Tag: Scottish Isles

  • Summer Isles Boattrip

    For my 2nd day in Ullapool, I planned a special treat – a boat trip to the Summer Isles. The Summer Isles are a group of small islands lying in the mouth of Loch Broom. Today none of the islands are inhabited, the last inhabited one was Tanera Mòr, which is also the largest one.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    Leaving from Ullapool we quickly met the first (of many highlights) seals enjoying a nap.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    Shortly afterwards everyone was looking out for sea eagles, we actually saw a tiny one, but I didn´t manage to take a picture but seeing it was more than enough!

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    Rhue Lighthouse seen from the sea.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    The Summer Isles and meeting the first school of Dolphins.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    They were a bit shy and didn´t come too close to the boat, our captain told us that this school was still recovering from a traumatic event which happened a few days earlier and we also moved on pretty quickly to not disturb them too much.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    The ferry going to Lewis.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    And suddenly the next school of dolphins said hello. These weren’t shy at all and played close around the boat.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    The dolphins said goodbye and we moved on towards one of the isles.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    Turning around and going back to Ullapool.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

    If you´re ever in Ullapool, I would definitely recommend going on a boat trip, it was a stunning drive and seeing all the wildlife was just amazing.

    Boattrip from Ullapool to the Summer Isles and lots of wildlife!

  • Good Bye Orkney

    Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.

    It was time to say bye to Orkney and to island life, for now, it was a hard goodbye but the views from sailing away from Stromness made it easier. I always wondered how it must feel to live on that little island in the bay of Stromness.

    Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.

    The Pelican of London was also ready to sail on.

    Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.

    Bye to my lovely little home with the best view and to lovely Stromness.

    Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.

    Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.

    One last view back and then forwards to Hoy, without a cloud on that day!

    Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.

    There is also a view of the coastal walk from the day before.

    Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.

    The first glimpse of the Old Man of Hoy, as I wasn´t able to hike there, I was happy to see it at least from the ferry!

    Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.

    Around that corner to the left would be Rackwick beach.

    A few hours later we arrived back on Mainland Scotland and I drove to Stoer to start my week in Assynt, another place with amazing views.

    Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.Leaving Orkney and sailing next to the Old Man of Hoy.

     

  • Stromness Coastal Walk

    Walking from Stromness along the coast towards the Ness battery.

    There is a lovely walk starting in Stromness and going along the coastline toward the Sound of Hoy and some remains of World War II.

    Walking from Stromness along the coast towards the Ness battery.

    Looking back towards Stromness and seeing all the houses nestled into the bay.

    Walking from Stromness along the coast towards the Ness battery.

    The Island of Hoy, the very first and probably the only time I saw it without a cloud hanging above it.

    Walking from Stromness along the coast towards the Ness battery.

    Along the walk, there are remains of batteries from World War II and also from earlier wars and also signs telling more about these times and the protection of Scapa Flow.

     

    Walking from Stromness along the coast towards the Ness battery.

    Walking from Stromness along the coast towards the Ness battery.Walking from Stromness along the coast towards the Ness battery.Walking from Stromness along the coast towards the Ness battery.

    Walking from Stromness along the coast towards the Ness battery.

    Ness Battery is surrounded by a golf club and is one of the best-preserved wartime sites.

    During WWII Scapa Flow was the base for the Royal Navy and more than 40000 military personnel were based here.

    Walking from Stromness along the coast towards the Ness battery.
    Ness Battery

    Walking from Stromness along the coast towards the Ness battery.Walking from Stromness along the coast towards the Ness battery.Walking from Stromness along the coast towards the Ness battery.Walking from Stromness along the coast towards the Ness battery.Walking from Stromness along the coast towards the Ness battery.