Photos and the City

Tag: my new british summer

  • Talmine Bay

    Visiting Talmine Bay in Sutherland, the North of Scotland and taking a break at the turquoise sea and white beach.

    On the road towards Talmine, a crofting and fishing township overlooking Talmine Bay. And already on the way, I was greeted by stunning views of the loch.

    Talmine is really all about its beaches and its bay. It also offers superb sea views to the north east. These extend from the Sutherland coast east towards Bettyhill and include an intriguing collection of small islands in Tongue Bay itself. (Undiscovered Scotland)

    Visiting Talmine Bay in Sutherland, the North of Scotland and taking a break at the turquoise sea and white beach.Visiting Talmine Bay in Sutherland, the North of Scotland and taking a break at the turquoise sea and white beach.

    After a short stop at the local post office and shop it was time to go down to the beach – crystal clear water and white sand was calling my name.

    Visiting Talmine Bay in Sutherland, the North of Scotland and taking a break at the turquoise sea and white beach.Visiting Talmine Bay in Sutherland, the North of Scotland and taking a break at the turquoise sea and white beach.

    Somewhere over there in the hills of Brae Tongue is my little hut at the end of the road.

    Visiting Talmine Bay in Sutherland, the North of Scotland and taking a break at the turquoise sea and white beach.

    Visiting Talmine Bay in Sutherland, the North of Scotland and taking a break at the turquoise sea and white beach.

    This was probably my view for the next hour or so. There are some lovely walks around Talmine, but honestly, I just sat there and enjoyed watching the waves.

    Visiting Talmine Bay in Sutherland, the North of Scotland and taking a break at the turquoise sea and white beach.Visiting Talmine Bay in Sutherland, the North of Scotland and taking a break at the turquoise sea and white beach.

    The Shamrock, a 19th-century sloop located within the bay, is protected by Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. (Wikipedia)

    Visiting Talmine Bay in Sutherland, the North of Scotland and taking a break at the turquoise sea and white beach.

    I made my way back towards the Kyle of Tongue bridge, but had to stop a few times – that view of Ben Royal and Tongue Bay!

    Visiting Talmine Bay in Sutherland, the North of Scotland and taking a break at the turquoise sea and white beach.Visiting Talmine Bay in Sutherland, the North of Scotland and taking a break at the turquoise sea and white beach.Visiting Talmine Bay in Sutherland, the North of Scotland and taking a break at the turquoise sea and white beach.Visiting Talmine Bay in Sutherland, the North of Scotland and taking a break at the turquoise sea and white beach.Visiting Talmine Bay in Sutherland, the North of Scotland and taking a break at the turquoise sea and white beach.

     

  • Kyle of Tongue

    A roundtrip along the Kyle of Tongue on Scotlands North Coast.

    I found a map in my little hut, describing the Kyle of Tongue and all places of interests along the way. I didn´t find all of them, but it was still a beautiful and very scenic drive along the loch.

    A roundtrip along the Kyle of Tongue on Scotlands North Coast.

    Driving towards Tongue (the village) I got my first glimpse of Castle Varrich, sitting on a high point and overlooking the bay.

    The name Tongue also has Old Norse origins, but more obvious ones. It comes from “tunga” or tongue of land projecting into the loch. But although the Norse probably lived here between the 900s and 1200s, nothing certain has been found of their settlement. (Undiscovered Scotland)

    A roundtrip along the Kyle of Tongue on Scotlands North Coast.

    And the first glimpse of Ben Loyal with its distinctive shape of the four rocky peaks.

    A roundtrip along the Kyle of Tongue on Scotlands North Coast.

    View of Castle Varrich from the church. This small tower, perfectly located on the summit of a steep cliff dominating the Kyle of Tongue, might have been built by the Norse. The origins of the castle are unknown, but “some believe it could be the “Beruvik” mentioned in the Norse Orkneyinga Saga.” (Undiscovered Scotland)

    It also might have been built by the Mackay family or the Bishops of Caithness in the 16th century.

    The Mackay family definitely built the “House of Tongue”, situated nearby.

    A roundtrip along the Kyle of Tongue on Scotlands North Coast.
    St. Andrew´s Church

    The little church north of Tongue is a perfect spot for a little break.

    A roundtrip along the Kyle of Tongue on Scotlands North Coast.
    Ben Loyal

    A roundtrip along the Kyle of Tongue on Scotlands North Coast.Driving out of Tongue and along the single track lane around the Kyle. Since the Kyle of Tongue bridge was built this road isn´t used a lot anymore. Before the bridge across the loch was built in 1971, a passenger ferry was in use.

    A roundtrip along the Kyle of Tongue on Scotlands North Coast.

    While I´m on the lookout for remains of former crofting villages, that were abandoned during the Highland Clearances, Ben Loyal is showing the way.

    A roundtrip along the Kyle of Tongue on Scotlands North Coast.A roundtrip along the Kyle of Tongue on Scotlands North Coast.A roundtrip along the Kyle of Tongue on Scotlands North Coast.

    When I arrived back at the Kyle of Tongue bridge and saw Castle Varrich from the other side and also enjoyed the view of Tongue village, I decided to not go back right now but continue towards the next village…

  • The Hut at the end of the road

    The sheperd´s hut at the end of the road in the Scottish Highlands.

    I spent my first evening in the shepherd´s hut (and every other one too) just staring out of the window, overlooking Tongue Bay and watching the change of tide and colours. The sunset went on for hours – the best tv ever!

    The sheperd´s hut at the end of the road in the Scottish Highlands.

    The hut is situated at the end of the road near Skullomie, looking out on the bay towards Talmine. Walking up the hill behind the hut it was possible to see the little harbour of Skullomie and some ruins of houses left behind after the Highland Clearances.

    For now, enjoy the view…

    The sheperd´s hut at the end of the road in the Scottish Highlands.

    The sheperd´s hut at the end of the road in the Scottish Highlands.The sheperd´s hut at the end of the road in the Scottish Highlands.The sheperd´s hut at the end of the road in the Scottish Highlands.The sheperd´s hut at the end of the road in the Scottish Highlands.The sheperd´s hut at the end of the road in the Scottish Highlands.The sheperd´s hut at the end of the road in the Scottish Highlands.The sheperd´s hut at the end of the road in the Scottish Highlands.The sheperd´s hut at the end of the road in the Scottish Highlands.The sheperd´s hut at the end of the road in the Scottish Highlands.The sheperd´s hut at the end of the road in the Scottish Highlands.