My Summer of 2023

Chapter 13, Heather Covered Hillsides, A Friendly Reindeer and Scottish mists.

What a fun day lay ahead.

Leaving Ullapool we were on some pretty lonely, narrow roads the next morning. On many of the roads we traveled on this tour, there were spaces to pull aside (Passing Place”) to allow right of way drivers to go forward.

Corrieshalloch Gorge was our first stop where we hiked a short bit to peer down into this very deep gorge with rushing water and several waterfalls. A scenic place, certainly, but otherwise not very noteworthy (particularly in light of all the other places I’ve seen in my travels).

By now we were all feeling comfortable, mingling and chatting with each other on a first name basis. Our further travel was very congenial as we more freely joked and laughed together.

Achnasheen, our next stop, late in the morning, was at a train depot, the only one I saw on this trip into the Highlands. It was more of an opportunity to stretch our legs and simply see the beautiful area. All along our drives into the Highlands, even without stopping at historic sites, the countryside was green, often overcast as clouds hang low over the surrounding mountains. Periods of light rain, mists and drizzle were not enough to deter me from admiring the scenery.

Our driver, Des thought we would enjoy a little out of the way stop that, other than the misty mountain views, was unique. What is special here is a wild deer that has become overly friendly with those stopping at this rest stop. He, the deer, had no fear about approaching people or their vehicles, looking for a handout. Signs around the area cautioned not to feed the animal. This is the same in our own national parks where visitors are told NOT to feed the wildlife as they can become ill eating human food and/or become dependent on it. If nature’s creatures are allowed to eat our foods, it dissuades them from foraging and otherwise relying on their innate instincts to fend for themselves. It is not cruel, it is humane.

With some light rain we were back on the road higher into the surrounding mountains. Picturesque, even with low clouds and the typical Scottish mist, the road was narrow passing through the countryside where sheep and the shaggy Scottish cows grazed contentedly in the fields.

In the village of Strathcarron, hugging the shore of an Atlantic Ocean inlet, Des had reservations for us at the Applecross Inn. Here rain replaced the mists, so outside wanderings were dampened and pretty much avoided.

Following along the coast and countless inlets, the weather changed dramatically as we wove our way along the narrow winding roads on our way to Portree on the Isle of Skye where we crossed over from the mainland at Kyle of Lochalsh to the island. And then, the rain became torrential, Des telling us he had never seen such a heavy downpour. Steams were bursting with rushing water, creating river rapids that would have challenged even the best kayakers.  Meanwhile, along the narrow road, the heavy rainfall created many little rivulets that streamed down, long and narrow from the high mountain tops ending with as many little waterfalls all along the rocky roadside. I was mesmerized, looking out the window, Nature, in all its glory, cleansing all it touched.

Prior to reaching our next destination, Portree, and our B&B’s, the rain ceased. After settling in my very nice room, the rain returned.

I stayed in for the night, read a bit and turned out the lights on the day.