On our last morning in Aberlour looking out our cottage window, we were blessed with a stunning sunrise and a roe deer walking across the field in front of our cottage.
We had really enjoyed our time in Aberlour and funny thing was that the cute stone pub that was once owned by Rob’s great grandparents was up for sale. How romantic would that be!!
After 2 weeks in Scotland we now understood the Autumn Scottish weather pattern, which is cold, windy and sporadic rainy followed by brief blinding sunshine, blue skies and rainbows. We much prefer this cool mystical weather than the 43 degree heatwave we experienced in France.
Our next rural destination lead us into the Scottish highland which we both found spell binding and remarkably wild, isolated and beautiful. Our accommodation was in Ullapool. The last big village town (which we found tiny) before road tripping along the highland coastal trail. Ullapool consists of a row of pretty white stone washed buildings set on a port and Loch Broom. On the edge of Loch Broom sits a majestic mountain with waterfalls cascading and spilling down its belly.
Our cosy accommodation was on the hillside looking over Loch Broom and the mountain side. In the early morning the low cloud cover would blanket the mountain like a warm scarf. Harbour porpoises, dolphins and humpback whales visit the sheltered waters of Loch Broom. A seal colony lives off shore on the Summer Isles.
Exploring the highlands area was so relaxing due to the vast wilderness. The Autumn season painting a beautiful escarpment of red, purple, orange, yellow and brown added to its sheer beauty.
The narrow single car roads provided us with a relaxed drive. Many sheep shared our paths. We even had a few sheep who were keen stay on the road and lead the way.
How blessed these sheep were to live in such a remote peaceful wilderness surrounded by stunning sea views.
The sheep led us to some of the best views near the Ullapool light house which was set on a stony beach. We also took in the breathtaking sea views where a cluster of small islands congregated along the coastline.
We followed the coastal trail onto Ardvrick Castle which was surrounded by a Loch. This beautiful ruined castle was built in 15th century. When we visited the grey cloud cover added to the castle’s gloomy atmosphere. Throughout its life it was the scene of much violence including murders, executions and sieges. Nature is said to have carried out the final ray of violence when lightning hit the castle and destroy it in 1795.
A snug waterproof coat is a must to explore the highlands but this was not necessary for this little furry highland fellow.
Across from the castle a waterfall pounded it’s path down the hill.
Further along scary looking trees sat on bewitched island lochs!!
In the tiny village of Baddidarach the fast flowing waters took our eye. Along with the Scottish pie shop where we brought a mushroom and chestnut pie and a cauliflower, broccoli and cheese pie.
This area is filled with jaw dropping remote rocky beaches whose rocky shores are steeped with seaweed. Here seals are nearly impossible to spot as they blend into their landscape.
Lochs surprise you from around every bend. Breathtaking views are all around. Pine forest mix with craggy mountains whose escarpments plunder heavenly waterfalls. These mountain falls turn into the veins of the land. Flowing rapidly over wild hills and fields. We are really enjoying the wild Scottish wilderness more than Iceland!!
Corrieshalloch George was another magical area not far from Ullapool that we explored. We walked to view the falls which involves crossing a suspension bridge which hung high over the gorge. The thought of crossing over a tiny bridge that hung over a gorge became a even more real experience when the whole thing swayed underfoot with every step!!! Another scary thing that added to our fear of stepping onto the bridge was that it was built back in 1874. Maybe that is why it was so unstable!! A sign stated clear no more than 6 people on the bridge at a time. We were very polite about letting others cross!!
The narrow thin gorge is said to be carved back in the ice age up to 2.6 million years ago. There are several waterfalls here. The tallest being a spectacular 45 metre drop.
The viewing platform was just as scary as the platform jutted out over the chasm and you could see through it underfoot. Our eyes wanted to take in the bountiful spectacular but our brain didn’t want to engage in any of this high risk behaviour!!!
The walking trail that surrounded the falls was beautiful.
We started on our journey to the Isle of Skye with brisk weather that woke us up every time we stopped and stepped out of the car. No need for coffee!! There were many wonderful reasons to stop along our trip. There were many beautiful waterfalls and rock water cascades but a favourite was when we spotted a herd of deer in the fields. They also came a little closer to observe us and then they got spooked and jumped into a fast flowing creek. We watched as they were taken away with the current down stream. They struggled to reach the bank and jump out with such spirit flinging water off their coats.
