Balmacara Hotel to Inverewe Gardens to Gairloch
Inverewe Gardens, The Impossible Garden
Today we will be leaving the Kyle of Lochalsh and the Balmarcar Hotel located on Loch Alsh and heading to Inverewe Gardens near Poolewe.
But not before we enjoy the amazing sunrise that greeted us this morning. It was so spectacular that a lot of us left our breakfast tables to run outside to take pictures before it faded.
Driving though Lochcarron and a President comes into view.
We make a comfort/coffee stop at Nanny's in Shieldag, Wester Ross-one of THE BEST scones I've had so far.
Once we're refueled with second breakfast, we take a stroll around town.
Shieldag "herring bay" was founded as a training ground during the war against Napoleon then later became a fishing village.
We take a quick photo stop at Loch Torridon and see some of the mussel farms (the lines in the bay, bottom right).
...and Loch Maree...
...then we pass through Gairloch, where we'll be staying tonight and head past Poolewe and to the gardens just off A832.
We grab lunch before it gets crowded in the cafeteria then stroll through the gardens and along the shore of Loch Ewe in the West Highlands.
The Impossible Garden first needed a wind break and then it need some rich soil. To solve the problems, he planted a mixture of large trees and shrubs e.g. Corsican Pine, Douglas Fir, Rhododendrons etc.
The Garden now covers some 20 hectares (50 acres) and has over 2,500 exotic plants and flowers. There is a further 800 hectares (2,000 acres) of land managed for recreation and conservation.
The clouds are threatening so we move quickly through the rows upon rows of flowers, fruits, and vegetables.
James takes a time out to show off his circus skills with a few fallen apples.
The house was closed for the season but we still had to see it. The original Inverewe Lodge was destroyed by fire in 1914 and replaced in 1937 by the current Inverewe House.
We almost walked by this interesting specimen, a Fascicularia, it belongs to the pineapple family and is native to Chile.
And sculptures and ironworks.
We drive into Gairloch and will overnight at the Gairloch Hotel.
The wind is howling and there are white caps on Gairloch Bay.
I finally breakout the IRN BRU-hey it's pretty yummy.
Dinner at the hotel was three course and good.
I had the pate, risotto and poached pear for dessert. All were delicious.
The wind howled all night but we did get some sleep, which is good because tomorrow we visit Dunrobin Castle. Dunrobin Castle is a stately home in Sutherland and is the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland.