Wild and Sexy Mountain man!!!
Delicious.
Matty - you can lead a horse to water, and it seems you can make him drink!
Little was I aware of the impending brain-freeze!
Thomas "Clan Campbell" with the mountain of the warrior queen, Scathach, in the background. She was the mightiest warrier of her time, and warriors would travel from all over the world to train with her. A giant from Ireland called Cuchulainn was so incensed that a woman could be the best, and he set out to challenge her. For 3 days and nights they fought, her wits and experience matching his youth and strength.
Eventually they realised they were an even match, and decided to fall in love instead!
The Cuilan mountains are named after Cuchulainn, and hopefully this summer I can get to go back and hike across the mountains.
Next up was Portree, were I once spent a disastrous night sleeping outside and getting eaten to death by midges.
Portree has a delightful harbour with its multi-coloured buildings.
View of the Old Man of Torr - Old man being slang for something slighty more risque than an old man! Wasn't sure if I preferred the colour or sepia version, so have them both!
Scotland has some beautiful rivers!
En route hiking up to the old man of torr. One of the rare photos featuring camera shy Katti from Finland.
Go Emily Go! Emily is a helicopter pilot in Aberdeen! Nice!
Who could resist more photos of our intrepid guide
On the way back down.
What you looking at punk!!
Kilt rock, named after all the pleats in the rock.
Next up was a stop at Quirang. I can't quite recall what was special about that spot, but it was sure magnificent, with some really plush comfy grass.
Take that you fiend!
Aaahhh sweet!
Action Nan!
A fairly botched attempt at a handstand. Did you know that the word botch comes from a Scottish engineer, Mr Botch, who designed a bridge back in the day, and a massive storm wiped it out and the train crossing it, killing everyone, so he was promptly removed from work on the famous Firth of Forth bridge.
Northern point of Skye. Legend has it that 2 clans (I forget the details) had arranged a boat race between 2 clan members to the northen most point of skye, and whoever touched land first would win the land for his clan. It was tough race, and the chap coming just behind knew he could not overtake right near the end, so he cut of his hand and threw it onto shore before the leader, thus winning the race. This is where the Red Hand in many clan crests comes from.
Next up was atrip to the Fairy Glen, a really interesting and beautiful little place. Everything is in miniature - the hills, the lochs, the trees. The hills all have the most interesting ribbed like effect.
Druids used to come here to think and solve problems, so people can leave little personal items here, and this will solve the problem you need help with. Its very bad luck to remove an item that has been left here.
Walk into this spiral, thinking of your problem, leave the problem in the middle, and walk out again a little bit lighter.
Final stop was a little graveyard, where some of my clan, the Macneils are buried, although I couldn't find any.
When the Knights Templar (who invented banking incidentally) were being murdered and prosecuted, they were given refuge in Scotland. Here lies one of the Knights Templar.
What are you doing you Fannyyy??
A game of cards back at the hostel.
Now, my geocaching bud, Goofster, travelled to Scotland from South Africa just to watch the band Runrig, and in fact they have a song called Skye, so have a listen here.
1 comment:
oh wow, this looks absolutely fabulous!!! great photos and stories. scottland sure is a pretty place. no wonder you were sad to hae to go back to old london town.
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