Our photographer gets around, this time it looks to be one of the brochs at Glenelg, awesome things to see. They are iron age settlements, or so it’s thought. Often with two skins, or layers of stone, both animals and people could reside within. Defensive, almost certainly. They lie in the most unspoiled valley that will enchant you should you ever visit.
Starfish family - seven and five*, fresh from the sea and into the hands of my friend Calum.
(the number of arms)
Eilean Donan Castle
The ferry between Dornie and Ardelve during the 1920’s, you will note the castle has not been fully rebuilt at this time.
I‘ve posted a lot of pictures of Eilean Donan but this one shows it as it was for along time, a shell of it’s original glory. One stalwart soul had the vision and drive to renew the old stone and make it shine - the most photographed castle in Scotland is his legacy to all that have enjoyed it.
(Click here for a wee bit of history.)
Fancy this saltire? Try your luck with the contest on Facebook and the saltire that has hung outside Eilean Donan Castle may be yours….
“So the time has come to replace the Saltire that flies proudly above the castle, and as such I’m going to give away the old one if anyone fancies it. Just comment below as to why you believe YOU are the worthy recipient, and I’ll pick a winner! The reasons can be honest or funny; you decide, it’s only a bit of fun!”
(For source link and information about the contest, click here.)
What could I possibly tell you about Eilean Donan Castle that you don’t already know…
It’s one of, if not the, most photographed castle in Scotland, giving competition to the dramatically located Urquhart Castle on the Banks of Loch Ness and the equally spectacular Edinburgh Castle, guardian of a great and historic city. What is it about this castle we love so much? It sits on a confluence of three sea lochs, Loch Duich, Loch Long and Loch Alsh, looking toward the Isle of Skye. Its island position gives it a romantic aura but there’s been bloodshed and suffering in the life that runs through its veins. Brought to the ground and left to neglect, it took the vision of one MacRae with fortitude (their motto) to ressurect it to glory. He dedicated his life to this task. For me Eilean Donan will forever be a beacon, a reminder that home is not far - there is rest for us all one day.
This unqiue photo comes from Stuart Blance (Facebook) and compels us to remember, it’s not romance that builds castles, it’s the strength of the stone, the determination in the mortar to hold together and the fortitude to endure over time.)
The writing on the window says it all, but not this time. This remarkable island with its epic landscape and moody, broody - ‘don’t try to pin me down because as soon as you do I’ll change the rules’ weather has not been wet. In fact, it’s been very, very dry. I hope we can all send some rain their way and put things in their rightful place. For now, isn’t this a gorgeous photo, north end of Skye with a ceiling of cloud that can’t possibly dim the light and beauty of the contours of the land.
(All credit to Frank Heumann, click on link for more.)
An Atlantic puffin in contemplative mood, somewhere off the coast of Raasay. They are the national bird of Newfoundland and Labrador I believe, a species at threat due to changes to their feeding conditions. They are pelagic, which means they dive for their dinner, supplementing with crustaceans and other sea life. I love their bold, colourful beak which grows larger and brighter during courting. Most of the time they are quiet fellows, apparently being known to purr, although this changes during mating season, when they can growl and squawk with the best of them. Are you wondering where Raasay is? It’s a small island off the coast of Skye, reached by a short ferry ride. I love this island for lots of reasons, not least because of one very deteremined man named Calum, who single handedly built a road. He got fed up with waiting for the powers that be to do the job, so he did it himself, properly. He is one of my heros.
(Credit to Frank Heumann for this wonderful photo, for more images, click on the link.)
