Across Scapa Flow

Today was another travel day, starting at the B&B outside Ullapool, then into Ullapool and then across the top of Scotland through a town called Lairg, which had a really up market and large gentlemen's outfitters clothing store. It was hard to imagine where they get their customers from to survive but they are there and Lairg was avery small village. It was the sort of store that Prince Charles would shop at when in Scotland, From there it was over to and up the NE coast to John O'Groats and then onto Thurso/Scrabster and the ferry over to Stromness in Orkney, arriving about 9.45pm tonight, over an hour late. We left late from Scrabster because the ferry was late to arrive and then when we arrived in Stromness it took 15 mins to park the boat - apparently this morning it took 45 mins because the wind was so strong. The ferry took a different route from normal and we came through Scapa Flow, a more sheltered way than the normal route. Scapa Flow is famous as this is where the German Navy Fleet was scuttled by the British at the end of WW1.

We have arrived at our B&B in Orkney, but the internet here is painfully slow, as it was in the Outer Hebrides, it makes this Blogging task much harder.

Here are Pics

The view from the B&B near Ullapool

The B&B

Ullapool Harbour

Abive near Knocken Crag, North of Ullapool

Helmsdale

Helmsdale

Contrast at Helmsdale

Helmsdale

above Helmsdale

Above, John O'Groats Headland

The Stacks, near John O'Groats

Us, near John O'Groats

Also, Near John O'Groats

On the Ferry at Scrabster, about to head to Stromness. Captain described seas for the voyage as moderate to poor.

All for now, P S Thanks to Marianne's father for the fleecy jacket she gave me, it is coming in handy now, I think Summer is no more.

Ullapool - Back on the mainland

Today was mostly taken up with the ferry trip back from Stornaway to Ullapool. We arrived about 5.30 pm and met Ray, our friend Fergus's mum and took her to dinner at the Seaforth Inn. Unfortunately, we only had few hours as we had to also get to the B&B we had booked, which is nice but somewhat out of town on the other side of the inlet that Ullapool is on. Was good to catch up though and Ray is looking well.

Pics

Our B&B in Stornaway

Harbour at Ullapool

Ray & Joy

Tomorrow it is off to Orkney

Life in the Western Isles

Yes there is life in the Western Isles (Outer Hebrides) but it seems  like it would be fairly bleak for much of the year. Today was spent visiting the western part of Lewis and there are lots of Pics.

Marion, I got your comment but too late I am afraid, the closest we got to a McNeil was last night in McNeils pub for a Guinness.

Here are the Pics (and  one video)

These are taken a few miles out of Stornaway this morning, it seems a harsh land, but the colours are great and it easy to see how they get incorporated into the Harris Tweed cloth.

Next stop was a Tapestry Weavers studio that Joy wanted to visit, Her name is Sallie Tyszo and her studio was located at Tobsen, Great Barnera on the western side of Lewis. Unfortunateley she was not home, but her Studio was left open with a note on the table saying, "Sorry, popped over to Poland"

Next stop was the Standing Stones at Calarnish, these are real Standing Stones, not like those poor imitations in Sweden.

A model of the Standing Stones

My new Harris Tweed Cap

Scale Measure

Next stop was the Broch at Dun Carloway

Nearby and next stop was the Gearannen Blackhouse Village, showing how islanders lived in the not so distant past.

A working loom

Locally cut peat stacked to dry and burn in fireplaces.

Sheep on the road everywhere

The Port  of Ness at the top of Lewis, below, the Butte of Lewis.

The Butte of Lewis, not far from the Port of Ness. Graeme, I am sure you emailed me a pic of The Butte of Lewis from when you visited here, so here is my version.

 A lazy morning tomorrow in Stornaway and then off to Ullapool on the afternoon ferry.