Photos and the City

Tag: my british summer

  • Along the way to Dornie

    My final destination for this day way a B&B near Eilean Donan Castle, my most northern stop for this time. But there was still a little way to drive and a few things to see. For tea I choose the “Castle Stalker view” – a lovely little restaurant with the best view of Castle Stalker.

    Along the way to Dornie 1

    Set on an island in Loch Laich Castle Stalker is privately owned, even though they now offer tours to the castle during the summer (which I only found out right, but that´s a good reason to go back there another time).

    Along the way to Dornie 2Along the way to Dornie 3

    Driving around moody lochs and being stopped by boats going through a lock.

    Along the way to Dornie 4Along the way to Dornie 5Along the way to Dornie 6Along the way to Dornie 7

    And again we were stopped by heavy transport – there were some wings going by…

    Along the way to Dornie 8

    Finally the first view of Eilean Donan Castle, which I´ve known already from so many movies and tales.

    Along the way to Dornie 9

    It was raining cats and dogs when I arrived at the Seadrift B&B and lucky me, otherwise I would have missed this special greeting!

    Along the way to Dornie 10Along the way to Dornie 11Along the way to Dornie 12

    The Skye Bridge, connecting Skye to the mainland was only a few minutes drive, but this time I saw Skye only from this side!

  • Dunstaffnage Castle and Chapel

    Passing Oban I was ready for another stop and nice stroll at Dunstaffnage Caste, an impressive but grim old ruinous walled castle right after Oban.

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    Built around 1220 by Duncan MacDougall, the son of Earl Somerled, known also as the ‘King of the Isles’, Dunstaffnage Castle was built at the height of the battle between Scotland and Norway for control of the Hebrides and was even once besieged by Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Independence. Its formidable stone curtain still has the power to inspire awe in visitors while Dunstaffnage Chapel, concealed amongst the trees, offers a stunning example of 13th century architecture. (Visit Scotland)

    dunstaffage castle, oban, argyll, bute, scotland, castle, the campells, ruins, walls, summer, my british summer

    The former kitchen & fireplace

    dunstaffage castle, oban, argyll, bute, scotland, castle, the campells, ruins, walls, summer, my british summer

    It´s one of Scotlands oldest castles and seen quite a lot of action during the centuries. But even before that there stronghold “was held by the kings of Dalriada in the 7th century, and one of the places where the Stone of Destiny was perhaps kept.” (The castle of Scotland)

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    The gatehouse inside the walls was added in the 18th century and the

    residential compartments are believed to be where Flora MacDonald is believed to have been held prisoner have helping Bonnie Prince Charlie evade capture by the Redcoats following his disastrous defeat at Culloden in 1746. (Visit Scotland)

    But she only stayed for a few days until she was moved into the Tower of London.

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    dunstaffage castle, oban, argyll, bute, scotland, castle, the campells, ruins, walls, summer, my british summer

    A little bit behind the castle in the woods there is a chapel also dating from the 13th century.

    dunstaffage castle, oban, argyll, bute, scotland, castle, the campells, ruins, walls, summer, my british summerdunstaffage castle, oban, argyll, bute, scotland, castle, the campells, ruins, walls, summer, my british summerdunstaffage castle, oban, argyll, bute, scotland, castle, the campells, ruins, walls, summer, my british summer

     

  • Dunadd – Dùn Ad

    Dùn Ad – fort on the [river] Add

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    Discover the Gaelic Kingdom of Dál Riata and the royal centre of Dunadd – a stunningly beautiful hill fort in modern day Argyll, where a footprint in the rock marks the inaugural spot where the Gaelic kings were symbolically married to the land they were to rule – a consort to the female nature spirit which the Gaels worshipped from pagan times. (BBC)

    dunadd, scotland, argyy, bute, uk, historic scotland, birthplace, fort, my british summer, roadtrip, river add

    I discovered Dunadd more or less by accident, the night before at Bellanoch I was browsing the Historic Environment Scotland looking for something else when I realised that Dunadd was just a few miles away from me. When I arrived at the tiny parking at the foot of the hill, I had it all for myself.

    dunadd, scotland, argyy, bute, uk, historic scotland, birthplace, fort, my british summer, roadtrip, river add

    It´s a short but sometimes steep path uphill be careful when it´s raining or the rocks are wet.

    dunadd, scotland, argyy, bute, uk, historic scotland, birthplace, fort, my british summer, roadtrip, river add

    Dunadd became the capital of the Gaelic kingdom of  Dál Riata founded in the early centuries AD after the Romans had left the area and Irish settled in western Scotland. It might have been an island until the sea levels went down in the 6th or 7th century and left the fort open to siege and seizure.

    dunadd, scotland, argyy, bute, uk, historic scotland, birthplace, fort, my british summer, roadtrip, river add

    Already occupied in the Iron Age it became the seat of the Gaelic kings, it´s known for “unique stone carvings below the upper enclosure, including a footprint and basin thought to have formed part of Dál Riata’s coronation ritual.” (Wikipedia) It was mentioned as a fort, seat of the kings and important place until the 16th century.

    dunadd, scotland, argyy, bute, uk, historic scotland, birthplace, fort, my british summer, roadtrip, river add

    Dunadd Fort rises proudly from Moine Mhor – the ‘great moss’ – an expanse of bog that carpets the southern end of Kilmartin Glen. It was home to a fort 2,000 years ago, and a royal power centre of Gaelic kings in the 500s to 800s AD.

    Below the mighty fort site are some extraordinary features carved into the rock, including two human footprint shapes – similar to a pair found at Clickimin Broch. (Historic Enviroment Scotland)

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    dunadd, scotland, argyy, bute, uk, historic scotland, birthplace, fort, my british summer, roadtrip, river add

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