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Tour Highlands, Tour Scotland

May 20, 2012 catswhiskers Comments off

Cairngorm Mountains, Aviemore, Scotland

This morning, we departed our lodgings at Ballifeary Guest House, Inverness after breakfast and drove south to our first stop at Aviemore. This small town is located in the Cairngorm mountain region and is popular with hikers, birdwatchers and outdoor enthusiasts. We had coffee at a high elevation restaurant which offorded superb views over the snow-capped mountains. Our visit coincided with the scheduled departure of the Strathspey Steam Train from Aviemore which was an added bonus.

Next we drove down the A9 to our next stop of Dunkeld with a photo stop for Blair Castle en-route..At Dunkeld tour guest played his Scottish Small Pipes in the Taybank Pub which itself is a popular music venue. We also had a light lunch here. After a short walk around the centre of Dunkeld we continued south to our next destination of Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s top visitor attractions.

We visited all main aspects of Stirling Castle including Great Hall, Royal Chapel and Kitchens. The recently restored Royal Apartments were of particular interest with assistance from actors in period costume.

After departing Stirling Castle, we continued south to our final destination of Edinburgh but first availing of a light meal at the Granary Pub on Leith’s popular waterfront.

Final drop-off was neraby where we exchanged fond farewells at conclusion of a fascinating 10 day round Scotland tour with emphasis on the Outer Hebrides.

Strathspey Steam Train, Aviemore, Scotland

Blair Castle, Perthshire, Scotland

Piper, Taybank Pub, Scotland

Atholl Fountain, Dunkeld, Scotland

Main Entrance, Stirling Castle, Scotland

Period Reenactment at Royal Apartments, Stirling Castle

Leith Waterfront, Scotland

Blair Castle, Buildings, Castles, Culture, Edinburgh, Highlands, Inverness, Locations, Mountains, Music, Scotland tour, Stirling Castle, Stirlingshire, Tours none

Tour Sutherland, Tour Scotland

May 19, 2012 catswhiskers Comments off

Ullapool and Loch Broom, Scottish Highlands, Scotland

This morning, we departed our Ullapool lodgings and then drove a few minutes north to a vantage point for a landscape photograph of Ullapool and Loch Broom. Then we continued as follows:

Across the Northern Highlands with stunning mountain scenery and stopping at an information point to view the Colgach Peaks. Views were aided by dry, sunny weather.
Arrived Dornoch around midday where we spent an hour or so visiting this very pretty town with ancient Cathedral.
Next to Invergordon which offered a mix of visiting cruise ship (Seabourn Sojourn), offshore oil rigs in for maintenance and colourful wall murals.
Next to Dingwall whre we visited the town cemetery and massive 1907 monument to famous British soldier, Sir Hector Archibald MacDonald who achieved high rank from humble origins.
Next to Fortrose and Chanonry Point to view dolphins feeding at high tide.
Finally, we arrived at our lodgings at Ballifeary Guest House, Inverness late afternoon then went out for an early dinner.

Coigach Peaks,Wester Ross, Scotland

Wall Mural, Invergordon, Scotland

Dornoch Cathedral, Dornoch, Scotland

Dornoch Castle Hotel, Dornoch, Scotland

Oil Rig, Invergordon, Scotland

Seabourn Sojourn at Invergordoin, Scotland

Sir Hector MacDonald Monument, Dingwall, Scotland

Buildings, Churches, Highlands, Locations, Lochs & Lakes, Monuments, Mountains, Nature, Scotland tour, Tours none

Tour Wester Ross, Tour Scotland

May 18, 2012 catswhiskers Comments off

Common Seal, Dunvegan, Scotland

This morning we depaerted our Tarbert, Harris lodgings early tro connect with the 7.30am ferry to Uig Skye. On arrival at Uig we proceeded as follows:

To Dunvegan Castle on Skye. Here we visited the excellent garden and joined a short boat ride to view a colony of basking common seals. Latter was a great expereince allowing close-up access to the animals.
To Portree, capoital of Skye. Here we explored the town and colourful harbour and then availed of lunnch at a harbour restaurant.
To Broadford, south Skye via some stunning snow-capped mountainous scenery.
At Broadford we viisted art and craft outlets and an interesting second hand bookshop.
Next, acroos the Skye Bridge to Kyle of Lochalsh and then north up to Ullapool vioa Loch Carron via superb West Highlands scenery. Arrived Ullapool at 5.30pm.

Overall,weather was dry and reasonably sunny permitting some good photo opportunities. Tonight we are in Ullapool before commencing the tour’s penultimate day. Superb sunset over Loch Broom this evening-see final pic below.