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

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

Oban Harbour, Scotland

This afternoon our tour is experiencing a 7 hour delay due to adverse weather conditions which has disrupted ferry crossings to the Hebrides. Consequently we are facing an unplanned sojourn in Oban on the west of Scotland.

Because of the heabvy train and wind we took the opportunity to visit Glencoe, about 1 hour away. This Highland village is well known for the scenery and the infamous massacre which occurred in 1692. The latter event resulted in the deaths of up to about 100 members of the local MacDonald community  at the hands of a military unit comprised mainly of members of traditional adversaries from Clan Campbell who were acting under military orders.

At Glencoe we visited:

• The National Trust Visitor Centre
• The glen with its stunning scenery with streams and waterfalls cascading off the mountains.
• Clachaig Inn, famous for its ‘no Campbells’ policy.
• The monumernt erected in memory of the Massacre.

We later returned to Oban, tracking the banks of Loch Linnhe and passing Castle Stalker.

Waterfall, Glencoe, Scotland

Massacre Monument, Glencoe, Scotland