Scotland: Land & Sea

We left Scotland after two weeks with many memories and even more photos. Scotland is a land of contrasts. Things change instantly. From land to sea. From civilized to remote. From rainy to sunny (mostly rainy). We hope to share some of those contrasts with you over a few weeks. So we'll publish three posts: today we'll feature Land & Sea, next week (Jul 30) Wildlife, and the following week (Aug 6) Landmarks. (Click on any of the pics to enlarge)


Our first five days were spent having a blast in the Loch Lomond/Glen Fruin Area with the Johnson-Rondenet-Smith clan. Joining them in their vacation rental, we totaled four adults, seven kids, three cats, a goose, a parrot, at least 10 peacocks, numerous wild birds (including a barn owl that visited at night), some dead birds/mice (thanks to the cats), and a gazillion midges. At least the occasional showers helped scare away the midges sometimes. Right: some of the changing scenes from the house.

Above: Views from Bute, including one of the many ferries from the area

Above: From the ferry to/from the Isle of Mull. Same lighthouse, different views/days/weather!


One of the things that struck us is how quickly the scenery in the highlands and islands can change, as you can see in the following pictures.

From lush green to desert-like moonscapes

From hills hidden by fog to hills covered in heather


From inland waterfalls to islands made of geometric stone (Staffa/Fingal's Cave)


At Inverewe Gardens (above) you can see the unexpected. The gulf stream moderates the temperature and some tropical species are grown there.


Driving in Scotland is nothing less than a heart-pounding adventure. Rochelle called the roads "Scotland's Disneyland Ride." One-track roads abound, where the locals zoom through and you have to be on your toes, ready to pull over at a moment's notice (literally). The pics (above) don't do it justice, it's one of those things you have to experience yourself.


The setting of some of the towns can rival the countryside. Here are two of the most scenic we visited; Tobermory (Isle of Mull) and Culross (Fife).

Finally, we'll leave you with our favorite sunsets (below). The first is from Poolewe, just outside of our hotel. The second is from our evening drive around Loch Ness -- can you spot Nessie?



Don't forget to come back over the next two weeks for our other Scotland installments!