SCOTLAND - Ballachulish to Nairn visiting Isle of Skye & Clan Donald centre

SCOTLAND - Ballachulish to Nairn via Isle of Skye & Clan Donald Centre

Reflections of Scotland

"What an amazing view' this was the words I uttered first thing on opening the window. We Had spent the night in Isles of Glencoe hotel & our room looked out over this lovely water.

Mist on the highlands

Get to work you are way behind

Internet has been rather sketchy or I have been plain just "too tired"' I am trying to catch up here but I have to say the pillows called after dinner notice that view it really is the best one we have had & made up for all the rooms short comings. Johnny ran me a bath there was no cold water so I had to wait 2 hours to get in & then I emerged red as a lobster. In the morning he was unable to shower as it was scalding hot, way too hot for an irishman.

Scenic drive along the Loch

Harry Potter bridge

Look hard - I took this photo at the monument for all the Harry Potter fans but it did not turn out too well. This is the bridge that you see the hog-wart's train travel over in the harry Potter movie.

Glenfinnan  Monument

Heading north via Fort William we took the ‘Road to the Isles “through some of Scotland’s loveliest scenery, stopping for photos at the Glenfinnan monument.  

The Misty Isle with it's narrow road

At Mallaig we crossed by ferry to the Isle of Skye sometimes called the misty isle. The ferry ride was uneventful, the scenery was beautiful, as usual the photo's do not do it justice. This ferry was huge much bigger than any I have ever been on & it was entertainment watching the cars & buses getting on & off. The mouth of the boat when it opened to take the cars reminded me of a giant baleen whale.

Ferry

Whale mouth opening

It is cold outside

I am frozen 

Look at that view

Dodgem cars

We visited the Clan Donald centre (Lord of the isles) and the most powerful clan of the Isle of Skye. Another beautiful garden much to my excitement but I think Johnny is getting sick of them & me naming all the plants. I am beginning to realise how much I miss my Sydney garden & my gardening girlfriend (hello Helen).  

Clan Donald castle ruins

Gorgeous garden ivy on the ruins

A man's car even if it's bright yellow

Johnny feeling left out in the garden insisted on a photo with this land rover anyone would think it was a rare car. Just a touch of masculinity amongst the flowers probably.

Stone walls everywhere look how big that pink Rhododendron is

Muscats a man size gun

Driving on through part of the island we returned to the mainland by bridge stopping for photos at the picturesque Eilean Donan Castle. Apparently one of the most photographed castles in all of Scotland.

Eilean Donan Castle

Snow on the mountain tops left from the week before

Nessie likes being hand fed

We then drove along the beautiful shores of Loch Ness famous for the monster. Johnny found Nessie & she was happy to be hand fed. I kept my distance as professional photographer. Isn't she lovely & so tame needless to say she disappeared soon after this photo.

Can I go & search for Nessie again she has disappeared

We paused to view the huge ruins of Urquahart Castle before continuing on to the Newton hotel in the centre of Inverness.

Urquahart castle ruins

Tonight we had Scottish entertainment with bag pipes, piano accordion & highland dancers after dinner. Highland dancing is different to Irish dancing but just as entertaining especially when they dance at great speed around swords.

Highland dancers 

Isn't he lovely