Scottish Tour Guide's Blog

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.

Common Seal, Dunvegan, Scotland

Dunvegan Castle, Skye, Scotland

Portree Harbour, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Cuillin Mountains, Isle of Skye, Scotland

Loch Carron, Highlands, Scotland

Ullapool, Highlands, Scotland

Sunset over Loch Broom, 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

Black Lamb, Harris, Scotland

Today, we first caught the mid-morning ferry from North Uist to Harris in the Outer Hebrides, arriving about 11.30am. Following which we proceeded to:

• Drive through the stunning mountainous scenery and coastline.
• Visit a few specialised Harris Tweed shops-and make some purchases.
• Paid an opportunistic visit to a weaver working away on a loom in a small workshop in Tarbert.
• Explored the remote west of the island with its scenery, seascapes and lots of sheep meandering around the landscape and road.

Uist to Harris Ferry, Scotland

Hewbridean Seascape, Scotland

Coastal View, Harris, Scotland

Naturally Dyed Wool, Harris, Scotland

Harris Tweed Cloth, Tarbert, Scotland

Harris Tweed Weaver at Work,Tarbert

Remote Landscape, Harris, Scotland

Overall, an enjoyable day full of diversity.