Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

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:

1. 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.
2. Arrived Dornoch around midday where we spent an hour or so visiting this very pretty town with ancient Cathedral.
3. Next to Invergordon which offered a mix of visiting cruise ship  (Seabourn Sojourn), offshore oil rigs in for maintenance and colourful wall murals.
4. 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.
5. Next to Fortrose and Chanonry Point to view dolphins feeding at high tide.
6. 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

Snow Capped Mountains, Harris, Scotland

 This morning, we departed our lodgings at Tarbert, Harris and headed north to Isle of Lewis passing en-route through some stunning scenery entailing mountains topped with an overnight covering snow which reflected nicely in the sunlight. The tour progressed as follows:

• First destination was the new (founded 2008) whisky distillery known as Abhainn Dearg at Carnish on the west of Lewis which is at the end of a long and narrow road with no obvious signage. We eventually found the site and on second attempt were provided with a visit to the distillery operations and a sample of the new, three year old single malt.Interestingly, this distillery is close to the site where the set of famous Viking era carved chessmen were found buried on the beach area. We made some purchases of this unique and limited availability single malt.
• Next to the famous prehistoric, standing stone site at Callanish.
• Next to the Gearrannan Black Houses, a former community of traditionally built stone houses with thatched roofs. This site provides a tangible link with traditional island lifestyle of fairly recent times.
• Next to the Carloway Broch, a former high status dwelling with a history dating back perhaps some 2000 years.
• Next to Shawbost and a water powered mill and kiln dating from the Norse or Viking era, about 1200 years ago.
• Next to the Blackhouse Museum (former island house) where we learned more about the use of peat for fuel and toured the museum with authentic sights and smells from a bygone era.
• Finally, we returned to Tarbert in readiness for our departure for Skye in the morning. 

Dram of Whisky at Abhainn Dearg Distillery, Scotland

Inside Abhainn Dearg Distillery, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

Outdoor Boy Band, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

Prehistoric Stone Circle at Callanish, Scotland

Gearrannan Black House Village, Isle of Lewis, Scotland

Carloway Broch, Lewis, Scotland

Norse Mill and Kiln, Lewis, Scotland

Traditional Thatched House, Benbecula, Hebrides

Today we undertook a tour of the heart shaped North Uist, starting Benbecula and finishing Lochmaddy, Hebrides. This encompassed a rich diversity including:

• An otter, eagle and numerous birds including a oyster catcher.
• Stunning scenery with white sandy beaches and seascapes.
• Traditional thatched houses.
• A prehistoric stone circle.
• Prehistoric Neolithic burial cairn.
• Public sculpture.
• A friendly peat cutter
• A Crannog which was last occupied around the 16th century.

Scenic Shoreline, Hebrides, Scotland

Sculpture, North Uist, Scotland

MacLeod's Tower, North Uist, Scotland

Traditional Hebridean House, North Uist, Scotland

Neollithic Burial Cairn, North Uist, Scotland

Pobull Fhinn Stone Circle, North Uist

Mr Mackay, Pet Cutter, North Uist

Hebridean View, North Uist, Scotland

Dun an Sticir, Crannog, North Uist