Category: Scotland
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Macleod’s Tables
Once the ridge of the Black Cullin is behind you, your eyes are drawn to Macleod’s Tables, Healabhal Mhor and Healabhal Bheag. These distinctive peaks stand as isolated remnants of the vast basalt plateau that once covered the isle of Skye. The name “Healabhal” is believed to originate from the Scandinavian term “helgi fjall,” meaning…
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St Maelrubha’s Churches, Eynort
Seal watching at Loch Eynort, but unfortunately, I didn’t have my telephoto lens with me. As a result, the seals’ heads appeared as mere dots amidst the vast expanse of water. However, further up the loch, nestled in a delightful wooded spot, stand the remains of two churches. The smaller one, likely older in age,…
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Fiskavaig
Another day spent leisurely pootling the tranquil narrow lanes of the Minginish Peninsula. This is Fiskavaig, a scattered community that comprises a mix of renovated houses, contemporary Scandinavian-style new builds, and the occasional working croft. In the near distance is Ardtreck, featuring its captivating galleried dùn. In fact, if you examine that photograph closely, on…
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Coire na Creiche
This north-west facing corrie of the Cullin hills is known as ‘the hollow of the spoil’ in Gaelic: Coire na Creiche. It earned this name due to its reputation as a preferred hideout for those seeking refuge after successful raids. However, our exploration yielded no valuable spoils; instead, we stumbled upon a trashed tent flysheet…
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Another day, another dùn
Yesterday, I was unaware of the term “galleried dùn,” but today I came across another one. This is Dùn Ardtreck and is located at Ardtreck Point, near the entrance to Loch Harport. I must say, it is even more remarkable than yesterday’s. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure about the difference between a galleried…
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The “Viking Canal” at Rubh’ An Dunain
After yesterday’s lapsus calami when I misidentified a whole mountain ridge (see Mark’s comment), I thought I had better be extra attentive. The Rubh’ An Dunain is a remote headland located approximately 6km south of Glen Brittle. It is renowned for its notable feature, the “Viking Canal,” which connects Loch na h-Aide with the Soay…
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The stupendous Black Cuillin Ridge
From a distance across Loch Slapin, the Cuillin Ridge appears as the most extraordinary cluster of mountains in the nation, with a rock landscape of unmatched magnificence and astonishing proportions. Their immense size is overwhelming, both frightening and captivating to behold, as if they possess a magnetic pull on the eyes. This range encompasses every…
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View west from Sgùrr Leac nan Each
It’s been another glorious day, although it took a few hours for the overnight cloud to dissipate. Just moments earlier, the range of hills in the far distance had appeared like an island amidst a sea of clouds. I’m not entirely certain what those hills are, but I believe it could be the massif of…
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Sgurr nan Conbhairean from Carn Ghluasaid
Another exceptionally sweltering day in the Western Highlands. Sgurr nan Conbhairean, known as the ‘peak of the keeper of the hounds,’ stands proudly and beckoning. In contrast, the Munro I climbed, the smaller Carn Ghluasaid, means the ‘hill of the movement.’ These enchanting names truly captivate the imagination.
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Bonnie Prince Charlie’s gold
Out and about on my own stamping grounds this morning, and the bank holiday meant that Roseberry was bustling with activity. So instead of sharing yet another snapshot of the popular hill, I figured I’d post one from my recent Scottish escapade. Loch Arkaig has a fascinating snippet of history just itching to be told.…