking our trip with – fortunately it was not this boat.. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969044868_ded0cd78a9_c.jpg– This looks more like it . There were about 10 of us in total on board including two very serious photographers with a huge amount of kit. Anyway we got to sit on the top which was fab both for the views but also the guide drove the boat from up here too for part of the way whilst he was seeking out the sea eagles ( white tailed eagles) etc. and so he told us so much about the area and the wildlife. A very engaging chap. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969044068_6af8e43295_c.jpgThis is where we were – heading out from Portree towards the Isle of Raasay www.bing.com/maps?osid=b84ff9ea-ace5-4667-828f-34903f07dbc8&cp=57.409778~-6.219054&lvl=12&style=s&v=2&sV=2&form=S00027The views from the boat were stunning ; Cuillins live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969264059_9971be2f0c_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51967972557_9989140354_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51968909901_3ccc74e7ec_c.jpgIn the far distance on the right is the Storr – another much visited part of Skye – we had planned to go there on our final day but the fire intervened and prevented it. Next time maybe ? live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969263099_e4dd51e20b_c.jpgOne pair of the sea eagles has a nest somewhere on these rocks – but we did not spot either of them . The guide knew where exactly but for obvious reasons ( ongoing persecution) did not divulge its exact location. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51967903472_82ac8996da_c.jpgHowever this little chap popped up to investigate us ; live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969474455_07d377547d_c.jpgSo we headed off towards Raasay ; we were told that another pair of white tailed eagles sometimes hang out nearby. Our journey was interrupted by this pod of short-beaked common dolphin; as ever I failed to get a great image live.staticflickr.com/65535/51968974468_41104a2cd1_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51968982803_9680174298_c.jpgIsle of Raasay, I think the guide said there are about 150 permanent residents on Raasay . It is a place I would like to visit one day. raasay.com/aboutraasay/live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969473570_7b1397bd7d_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51967972157_0f7cdb53ef_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51969482605_3780caabf8_c.jpgAs we got closer the guide spotted these seals, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969482230_fc895cd847_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51969203289_79ebf960ab_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51967912452_e76ef8c7df_b.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51967912497_59fe250a87_c.jpgFortunately he was not as distracted as we were and continued to scan the skies and then he noticed we were being watched from a rock perched just above the seals . It was only later when I looked at the photos that I realised there are actually two in this photo below and we got to see them both much closer. So the guide injects a fish with air and the sea eagles come down for it… they have to swoop down and pick up by their talons as they do not swim or dive for fish. The largest bird of prey in the UK with a wing span of approx. 8 foot in an adult , they had been extinct until they were re-introduced in 1975 . The last nest in Southern England was recorded on the Isle of Wight in 1780, the last breeding pair in Northern England was seen in the Lake District in 1794, and Scotland’s last recorded nesting pair were seen on Skye in 1916. Total extinction in the British Isles finally came in 1918 when the last remaining white-tailed eagle was shot on Shetland. An inglorious end for such a magnificent creature. However, the species was reintroduced to Scotland in three phases over recent decades, using chicks from the Norwegian white-tailed eagle population. 140 of them were reared and then released on the west coast over 23 years: 82 on Rum between 1975 and 1985, and 58 in Wester Ross between 1993 and 1998. 85 were released on the east coast, in Fife, between 2007 and 2012. The first white-tailed chick to fledge in Scotland for 70 years arrived in 1985 on Mull. In 1996, the first chick born to a pair bred in Scotland arrived. And then, in 2013, a pair of white-tailed eagles raised and fledged a chick on the east coast for the first time in 200 years. Figures vary slightly as to how many breeding pairs of white-tailed eagles there are in Scotland right now but they all put the figure at least 60 nationwide. With its wild uplands and coastline, Skye in particular is a stronghold for eagles of both species with around 30 pairs of golden eagles and around a dozen pairs of white-tailed eagles.www.walkhighlands.co.uk/news/a-skye-full-of-eagles/They have also been re-introduced in the Isle of Wight too and I have seen one, at a distance, when I was visiting my son quite recently live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969482895_c32f0501dd_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51967911667_34ab540e68_c.jpgI wish I had a better zoom like the guys on the deck below ( course I blame the camera rather than myself )but hey ho – the main thing was watching such huge majestic birds live.staticflickr.com/65535/51968918071_8d8c97543d_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51967911537_4173e4203d_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51968982273_23715cb758_c.jpgHappy campers we set back to port – one of the eagles was still watching from its rocky perch – I think this shows the size of it better than any of my other photos. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969483485_d517ec5a92_b.jpgOn the way home the guide had one last treat for us – he asked us if we wanted a hot drink and we opted for hot chocolate – he then asked if we would like a toddy of whiskey in it – now that was very good. In fact it became a regular nightcap for the rest of the week. On the way home we saw quite a few red deer, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51968966116_436f1f98a6_c.jpgSo to finish this part of the report , a few photos that I took on the morning I was leaving, Glasnakille from the garden, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969527245_9a87666fea_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51968962636_b1e172bf57_c.jpgOne last view of the road to Elgol from the car live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969026708_5b1fb7800d_c.jpgMore to come … of my journey back to spend my last day / night in a completely different part of Scotland – Morayshire .
|
|
|
Post by bjd on Apr 12, 2022 18:45:35 GMT
What a wonderful time you must have had. Great pictures, as usual.
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Apr 12, 2022 23:59:44 GMT
I love a good graveyard, and that one with all the daffodils is a dilly! Glad you found the tombstone & kudos on the lovely long shadows in the graveyard pictures.
It's easy to see how Portree must have seemed a comedown & distraction after all the natural beauty you all had been in.
The views from the boat must have indeed been splendid -- certainly your photos are. And dolphins -- always a treat! That last picture of the eagle in flight, just before where you say you set back to port ---- wow! Out of this world.
|
|
|
Post by tod2 on Apr 13, 2022 8:55:09 GMT
Terrific photos Lugg! You did a brilliant job capturing that eagle in flight over the water. Looking forward to Morayshire.
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Apr 13, 2022 11:35:10 GMT
That was a fabulous boat trip and the weather seems to have been perfect all the time.
|
|
|
Post by lugg on Apr 13, 2022 19:34:44 GMT
Thanks guys --- you are all very kind re the eagle pic ; I did my best but if only I had one of those bazooka lenses
|
|
|
Post by lugg on Apr 13, 2022 19:40:26 GMT
So my journey towards home and the airport continued the anti – clockwise route I had initially taken. Map below live.staticflickr.com/65535/51971563836_9dd221578e_c.jpgLeaving Skye I travelled west to Dornie , followed the A 87 and then headed north alongside Loch Ness to Inverness . From there I headed north along the coast road to reach Elgin , where I planned to stay for the night. Next morning I headed back south via Culloden and then dropped off the car at Inverness airport and flew home. It was a whistle top tour but I wanted to see as much as possible. First to Dornie and the instantly recognisable , Eilean Donan , at least it is if you buy have ever bought a tin of Scottish shortbread , www.eileandonancastle.com/about/history/live.staticflickr.com/65535/51968966078_f69d79205f_b.jpgI would have loved to have looked around the inside but time was against me …next time maybe ? Anyway the sun was shining and it looked magnificent from the outside, live.staticflickr.com/65535/51968961231_9e759690d5_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51968961011_223b6951d1_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51969525415_531151c7fa_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51968960636_0a6068267d_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51968960526_5d5a66cb13_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51968966428_d42bd64850_c.jpgOff on the road again, just a stunning drive travelling up the side of Loch Ness – no sign of Nessie though. The scenery is getting more gentle here . live.staticflickr.com/65535/51967894702_a7398e7eb7_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51969186014_3893ce9973_c.jpgA quick stop by the Caledonian Canal, not at its most dramatic granted en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caledonian_CanalI now have no idea where this was exactly other than it was at the very end of Loch Ness near to Inverness . Despite the evidence in the photos it certainly was very busy with lots of boats and people out and about enjoying the sunshine. live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969025123_d33bb9a57b_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51969244869_4052cd2eb2_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51969244564_87e03b55dd_c.jpgOnwards and upwards towards Elgin and into Morayshire , I made another quick stop in Nairn. What can be better than enjoying a beach with snow covered mountains in the distance? live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969524005_897d1ea91c_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51967953817_b49601281c_c.jpgCrikey these kids are hardy creatures; live.staticflickr.com/65535/51969024383_a1c937ae0a_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51967953392_3d54d688b3_c.jpglive.staticflickr.com/65535/51969523770_744961e321_c.jpgNairn is one of the several royal burghs in Morayshire . They are remnants of Scottish monarchy More here, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_burghAnd so to Elgin for the final night – how much can I cram in ?
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on Apr 13, 2022 21:16:18 GMT
Just when you think it's finished, there's more! The castle in the middle of nowhere is magnificent.
The pictures of the Caledonian Canal and beyond are almost disappointing since the land has been tamed there. But that doesn't mean that it's not lovely.
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on Apr 13, 2022 23:36:37 GMT
More wonderful adventures and fabulous pictures from you, Lugg ~ thanks!
You certainly make a strong case for renting a car & putting yourself in charge of the itinerary. Love that you made time to get those wonderful time-travel pictures of the castle. And speaking of time travel, Nairn sure looks like a blast from the Victorian past.
Looking forward to Elgin!
|
|
|
Post by fumobici on Apr 14, 2022 0:45:04 GMT
This report continues to awe and inspire. Scotland looks so bare and desolate out the plane window, it's amazing how interesting it can be at ground-level.
The eagle shot, flying low over the water is a personal favorite. I see eagles all the time and I've never once got a photo half that good of one. The shortbread castle on the water is just breathtaking, what a location for it.
|
|
|
Post by lugg on Apr 14, 2022 19:53:27 GMT
The eagle shot, flying low over the water is a personal favorite. I see eagles all the time and I've never once got a photo half that good of one thank you Fumobici and for your other comments .
|
|
|
Post by lugg on Apr 14, 2022 19:56:29 GMT
The pictures of the Caledonian Canal and beyond are almost disappointing since the land has been tamed there. But that doesn't mean that it's not lovely. Yes I had that thought too K2 it is just such a contrast to Skye which is incredible - this area is much more gentle ...but I am glad i had the chance to see both sides of Scotland ( or at least two different versions as I am sure there are many more )
|
|
|
Post by lugg on Apr 14, 2022 19:59:49 GMT
putting yourself in charge of the itinerary. I was going to say that I could never do a guided tour but thinking about it ... never say never; for example if I ever get to India then I would only want to do it with a tour guide at least if I was travelling solo.
|
|
|
Post by htmb on Apr 19, 2022 12:46:25 GMT
Stunning photos! Absolutely gorgeous views everywhere, it seems! Fabulous report, Lugg.
|
|
|
Post by lugg on May 1, 2022 18:36:40 GMT
Thank you Htmb
|
|
|
Post by lugg on May 1, 2022 18:39:42 GMT
|
|
|
Post by bixaorellana on May 1, 2022 19:01:14 GMT
You did an incredible job of catching that early evening light. The Lantern of the North positively looks as though it is posing for your pictures! I do love the pic #7, which so beautifully evokes sonnet 73. Love your photos of the Biblical Garden. Those freshly planted pansies along the walkway kind of put the lie to "not open till May", don't they? It's lovely how all the Spring flowers are emerging from the sheltered nooks in the garden. Your pictures of glowing Elgin made sense of your comment about imagining it as a mini Edinburgh. Not that I've been there, but people who have make it sound dignified and elegant. And thanks so much for the pictures of Culloden battlefield and the pictures of & link to information on the cottage. As a firm fan of the tv show Outlander, this was a special treat for me. Stupendous, wonderful, happy, perfect picture to finish off this excellent and thoroughly enjoyable report ~ THANK YOU!
|
|
|
Post by kerouac2 on May 1, 2022 19:17:55 GMT
Elgin is clearly not a village and has lots to offer, not just a biblical garden thank god. But the concept kind of reminds me of the Tiger Balm Gardens in Singapore, which makes me smile.
Your photography is as excellent as ever.
|
|
|
Post by cheerypeabrain on May 1, 2022 19:26:47 GMT
Beautiful thread Lugg. I do envy you seeing the white tailed eagle! Fabulous creatures.
|
|