After a month exploring on land and sea, sadly we have left Scotland! Glacial valleys and cirques, heathlands, ancient ruins, sea stacks and remote islands, green cool places, wild rocky highlands and oodles of wild life and flowers! ‘How many kinds of sweet flowers grow ...... ‘ tra la la. It is a magical place! Ancient rocks and land from a time when Scotland was in the Southern Hemisphere, part of the supercontinent of Pangaea. Truly! It remained joined with North America after the supercontinent split apart. Not part of Britain at all which was joined with Europe! Hmmm???!!
We have seen so much and have been overwhelmed by the magic, the grandeur of the rocks, the mountainous formations, the shape of the land that is of an entirely other time. Don’t get me started!
Yesterday we traversed the Rhinns of Galloway driving passed hedges of deep ted and purple fuschia, stone walls, wee fishing villages. Then finally walked the last little way to the southern most point of Scotland. From Dunnet Head to the Mull of Galloway, we have been to the most northern and southern points of mainland Scotland. In fact including the islands, we’ve been pretty much to all the cardinal points of Scotland.
What a stunningly beautiful country it is! No wonder the Brits/southern power brokers and Norse ‘negotiated’ over it! Fortunately, as they say, ‘the story is not over yet!’
In a few hours we will be in Northern Ireland. Soraidh and Dia dhuit!
Beinn Eighe, a complex mountain massif in the northwest Highlands, forms a long ridge with many spurs and summits. The name Beinn Eighe comes from the Scottish Gaelic meaning File Mountain. It’s quite awesome.
This wee loch was half covered in white water lilies. Very pretty
A tiny port on a remote peninsula in the northwest.
And we saw a few! They look gorgeous but they are a pest here.
The red squirrel is being reintroduced into some areas.
1mile? They were everywhere!
Ba ba black sheep. Just love these little guys.
These gorgeous velvety creatures ran over to the fence when we pulled up. I picked some herbs to give them but they just wanted to lick my hand. Beautiful things.
Portpatrick. A quaint little port where had lunch (seafood paella) on the water front.
Dogs everywhere! They are allowed on public transport and on pubs and cafes. Not my favourite behaviour!
The lighthouse on the Mull of Galloway. Another Stevenson design.
Spectacular views from the top of the mill and a very good wildlife centre.
This is a burdock, member of the thistle family.
Check out the hooks on the prickles. Ouch!
Aren’t these sweet - and also the busy insects!
This is a red tailed bumblebee. Beautiful fellow. Check out his leg punch. Chocked full.
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