Storytelling from the road
A glorious day for exploring round Loch Ewe and Poolewe and Aultbea and Rua Reidh Lighthouse. I have a thing about red rusty buildings and these look beautiful nestled into the landscape contrasting with the blue skies
Drawing Saltires in the sky
Built in 1912 by David A Stevenson, Rua Reidh Lighthouse, stands at the entrance to Loch Ewe
I am always fascinated to find these desolate places with crumbling pill boxes and WW2 defences. This was originally built in 1941 and used until 1944 by the Royal Artillery. Its was used a departure point for convoys to Russia. Cove Battery
Aultbea also has a NATO base and large ships and submarines often come inshore to refuel here.
Mellon Udrigle So far, my favourite beach in this corner of the earth. Crystal clear water and sparking white sand. Astounding views across the Minch to Coigach, the Summer Isles and Assynt. In some ways I am glad we have the climate we do in Scotland otherwise these beaches would be packed and over-run with tourists which would spoil their natural beauty. I will definitely be back…
I have never been much of a happy camper. I like my comforts too much. Caravanning and sleeping in the back of a van on a futon is about as low as I go. I was mentally scarred by a trip to the lake district in a meagre excuse for a tent which has meant the experience has never been repeated. Each to their own and you never know, with the right arm twisting and a sleeping bag of about 40 tog and you might get me sleeping under the stars once again. However my static caravan at Sands caravan and camping site in Gairloch is a thing of camping dreams. Sands camping
Whats not to love, the window frames the view which is pretty spectacular of honey coloured dunes and purple and pink skies. The perfect view of the Torridon Mountain Range and the Isle of Skye are quite special too.
Nothing like sitting on the deck of the caravan with a glass of wine to unwind, daughter running wild in the dunes, family holiday heaven.
This sunset is definitely a spectators sport
Last fleeting rays of the day
I always draw great inspiration from the sea, something about the coast soothe my soul. This beach reminds me of Balmedie beach in Aberdeenshire. After parking in the small car park, its a stroll over the dunes which opens up to the sweeping vista of pebble dotted red sand.
I have an immense sense of wonder when it comes to sand dunes. They way the wind sculpts them from sand thats is freely blown and deposited creating great pyramids which double as fantastic vantage points to observe the view of Skye. The rose coloured sand is a real contrast to the green and yellow grasses and azure sky and sea. There is a real feeling of isolation and seclusion here which is one of its main draws for me. Just stunning!
The spectacular Sail Mhor (767m) and Sgurr Fiona 1060m (An Teallach) on route to Gruinard Bay. Today I am bagging Monroes through my camera only!
I love a beach and this is a belter. Glorious pink sand as far as the eye can see. These steps are welcoming me down.
Gruinard Island opposite the bay where scientists experimented with anthrax in 1942 as they were worried about an impeding biological attack from the Germans. Despite attempts to disinfect Gruinard Island, the spores left by the experiments kept the island in quarantine for 48 years. In 1990, the Defence Minister, Michael Neubert, declared there was no longer a risk to health and removed the warning sign. Think I might just admire the view rather than visit
Road bridge over the Inverianvie River
Little Gruinard River flows from Fionn Loch to Gruinard Bay. This is the boundary point between Gairloch and Loch Broom parishes. This area has been granted a special area of conservation because of the great Atlantic Salmon found here
Just a glorious viewpoint of one of my new favourite beaches
Such an Idyllic place for a spot of lunch just three miles south of Gairloch. The Badachro Inn complete with own jetty and sun deck in this sheltered cove was todays refuel stop. Think we’ll make use of the deck. The local haul here tends to be lobsters, crabs and prawns. Yum!
Love these majestic craggy trees looking over the headland
What is the fascination for collecting old telephone boxes in your garden?
Slioch best viewed from Loch Maree
https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Slioch.shtml
Unfortunately no time today for a 9 mile hike and the daughter might protest, another time…
The view from Glen Docherty to Loch Maree
Hey, I’m Carol, new to this lark, but its been something I have been meaning to get on with for a wee while. I love the outdoors and seeing new places which has inspired me to finally show some of my personal trips out and about. Scotland will always be home and beautiful as it is, I am a fully fledged sun junkie. I think it all stems from my parents who have encouraged us as children to spread our wings and travel to new places. My parents are fully fledged heat seekers, probably as the average temperature here in The Granite City (Aberdeen) sit at a balmy 14 degrees celsius (July is the hottest month in Aberdeen with an average temperature of 14°C (57°F) and the coldest is January at 3°C (37°F) with the most daily sunshine hours at 6 in June. Needless to say, I need a heat every now and again which is part of my motivation for jetting off every year for the annual dose of vitamin D. The other reason I like to explore is my perpetual itchy feet. Cabin fever sets in and I need to escape this corner of the world. Its not that it’s not a beautiful part of the world to live in, it’s simply that there is so much out there and the internet now fuels my wanderlust. Hours can be lost on pinterest visually plotting my next adventure. Next to travelling comes food. They go hand in hand in fact. Theres not much I can’t stomach and i’m always on the look out for a new culinary experience to recreate at home. My main career is as a family photographer but any free time is normally spent getting out and about in the local area with the family and my camera is normally in tow. I hope to help inspire people to also get out and about and see what little gems are ready to be explored.
Thanks for visiting 🙂
