After two nights in a nice B&B in Stornoway (we chickened out and opted for a B&B because the youth hostel where the rest of the group was staying did not have private rooms) we headed for Harris Island the home of the famous “Harris Tweed” clothing.
Interestingly, the entire North Harris Island is a community owned island. There is no private property. You own your home like living in a condo. You own the building containing the home, but the community owns the land. The island is very mountainous as compared to the rolling hills of Lewis Island. But, again, it is almost barren from the same volcanic eruption that killed the landscape on Lewis Island.
A typical rainy day in northern Scotland.
We arrive at an ocean beach where the waves were high due to the rainy weather and high winds, but, did that stop the young German girl on the trip from taking a swim? Absolutely not. The high waves, wind and cold water of the North Atlantic did not seem to affect her at all. Before we knew it, she was out of her clothes (swim suit underneath) and into the waters for a refreshing? swim. You can see how the waves were coming in below and the surf pounding the rocks.
Above, the small dot in the water about 50 yards off shore is the German girl on the trip.
Notice the rest of the group in their warm clothes sitting on the rocks watching the swimmer. Below, pictures of the map showing the area through which we have traveled. The blue lines are the tour routes.
We arrive at the ferry dock for the trip to Skye Island. This is only a 1.5 hour trip compared to the 2.5 hour trip from Ullapool to Stornoway.
Above, the gloomy ferry crossing. Below, A Talbert automobile on the ferry making the crossing. No one on the trip could even estimate the value of this one of a kind classic,
Front Trunk
We arrive at the ferry terminal in Uig (Skye Island), Scotland.
Below, a pleasant stream coming out of the mountains and the classic ancient stone bridge over the stream. We all get out to get pictures and sit on stones and on the bridge.
Above, Edward shouts, “Wait, wait, we are passing a distillery without stopping!!!” Got the directional arrow to the Talisker Distillery, but this distillery was not on the itinerary.
We missed the Talisker Distillery stop, but two of the girls on the trip begged to stop at the “Fairy Pools” whatever that may be. Well, we stopped and it was magic. After a long hike into a valley from the parking area and a hike up the other side, we arrive at a series of pools coming from a waterfall off the mountain that are crystal clear and each one is prettier than the next.
After a hike across the valley above, we arrive at the first of the “Fairy Pools.” How can the water be so clear???? No commentary necessary for the next few pictures.
Below, we get up to the waterfall that begins the pools.
The waterfall coming off the mountain from a stream that begins at the top. Below, of course Haley and Kelly had to wade in the ice cold pools. They also had to put their feet into the water at every beach stop. But, they did not actually go into a swim like the German member of the tour.
More Fairy Pools stacked up on the mountain.
Below, Elaine is standing about midway on the Fairy Pools. You cannot see the bus in this picture, but believe me when I say it is across the valley parked just below the tree line on the opposite side. One of the longest hikes we have taken but well worth it even if we did miss the distillery stop!
The peat bogs. Compressed vegetation that is so compact that it can be cut and dried and burned in the fireplace.
Highway to Uig and Portree. Such delightful Gaelic names for towns.
The road to Broadford where we will spend the night.
We arrive in Bradford and decide to have dinner at the Broadford Hotel and learn that it is the home of Drambuie Liqueur. The legend has it that when Bonnie Prince Charlie (look up his history on the internet to learn a little history of Scotland) was on the run from the English after the Battle of Culloden (look that up also) he sold the recipe to the hotel manager for safe passage. The recipe is supposed to still be in the hotel safe like the secret formula for Coca-Cola is in a safe in Atlanta.
A grid showing the many styles and types of single malt Scotch Whiskey. It ranges from Smoky to Delicate and from light to heavy. Find your preference on the grid and visit that distillery, What could be easier?
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