A bridge takes you from the beauty of the Scottish Highlands over Loch Alsh to the almost fairy tale world of the Isle of Skye.
The Portree waterfront bay on the Sound of Rassay is evidence of a special charm
while the beauty of nature is irresistible. Skye, the largest of the Inner Hebrides, is 52 miles long and between 5-15 miles wide. It embraces rivers and lochs (lakes) like Loch Leathan below.
A magnificent stretch is the Totternish peninsula. A star in this area is The Old Man of Storr.
The Old Man and the other pinnacles are the result of what is called landslip.
The Vikings ruled the Isle of Skye for some 500 years until they were defeated by the Scots at the Battle of Largs in 1263.
Portree, Port Righ in Scottish Gaelic, is Skye's capitol and largest town with around 5 thousand.
The name stems from a visit by King James V in 1540. Many Scots sailed from Port Righ/Portree to escape poverty in the 1700's and again in the 1840's during the famine.
It has become a tourist destination and hosts music and film festivals.
Skye is a land of abundant water and beauty.
The Mealt waterfall is near what is called Kilt Rock, because of its resemblance. On windy days, the flow never reaches the Sound of Rassay because it is blown away.
Though my loving mate has asked that I desist in such thoughts and likewise the encouraging of my daughters to consider it, I could indeed consider this area of Scotland as a place to emigrate if the 2020 election were to go a particular way. Yes, it has abundant water, natural energy and beauty but the fiercely independent spirit, power to the people, intellect and progressive thought are appealing. Some deep place in the DNA just seems to resonate.
Coming up, the story behind the Highland Maiden and to a place where Agatha Christie could have lurked.
See you down the trail.
At last! Some pictures of the food! 'Course I had to call up the website of the Portree Hotel to see them. Harrumph!
ReplyDeleteHi Tom, we just got back from a Canada rail journey and various special excursions in the magnificent Canadian Rockies--a bucket list kind of thing. Even stepped foot on a glacier (Athabasca, one of the biggest). My wife is Canadian, of course, so were we to relocate there we could make the transition. BUT we simply have too much invested here, we'd be too far to see the grandchildren regularly, plus there is nothing essentially unpleasant about Cambria, a place that has escaped urbanization and most gentrification. I've/we've landed here and should consider ourselves fortunate. If we want to visit elsewhere, we genereally have the means. Also, as a former relocation consultant (some called me the "guru of get the hell out," I know well that a visit is never the same thing as full emigration and settlement, you could make a big mistake...
ReplyDeleteI had no idea Scotland was so beautiful. Your photos have been very enlightening.
ReplyDeleteAnother great photo portfolio. Skyye is indeed a magical place which may explain why they came up with that golden elixir: Drambuie
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