Traveling on the Isle of Skye...Portree Parish Church

 

I must admit while visiting Portree, the main town on Skye, not enough care was taken when photographing the Portree Parish Church.

 

The doors are open during the summer months. My daughter and I were traveling Scotland in

October.

 

St Columba and St Taraglen are depicted in stained glass windows. If you will click HERE, it will link you to Undiscovered Scotland. This site gives you beautiful photos of the interior, especially the stained glass windows.

 

 

It sits higher than the walkways and is surrounded with a decorative iron fence.

 

Here is a quote from Scotland's Churches Trust:

 

"St Columba brought Christianity to Skye and the ruins of earlier churches are to be seen in and around Portree. The present building was built as a Free Church in 1854, became the United Free Church in 1900 and the Church of Scotland in 1929"

 

 

I did say it was October....it was glorious weather that day. In fact, our entire trip was blessed with fair weather.

 

Meggie Mac

 

 

Linking today with inspired Sunday. Click HERE to view other churches.

Wild Bird Wednesday...A Robin Within a Scottish Castle Wall

 

Doesn't he look a little shy? I still don't know how I managed to get a photo of him.

 

 

Most of the time he was flying around in a small cavernous spot, within the walls of Eilean Donan Castle. 

 

 

While I was photographing the robin, I thought his behavior was because he felt trapped.

 

 

Looking back on the incident, I now believe he and his mate had a nest close by....and, he was only trying to protect them from my intrusion.

 

Click HERE to read my post about Eilean Donan Castle.

Meggie Mac

 

 

Today, for my first time, I'm linking with Wild Bird Wednesday.

Traveling Through Scotland...One Dessert at a Time

 

The title of my post is laughable, but, oh so true. From day one, I noticed how different everything tasted.

 

Our first menu, in Scotland, was from a small pub/restaurant.

 

 

It was fish and chips....and mushy peas.

 

 

Another side-street café serving lunch.

 

 

With a chill in the air most days, soup was my first choice for lunch.

 

 

And, always followed by coffee and a special dessert.

 

 

There was no resisting with window displays like this.

 

 

For our evening meal, my daughter and I, would decide on a nice restaurant.

 

 

And, of course, another dessert.

 

 

A Scottish Burger, to put all other burgers to shame !

 

 

More soup and their famous fresh seafood.

 

 

Followed by the sharing of each other's dessert.

 

 

No trip to Scotland would be complete without trying Haggis.

 

 

......and, so I did.

 

 

Yes, it was followed by dessert !!

 

 

We even found the food cart, on the train, tempting.

 

 

Nothing like a Tunnock's Caramel Bar for an afternoon pick-me-up.

 

 

After leaving Glasgow, we noticed signs in Gaelic and English.

 

 

No words necessary in English or Gaelic...just point in the direction of chocolate.

 

 

So what shall we order this time....

 

 

Maybe something small ?

 

I've been wondering why my senses seem to peak while traveling in Scotland...could it be because I was on my dream holiday? I do know, it was a very happy time for me.

 

And, the chance to travel with my youngest daughter, only sweetened the experience.

 

Meggie Mac

 

Eilean Donan Castle...Dornie, by Kyle of Lochalsh

 

Imagine...

 

standing here, looking at one of the most photographed castles in Scotland.

 

 

 

The late afternoon sun only enhances the beauty in the setting.

 

 

Picturesquely located within the Highlands of western Scotland, views like this can inspire the heart to write a romantic novel.

 

 

Seamless reflections making it difficult to see where they begin. This is the stone bridge that connects from the mainland, to the islet.

 

 

One feels the history, as you walk the narrow bridge, with the castle looming large on the other side.

 

 

The entrance gate, complete with a portcullis.

 

 

 

 

Views from inside the castle walls of the entrance steps to the Main Keep and Billeting Room.

 

 

As we were following the Bastion and Great Well Walkway, I looked straight down to capture the heptagonal sides of the water cistern.

 

 

The flag of Scotland, waving freely in the wind.

 

 

Three lochs come together here...Loch Long, Loch Duich, and Loch Alsh.

 

 

The castle, founded in the 13th century, became a stronghold of the Clan MacKenzie and their allies, the Clan MacRae.

 

The most destructive damage, to the castle, was carried out during the Jacobite Uprising, in 1719.

 

Through the vision and dedication of Lieutenant-Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap, and his clerk of works, Farquhar MacRae, we are able to enjoy the castle we see today.  The work began in 1912 with completion in 1932, at a cost of a quarter of a million pounds.

 

 

Saying Good-Bye to this day.....

with one more look at Eilean Donan.

Meggie Mac

 

I'm linking today with A Bit About Britain. Click HERE ....you won't be disappointed in the beautiful photography and interesting posts. 

An Unexpected Stop, on the Road to Clan MacDonald Lands

 

If it had not been for our wonderful Isle of Skye, native born tour guide, we would have missed this view. Gus knew all the out of the way places.

 

When my daughter and I first arrived at Blairdhu House, in Kyleakin, our host suggested him as a driver....lucky for us.

 

Traveling by way of the A851, he said, "Let's make a side trip for another beautiful spot to photograph". The A851 road is on the peninsula of Sleat.

 

 

Do you not agree...incredibly beautiful reflections on the water.

 

 

A wonderful way to experience life on the island,with the people who actually live.....

 

 

and work there.

 

 

Not the usual tourist stop.

 

 

The clarity of the water captured my heart.

 

 

Peaceful....I could stay forever.

Meggie Mac