Tag: travel

  • Eriskay Pony

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    I was in for a special treat – the Eriskay Pony Society offered a guided walk to see the ponies during the “Outer Hebrides Wildlife Festival”.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    I crossed the causeway from South Uist to Eriskay and met the rest of the group in front of the Eriskay shop and up the hill we went. It was a bit boggy in places but the views were just amazing. And suddenly there they were, the wild ponies of Eriskay.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    Our two guides told us about the ponies and how they were used for carrying peat and things. They are also training the young ones so they won´t get too shy.

    Until the middle of the 19th Century ponies of the “Western Isles type” were found throughout the islands, where they were used as crofters ponies, undertaking everyday tasks such as bringing home peat and seaweed in basket work creels slung over their backs, pulling carts, harrowing and even taking the children to school.

    […]

    However, on the remote island of Eriskay due to difficulties with access and the extra cost implications for sustaining larger animals, other breeds were not introduced, leaving a stock of pure bred ponies which, with increasing mechanisation, had declined to around 20 animals by the early 1970s. (Eriskay Pony Society)

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    But today there are about 420 ponies, even though not all of them live in Eriskay.

    The Eriskay Pony stands 124-138cm (12.0-13.2 hands) high. In winter a dense waterproof coat enables them to live outside in the harshest conditions. The predominant colour is grey with the occasional black or bay and no other colours normally occur.  Their legs are fine, with neat feet and only a small tuft of hair at the fetlock.  Foals are often born black or bay and usually turn grey as they mature, although a few individuals remain black or bay into adulthood.  Eriskay Ponies are immensely strong for their size and are able to carry a light adult with ease. (The Eriskay Pony Society)

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    They were training two young ones so we got the opportunity to see them close up.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    Setting up the baskets to transport peat and other goods. There were also some treats in there…

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    He felt left out and also wanted some treats.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    Don´t ever try to feed the ponies (or any other wildlife), they are very used to a certain diet and won´t tolerate other food, even something like an apple might upset their stomach.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

    Looking out over Eriskay after we left.

    Visiting the wild ponies of Eriskay in the Outer Hebrides.

     

     

     

  • South Uist Views

    View from my cottage in South Uist, Hebrides

    I arrived at my lovely thatched cottage in South Uist and got spoilt with the views on my first evening.

    View from my cottage in South Uist, Hebrides

    My cottage was in South Lochboisdale and offered views towards the mountains of South Uist.

    View from my cottage in South Uist, Hebrides

    View from my cottage in South Uist, Hebrides

    My home for the next few days – a traditional thatched cottage.

    View from my cottage in South Uist, Hebrides

    View from my cottage in South Uist, Hebrides

    View from my cottage in South Uist, Hebrides

    View from my cottage in South Uist, Hebrides

    Neighbourhood…

  • Arriving in Eriskay

    Arriving in Eriskay on Bonnie Prince Charles beach.

    It was time to say goodbye to Barra and continue my journey to Eriskay and then South Uist. It was a pretty stormy day and there was an orange warning for the ferry. So everyone in the little cafe at the ferry terminal was quite excited when we saw the ferry coming, a bit late but she was coming and took us over to Eriskay. It was a bit of a wild ride, the waves were crashing over the ferry so all of the cars (and foot passengers) got a good wash.

    But we arrived safe and sound (and a bit wet) in Eriskay!

    Arriving in Eriskay on Bonnie Prince Charles beach.

    I stopped right away at this beach next to the harbour, Prince´s Charlies Bay. Bonnie Prince Charlie landed here in Eriskay on 23rd July 1745.

    Accompanied by only seven supporters the Prince landed off the French frigate Du Teillay at Coilleag a Phrionnsa. Ranald MacDonald, the Captain or chief of the MacDonalds of Clanranald was absent at the time so the Prince summoned  his half-brother, Alasdair MacDonald of Boisdale to meet him on Eriskay. (Visit Outer Hebrides)

    But he got told that the local clans, the MacDonalds of Clanranald, the MacDonalds of Sleat in Skye and the MacLeods of Skye would not support him and he should get back home. The Prince then sailed to the mainland and raised an army there.

    Arriving in Eriskay on Bonnie Prince Charles beach.

    Arriving in Eriskay on Bonnie Prince Charles beach.

    The ferry going back to Barra.

     

    Polochar standing stone

    I crossed the causeway going to South Uist and made another stop at the Polochar Inn and the Polochar Standing Stone.

    Polochar Standing Stone in South Uist.

    The stone probably dates from 2000BC – the views around here are amazing.

    Polochar Standing Stone in South Uist.

    Polochar Standing Stone in South Uist.

    I continued my way towards my accommodation in South Uist but had to take a picture of this imposing church along the road.

    Very imposant church in South UIst.