Ken Bell Photography - Scotland Gallery II

Isle of Skye

After arriving at the port of Uig we drove along the northly Trotternish Peninsula. The views overlooking the sea, beaches, rolling green farmland, and high coastal mountains is breathtaking. Shortly we arrived at the Museum of Island Life. This museum was well done and had great static displays of blackhouses, implement sheds, tools and even a weaving loom. Closer toward Portree we came across a viewpoint of Kilt Rock. There is a waterfall in front of it that cascades into the sea. Climbers were attempting their fate on the Rock when we were there. Between Kilt Rock and Portree is Storr, a rocky sheer faced hill that has a pinnacle in front of it known as the Old Man of Storr. At Portree we discovered a wonderful sheltered harbor. We stayed just outside the town at Peinmore House, the best Bed and Breakfast we experienced on the whole trip. It was the minister's manse before being converted to this bed and breakfast, and it is a large, spacious house that is well decorated. They even have a gallery on the premises.

Driving around the isle is pretty easy and there are great sights wherever you look. We drove over to see the Dunvegan Castle which sits on Loch Dunvegan on a small outcrop overlooking a bay. This castle has been occupied continuously by Clan Macleod for 800 years. The castle boasts incredible gardens including a Water Garden that has a stream with two waterfalls on it! Further along the south coast we came to the Talisker Distillery on Loch Harport. The view from in front of the distillery overlooking the loch toward distant hills is worth seeing. We drove on top of the hill overlooking the distillery after touring it and the view is even better up high. On the way back to Portree we drove across the isle just to the west of the famous Cuillin Hills. These hills are really coastal mountains and can be seen from almost anywhere on the isle. That evening we went to the Lower Deck for seafood and were rewarded when we were there when a double rainbow appeared over the harbor. What a fantastic sight that was to see!

Eilean Donan, Castle Stalker and Oban

About an hour's drive from the Skye Bridge is Eilean Donan Castle. This castle is located on an islet on Loch Long. After many years of neglect it was fully refurbished in 1912. The castle is well maintained today and is a top tourist attraction. Not only is it very attractive, it sits in one of the most picturesque settings you can ever imagine. Sunrise photos of the castle are on the front cover of Lonely Planet Scotland, but I also found this moody lighting to be quite compelling as well. Touring the castle was really a treat too. There are interpreters inside that really were informative.

Just north of Oban on Loch Linnhe is Castle Stalker. This castle is also on an islet but there is no bridge to get to it. The castle really has a medieval look to it. Again, the setting it is in is really amazing. The castle is still occupied today, unlike Eilean Donan, so we were not allowed to tour it. I would have liked to see this castle in the evening light near sunset. I think it would make for an incredible shot.

Oban is an interesting port on the west side of Scotland. The town grew up around Oban Distillery which was established in 1794. Right in front of the harbor across Oban Bay is Kerrera Island. Further off in the distance is the Isle of Mull. Our bed and breakfast, Dunheanish Guest House, was located on Battery Hill, just above and to the left of the distillery. Further up the hill is McCaig's Tower, an imposing circular structure similar to the Coliseum. The views from the tower of the port are incredible. On the southeast end of town is Pulpit Hill which also has great views across the harbor all the way to the narrows between Oban and Kerrera. At the northwest end, overlooking the narrows, is the castle ruins of Dunollie Castle. Climbing up to the ruins was a bit of an adventure but the views were worth it. Oban has two really great restaurants. Ee-usk Seafood Restaurant for fantastic fish, and Cuan Mor Bar and Restaurant for incredible lamb shank. Both were top notch restaurants and the food was great! We celebrated the last night at Oban watching a spectacular sunset from the lawn at Dunheanish.

Stirling

Approaching Stirling from the west you enter into the broad Forth valley. Rising from the valley floor are two volcanic outcrops. The first one is Abbey Craig with the Wallace Monument rising high above it. A bit further on we came to Stirling with the Castle mounted high on the west end of its outcrop. At the east end is the town of Stirling. Driving toward the castle from Stirling there are other interesting buildings such as: the Church of the Holy Rude, Mar's Wark, John Cowane's Hospital and Argyll's Lodging. The church is still used today. The hospital and lodging are historic museums, but Mar's Wark is now simply a ruins in front of the cemetary. Stirling Castle is a large complex similar to Edinburgh Castle and it is both historically and architecturally significant. There is a statue of Robert the Bruce at the entrance and looking beyond it there is an excellent view of the Wallace Monument. I found Stirling Castle more interesting to tour than Edinburgh although both had their highlights.

The Wallace Monument was built in 1869 and stands 220 feet high, on top of Abbey's Craig. The Craig itself is 239 feet high so once you climb the tower the view is incredible. Gab and Brigitte got to climb to the crown but when I tried a few minutes later they had closed it for a wedding. Gab took a couple of shots from the top and it is easy to see how incredible the view was. In the evening I walked from our Bed and Breakfast along the path toward the Royal Pasture, taking a few more shots of the south view of Stirling Castle. It was a fitting end to our trip. One day I hope return to this amazing country.

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