Photos by Nanci Blog

  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.  Driving through Torridon we see a herd of deer grazing. We take a quick photo stop at Loch Torridon and see some of the mussel farms (the lines in the bay, bottom right). We can see a few "beads' of leftover snow from last week's sn...

Kilt Rock and Mealt Waterfall  Today we get to sleep a little bit later, 9AM lobby call for our coach tour of the Isle of Skye. The skies have cleared and it's looking like a lovely day. There's an eerie fog hanging over Skye, Dragon's Breath, maybe. As we cross the Skye Bridge a rainbow show's itself to us. We make a photo stop at Kyle Aiken. We can see the silhouette of Castle Maol. The castle, an ancient seat of the Mackinnon clan, and was a fortress commanding the strait of Kyle Akin between Skye and the mainland, through which all ships had to pass or else attempt the stormy passage of The Minch. The present building dates back to the 15th century, but is traditionally reputed to be of much earlier origin.  There's an interesting legend that our guide Graham shared with us about Saucy Mary, a Norse Princess who married into the clan and a heavy chain that was laid across the harbor to stop ships until a tariff was paid. Do an internet search for more details. O...