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Island of my Dreams, Harris

245 comments


The Hebridean Island of Harris, famous for the making of tweed, has, I think, woven its spell around me.

Being so far north and out in the Atlantic you would expect rain, wind and cold; not so last week!

I rather like this explanation that I saw:

I have to warn you there are a lot of photos, if you would like some music to help you along, this seems to encapsulate the breathtaking landscape and hugely contrasting moods of the Island:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUj4NTz-T5I

or try a band that are from the Hebrides, this music takes me back to the place I love every time I hear it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbM2BarUOfY&feature=related

Its a long way from Worcestershire, so first a few photos along the journey:

First lovely spot, with a few drops of rain, Glen Etive, just before Glen Coe:

And the misty awe-inspiring Glen Coe:

And look who was in the lay-by!! I hope he didnt need to read the music!!

A battle site over 300 years ago, now transformed into a gentle stream with bluebells and wild flowers along the banks!

In the background Eileen Donan Castle ~ hope they dont need this boat!

Leaving the mainland and ‘over the sea to Skye’ but in fact there is now a rather beautiful bridge across:

A short stop to look at the local weaving and growing happily in what was once an old croft were several of these wild [marsh] orchids:

Drying the wool in the sun ~ yes it was by now hot at 20 degrees:

Several of the smaller burns had dried up since there has been very little or no rain for 8 weeks up here; but on the island of Skye this refreshing stream ran over the rocks:

Leaving Skye we caught the ferry to Harris; this is the view from the house we stayed in: [no photoshopping it is really this colour sky!!!]

And here is the welcome! [home made]

And the view from the kitchen, looking a little bit like Telly Tubby hill!!! but this is real!

In the space of approximately 7 miles there must be 5 of the most stunning beaches in the UK ~ and you get them all to yourself!!!!!!!! This is looking over Luskentyre:

Water so clear it sparkles like jewels over the golden white sand:

Blue skies and blue as blue seas at Horgabost:

Sand made of 80% shell glows through the clear blue water in the sun; sparkling jade between the ancient rocks:

I cant resist a few more photos of Luskentyre ~ it almost seems beyond belief: almost too beautiful to be true:

I watched gannets diving into this bay but just a bit too far for my camera!

Looking across Luskentyre from Seilebost:

Just one more:

Such a beautiful place, has to have spectacular sunsets:

A little walk into the hills of North Harris and look who is here waiting:

Harris has so many colours, so many different aspects, these are some of the rock scattered hills and mountains and can you see the tiny little croft, nestled at the foot of the slopes?

Believe it or not this was growing at the very top of a 100 foot or more sheer cliff, exposed to the wind and rain, very little soil and look at the condition of it!! No idea how it got there, it was the only one:

Lower down, back in South Harris the salt marshes form interesting patterns:

Another beautiful glow as the sun sets over the land of my dreams:

Artists abound, this is a view from one of the studios:

Under deep cloud today, still the loch shimmers silver, within its rocky bed:

Onto lunch!! A simple menu but so very well done, always a home made soup with delicious fresh bread, hot smoked salmon, local cheeses, short bread, warming, healthy and so very good!!!

Harris, the isle of contrast, from sparkling beaches to stone-clad forbiddingly stark mountains, silvered inland lochs and the sea lochs of the rocky inlets of the east side of the island.

The ever present Oyster Catchers, calling their wild ‘peep peep’:

Another very familiar site, sheep alongside every road:

A little further north and joined to Harris is Lewis, you may have seen the Olympic torch setting out from the Callanish stones, they are around 5,000 years old:

Another shot, the tallest must be over 12 foot tall:

Fascinating ancient monuments, this one appears to have held a settlement with room to live, sleep, work, within its double walls:

Still on the Isle of Lewis ~ way up north and what do we find but a garden in the yellow book!!! I was amazed at what they could grow and how many plants they managed to pack in:

This pretty saxifrage:

The couple have been making this garden for 30 years, out of the wild grass and rock strewn land they originally took on, to begin with they lost 80% of the plants and then through trial and error they learned to cope and find ways and plants that worked:

Unbelievable colour! Helped of course by the Gulf stream that warms this coast:

Down into the boggier area:

You can just see the garden in its context of barren rock and windswept grass:

Returning back to Harris and one of the inland lochs sprinkled with waterlilies:

And the warm sun going down over Scarista beach, this would be after 10.30 at night and I would be on the beach till 11, it was still light!

Sadly [for me] the last day; a walk around Taobh Tuath [it sounded a bit like Toe Turrah]; cloudy but still those glistening white beaches and sea shimmering sapphire and jade:

With so little rainfall the machair this year is not as colourful; the flowers that grow on the peat and sand mixture beyond the beach is unique:

The old chapel, abandoned long ago, Im not sure how far the people had to walk in those days?

Looking back across the curved and empty beach:

Marsh marigolds grow wild in the ditches and boggier areas:

I have never seen so many lapwings, nor so close ~ in fact one of them was much too close for my liking, diving over my head ~ obviously protecting a nest:

There must have been almost a field of wild orchids where the lapwings lived, purple, pink and red, unbelievable!

A small island but it has captured me; from the bleak wild mountains, with only the wind and the birds crying to the sparkling jewelled lochs and beaches. It seems to understand how I feel but then it surprises me and shows nature at its utmost best, stunning colours and magnificence wherever you look. I cannot help but love it.

Apologies for a long blog, I just wanted to try to show you even a little of an island that is to me, the place of dreams. I would love to be there more but for now I have my photos and a bowl, made by someone who loves what he calls the ‘Windy Rock’ but this piece with its bare rock surrounds and the glistening blue of the sea and the lochs holds a treasure that is Harris:

This was made by a man who believes in ‘wabi sabi’ basically finding beauty in the imperfections, I think he is right and there is a lot of good in that thought.

Sometimes I feel like those bleak lonely mountains but Harris reminds me that somewhere, in the natural world, if you only look, there are sparkling jewels to make you stand in awe, to reflect, to appreciate, to breathe what is good and to smile.

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Comments

 

You are so clever Sticki, I dont even know how to put a link to a website in my blogs & here you are attaching scenes from your dreams, amazing!

What a place eh, I could certainly live there, I would'nt miss a thing back here.

Thanks for sharing a wonderful trip, all I ask is....
TAKE ME WITH YOU NEXT TIME!

19 Jun, 2012

 

Brought back memories of when I went cycling there 20 years ago Sticki - thank you for the wonderful and thoughtful photography.

19 Jun, 2012

 

That was just wonderful ! no need to say more ...

19 Jun, 2012

 

What wonderful photos of such a wonderful place!! I want to go there! It's amazing! You obviously had a terrific time there, Sticki - and that beautiful bowl! I'm in danger of running out of expressive adjectives! Lovely! Lovely! Lovely!

19 Jun, 2012

 

Tucked your beautiful blog safely in my favourites Sticki. I can see why you love the place as you do. That blue water looks as inviting as anywhere in the Med.

19 Jun, 2012

 

lovely pics Sticki - like the oyster catcher and lapwing - great sea and rock photos - beautiful place

19 Jun, 2012

 

In my favourites too.
What a very fine set of photographs to show us just how beautiful it is up there. Every shot is just one big WOW!
I love the boat planted up and that bowl, so effective.

19 Jun, 2012

 

great blog sticki,fantastic pictures,there are some great views there.wonderful:))))

19 Jun, 2012

 

Sticki its aweinspiring, your photographs and narrative combine to show your love of the beautiful isles..........

19 Jun, 2012

 

Love that quilt too........

19 Jun, 2012

 

ST you made me proud to be Scottish. Loved the whole blog and the music to go with it..that always gives me a lump in my throat. You have captured some of the beauty of Scotland so no aplologies for a long blog..it was a pleasure to see. Wonderful! :)))

19 Jun, 2012

 

Thank you every one, it's very hard to describe how much that island means to me, I feel very sad when I have to leave it.
You would love it willinilli, not many shops there or garden shows, it doesn't need them, life is simpler, in a way.
Diane, how fabulous, cycling through the islands, I love the idea but wouldn't want to cycle up all those hills! Also I would be forever stopping to take a photo so I wouldn't get anywhere!
Thanks hywel
Nariz I'm sure you would love it
Might be a little colder than the med pimms but I love it's colours
It's sooooo beautiful Paul
Thought you might like the bowl lulu, I'm sure the potter had Viking blood! He was lovely too! That quilt was on my bed, I loved it.
Thanks Mark, do you know there are virtually no trees there so maybe building supplies for your projects would be a little trickier!
I'm still sad not to be there pam, I don't quite know how a place can do that to you!
Pixi I know what you mean, it makes me wish I was scottish too.

19 Jun, 2012

 

:) You have been bewitched

19 Jun, 2012

 

Whoa, what a fantastic blog Sticki....you've done Harris proud! :D Enjoyed every bit of it, so no need for any apology about it's length!

19 Jun, 2012

 

Well that's an introduction for me to Harris......such a capturing place.......Your camera certainly worked well for you ,Sticki!......The little Saxifrage is, I think, the one PL bought at the GW show.

19 Jun, 2012

 

I have pixi, but I dont mind

thanks Karen, I think you would like those beaches, but there was no sea glass ~ i looked!

I added a bit to the blog about the bowl, it comes from
http://www.themissionhouse.co.uk
I loved the thinking behind what he creates ~ seeing good things in mistakes?

thanks meadowland, i rather thought it might be the same one, just funny and amazing to find it right up there!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

Oh, Sticki, that was a beautiful blog...
I loved it. :)

19 Jun, 2012

 

You know we go to Galloway south Scotland so I understand being bewitched......

19 Jun, 2012

 

thanks karen, wish i was there now!!
i think we came through Galloway on the journey Pam? I have always loved Scotland and so did my Dad, I first went to Lewis when I was 18 ~ in fact got my A level results from there!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

what a wonderful blog Sticki, your photo's are brilliant, so glad you put them all on, I wondered where you had got to,

19 Jun, 2012

 

Sticki, you said you were sad not to be there - that's how we used to feel at the end of each holiday here - so we upped sticks and moved here! Why not move to Harris?

19 Jun, 2012

 

hello yorkshire, nice to see you too!! we were only there a week, its over too quickly!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

Nariz, a few people up there had done that, i spoke to them, lovely people, if my boys werent so far away and if it was up to me thats where i would be.

OH likes it for a week but not as much as i do. i feel like i belong there somehow??

19 Jun, 2012

 

As you all no I am Scottish and do live inScotland and have a fantasic walking and cyling area on my doorstep .

But I have never been to Harris .

After seeing your photos I think yes.

Stunning photos St.

19 Jun, 2012

 

thank you scotkat, those islands are just something else and you have to be there really to feel how beautiful they are.

the silence is wonderful too!

19 Jun, 2012

 

Beautiful and touching and straight into favourites.
Thank you Sticki.

19 Jun, 2012

 

Great blog, Sticki!
So glad you enjoyed your stay so much and that you got the sunshine to show it at its best. Harris is so dramatic in its different moods and landscapes, as you have celebrated by your brilliant photos. I can still remember turning a corner in the car among the hills and glimpsing, for the first time, that wonderful beach in the distance. Breathtaking!

19 Jun, 2012

 

thanks resi, im really glad you liked it, its difficult to show how beautiful it is

thanks Oji ~ amazing isnt it! that wonderful beach ~ and then the next wonderful beach!! have you been to the other islands?

19 Jun, 2012

 

wow may I be the ..err 17th to click like!! was hoping to be the first!
A stunning stunning bloke Sticki, well done, looks like you had a lovely hold with some fantastic scenery

19 Jun, 2012

 

thanks Stevie, i would like to have spent longer there ~ its not the sort of place to rush in for a week and try to see it all, i would like to have spent a while on every beach, by every loch, well, just more time to 'be' there.

19 Jun, 2012

 

Sticki - fantastic blog. Very good pictures (you getting better have to admit) and you're telling the story in such a wonderfull way. Enjoyed it a lot:)
Wish I could visit the place one day:)

19 Jun, 2012

 

thanks kasy, looking at the lovely views that you enjoy and photo i think you would love it too ~ Hebridean sunsets are something special!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

Truly amazing place to me Stickitoffee. So much life there. I thought those islands were only rocks for bird breeding. Many Greek islands are.

19 Jun, 2012

 

It is to me too Costas, I believe there are around 700 Scottish islands and some [like St Kilda] are only inhabited by birds now but these bigger islands have seen many changes, they have a lower population now than the 1700s I believe?

19 Jun, 2012

 

What a stirring and hauntingly beautiful blog, your love for the island stands out in your desriptive narrative and amazing pictures. I am familar through my son of some of the places as he and his partner did the West Highland Way a couple of years ago then stayed on visiting some of the islands. Thanks for showing us this blog it has to be one of my most favourite Favourites;0))

19 Jun, 2012

 

Wowowoww!! this is very beautiful,Sticki, thank you very much for sharing this AMAZING VIEW!!!!!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

thank you pansy, you are very kind, good words ~ stirring and haunting ~ its how i feel about the island but couldnt think of the right words ~ haunting in the best way of course! my son and his wife also did the west highland way last year, Andrew loved it but it rained a bit too much for his wife!!!

thanks Junna ~ its unexpected isnt it and i think thats part of its beauty too!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

Brought back some lovely memories .....Hebridies are
breathtakingly magical.....nowhere like them ........straight on to faves.........................
Brilliant blog thanks so much for sharing ...:)))))))

19 Jun, 2012

 

I kinda want that quilt too, Lulu...

It was that designer, forget her name, Malcolm McLaren's ex-girlfriend, who saved the Harris tweed industry in the eighties and nineties...

Vivienne Westwood?

19 Jun, 2012

 

thanks niverdeen, im glad you love it there too! have you stayed on any of the other hebridean islands?

that quilt was really on a different bed but i put it on mine cos i liked it so much, there were 3 of them althogether!! probably hand made ~ well using a machine, they didnt seem like shop bought ones. i was thinking the Duchess of Cambridge would look lovely in one of the Harris tweed coats and that would do them no end of good!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

Ahh Sticki - I was looking forward to this, and I was not disappointed! Place of dreams, indeed! Wonderful, just wonderful!

19 Jun, 2012

 

I dont think Harris could ever disappoint me although when you only have a week there I find that I desperately hope the sun will shine at least for a few photos!!

thanks Melchi ~ i cant remember ~ did you tell me you have been there?

19 Jun, 2012

 

It looks very well made Sticki, not easy to get perfect lines and corners like that, what was it backed with?

19 Jun, 2012

 

it was a silky type of material, no labels on it. I think the quilt was probably off cuts of harris tweed sold at some point, they dont seem to be selling them any more!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

Miss Westwood it was!

19 Jun, 2012

 

Didnt Adam on country file do a thing about wool and promoting it?

OH bought a Harris tweed jacket ~ they fit really well and i dont think they wear out!!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

I want to go to Harris - it looks absolutey amazing. I could live there quite happily, what a beautiful blog with some amazing photography thank you so much Sticki it is a fantastic place and you have really done a very good job on promoting such a special island.

19 Jun, 2012

 

What a beautiful place, you can't help but fall in love with it Sticki. Fantastic. Thank you for sharing your holiday.

19 Jun, 2012

 

ps: I am smiling!

19 Jun, 2012

 

thanks olive, do you think they will let me go back there now? i would love to live there too!!!

i know it can be quite dark in the winter and not so easy, wind is a big problem too.

glad it made you smile olive! it does that to me too.

thank you cinderella, glad you liked it too, i dont think many people go there for holidays so its a bit unknown but thats very much part of its charm.

19 Jun, 2012

 

What a treat of a blog, Sticki . . . we are all smiling now :))) Glad you had such lovely weather for one of your favourite places, and thank you for sharing your spectacular photos!

19 Jun, 2012

 

aw, thank you sheila! i was very lucky wasnt I! They do say May and June are good months for them, on all my trips to Scotland we have always had good days, some very hot, but i never dare to expect it!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

fab blog sticki, that water in like being abroad so clear and blue, wish it wasnt so far to get to, enjoyed seeing this very much :o)))

19 Jun, 2012

 

Visited Lewis & Harris Sticki also Skye many times
have been to some of the smaller inner hebrides as well
they all have something special about them and in all weathers. Am not surprised that the Queen used to love to go there when they had the Royal Yacht.I rather think that the tweed industry has had a shot in the arm of late and is on the upturn but as you rightly say having someone from the Royal familys support would do no harm. Keep going back to have another look and hubby as well Thanks so much .:))))

19 Jun, 2012

 

For once, I am speechless. Both with the sheer beauty of the places you visited and withthe amount of time, you have put into making your blog. it is utterly fantastic and some of the places are so beautiful, they make me want to cry. (that's a happy sort of cry). I actually got goosebumps looking at some of the pics.
Oh, I wasn't that speechless was I?
Thank you Sticki for doing that. Jxx

19 Jun, 2012

 

oh, you are all so kind, thank you!!!

i love that water too sanbaz, its the colours!

if i had a boat niverdeen i would be mooring it there too!! i had thought about visiting all the islands until i learned there were 700!!! Mairi Hedderwick wrote a book about island cruising, i loved it.

well what can i say Jane? it makes me cry too ~ which is unusual not to say very rare for me. thank you!!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

Such a beautiful, moving blog Sticki, must go on my faves. Almost as good as going there myself. Maybe, one day, when you're living there I'll come and visit you:-)

19 Jun, 2012

 

thank you BA ~ and if i ever get to live there I will definitely be expecting you and i will make you a cake!!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

Absolutely fabulous Sticki thank you for bringing the beauty of Harris to our screens, loved every thing about it a real treat words and pictures :o)

19 Jun, 2012

 

you are very welcome neellan, i hope you get to visit there some day, thank you!

19 Jun, 2012

 

I shall certainly endeavor too Sticki - wonderful. I love Scotland but have not visited the Islands - yet :o)

19 Jun, 2012

 

Scotland is really beautiful but those islands are even more so!!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

Thats a fantastic blog Sticki, your photos are really something and yes its going in my favs as well, I can easily see why you love it so much, I was amazed to see the garden, the owners have really put a lot into it, a real labour of love and that little yellow plant clinging onto the rocks, nature is so clever at times....

19 Jun, 2012

 

thank you lincslass, the couple that owned the garden live and breathe gardening i think, it is definitely a challenging environment, and they have worked incredibly hard. it was literally wild when they started! rocks and tall grass.

i dont know what that yellow plant is but i dont think it could have been in better condition and yet i have no idea how!!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

BA is right a beautiful and moving blog, breath taking photos, and wonderful scenery, have never seen anything so lovely in all my life, thank you so much for taking so much time and trouble in putting this together, best blog I have ever read.......

19 Jun, 2012

 

oh DD, what lovely things you say! [and much too kind]

it certainly takes a while to re-size all the photos, as you will know but all the rest is down to an island that is so stunning, stark and wildly beautiful that it has captured me!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

What an incredible blog Sticki, 1stly it must have taken hours to put on for us all to read. your photos are fantastic, wonderful. That was a real treat and to music too! Bless you, I felt as touched as you described, we adore Scotland and have been to the very top and out to the Summer Isles, isnt it just out of this world. Truly a dream as you so rightly say. Thank you Sticki.

19 Jun, 2012

 

its re-sizing the photos that takes so long GM!! [oh, and i did take far too many, so sorting through which to use took a while too!!] thank you!

you are very kind, and wow ~ i havent been to the top yet nor the summer isles ~ what are they like? i would really like to visit wester ross. i have a bit of an idea in my head that i would like to go to as many of the islands as i can but im not keen on being on a rough sea!!! i like looking at it though!!!

19 Jun, 2012

 

no need to aplogise about the length of this blog! I was entranced; it's gone into faves and I shall come back again and again.

20 Jun, 2012

 

Good morning St here I am back to yes get my fix again.

Just a perfect day .

I am not good on a boat to am know to get very sea sick.

20 Jun, 2012

 

Sticki, just clicked on popular blogs and see this is blog o the week...in a day!! wow,
well deserved I have to say just enjoyed your pics again : )

20 Jun, 2012

 

It is beautiful up there Sticki, in fact we went to the Isles from Ullapool on a nice sunny day and the sea was fine, maybe you need to choose the weather for a trip out or try one of those wristbands, that might help. What a shame your'e not good on the sea! Another fab. place was the Achill islands, on the west coast of Ireland, stunning along the coast there, anywhere beautiful like that makes me quite emotional! I do love this blog.

20 Jun, 2012

 

thanks fran, glad you liked it ~ i hope to go back there again one day!

hello scotkat, you are welcome any day!!! sunny here too. i was worried about the sea too but it was fine

oh, thanks stevie!! Harris is where i go in my mind, remind myself of that beautiful place when all else seems bad!!

sounds like another lovely place to visit, thanks GM, i have been to south west ireland and loved that. if i get to stay in a place long enough and there is good weather ~ thats my day for going out to sea!!! no good booking ahead in case its rough!!!

20 Jun, 2012

 

I agree Sticki, only way to do it! I want to see the Giants causeway next!

20 Jun, 2012

 

now that is well worth seeing ~ loads better than the pictures show it!!

20 Jun, 2012

 

You have been there then? Its on my list S.

20 Jun, 2012

 

i have, a few years ago, loved it!!

20 Jun, 2012

 

I'd love to go to Orkney, for the archaeology as much as anything else. But it's a fair way from London by pyblic transport ... still, one day, maybe

20 Jun, 2012

 

thats what i keep thinking fran, ~~~~~ one day!!!

having watched the 'shetland diaries' with simon king being the wildlife camera man i would like to go there too.

orkney might be exciting with the up helly Aa fire festival

20 Jun, 2012

 

lol maybe we ought to make a date - I'll do things with other people that I can't be bothered to do meself! But I imagine it'd be a bit crowded at Up HallyAa

lol I saw a farm on Orkney for sale on eBay - almost hundred acres, three ancient monuments, several buildings, and oh, how I wished for my lottery numbers to come up! mind you, I think I'd have to spend time there as a visitor - especially a winter, to see if I could stand it, before I bought. As if ...

20 Jun, 2012

 

sometimes you see whole islands for sale, thats when i really start dreaming!!!

maybe i should buy that lottery ticket??

That fire festival can only be watched by those who dont live there, i think taking part is very specialised!!

20 Jun, 2012

 

there are a couple of "islands for sale" sites - I put that in for a laugh and was surprised to get some results, most of the islands are in Canadian-Carribbean-Pacific waters [a tad too far to commute] but there's been some in Irish waters listed for some years, and a couple near Scotland. There was even one in Poole Harbour, Green Island, only a million Euros.

There's also a "woodland for sale", which I found as I did the island one, put the words in for a laugh. They split woods into sections and sell those, varying from a few acres to a dozen or even more. But one's not allowed to live on the site, so I'd have to find a house nearby ... sighhhhhhhhh

ps: just tried eBay for a laugh - anyone want to buy a 35-acre island in a scottish loch ?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Island-for-Sale-Eilean-Balnagowan-/160823023960?pt=UK_HG_Property_RL&hash=item2571cc9958

20 Jun, 2012

 

Oooooh how lovely!

20 Jun, 2012

 

Fran only £350,000 how about we all on Goy by a chunk??? Lol

20 Jun, 2012

 

Good thought GM I was just thinking could I afford enough to buy a piece as big as my footprint? So I could stand on that bit and say 'it's mine'!

20 Jun, 2012

 

Lovely Sticki, depends how big your feet are Lol!

20 Jun, 2012

 

lovely idea, GM! we'd have to "time-share", apart from regular get-togethers! No way to live on the island, I think: bird sanctuary, no mention of fresh water, so you'd need to live lochside, but all the same ... sigh

36 acres is 15,681.6 square feet.- my calculator comes up with about twenty figures when dividing either by 350,000, so i've no idea how much a footprint would cost!

20 Jun, 2012

 

Hi Sticki, I'm new to this site, just read your blog, absolutely awsome. Your photos are amazing and your writing is so descriptive.....your love of the island is so plain to see. I like the touch of humour here and there too. Wonderful.

20 Jun, 2012

 

oh hello jane, lovely to meet you and welcome to GoY ~have you ever been to the Western Isles?

20 Jun, 2012

 

Hey Sticki - one of my sons owns a square foot of land at one of the distilleries! His "rent" is a dram whenever he visits, and if he wants to visit his plot, they promise to lend him a pair of wellies!

20 Jun, 2012

 

thats brilliant melchi!!!! do you know which one it is?? i have visited 3 in total [ i think??]

20 Jun, 2012

 

I wish I could remember - he used to get mailshots from them, but he's moved away now (not too far!). Probably one of the Islay ones. Or perhaps not.. Yes - it is Laphroaig!! A great whisky! (in my humble opinion!)

20 Jun, 2012

 

i guessed Islay ~ was there last year, sorry not my favourite whisky but its in a lovely setting!!!

20 Jun, 2012

 

It's an acquired taste! (Need I say more....?)

20 Jun, 2012

 

oh i dont mind practising to acquire!!! but there are lots to practise with!!!! i also love drambuie!!!

20 Jun, 2012

 

Orkney is a fascinating place to visit . . . so much history, and it is wild and empty and so windy there are hardly any trees!

20 Jun, 2012

 

oh, like Harris, virtually no trees there!!

did you fly to Orkney Sheila? and how long did you stay there?

20 Jun, 2012

 

All of the northern and western isles are just magical. We have visited several and there is always something different to enjoy.
Loved the Harris blog, Sticki.

20 Jun, 2012

 

oh, thanks bulbaholic, do you have a favourite? I have been to Lewis, Skye, Harris, Islay, Arran [briefly] Mull, Iona but still hoping to go to the Uists etc.

20 Jun, 2012

 

You obviously have great attraction for the Western Isles, Sticki, and have actually visited ones that I haven't (not been to Arran yet!). Could I suggest a slight change and mention Orkney with its wealth of views, history and nature? You would probably train/fly to Inveness then fly/car hire. By car I would suggest the Scrabster ferry one way and the Gills Bay ferry the other; two wonderful sea trips to give added-value to the visit.

20 Jun, 2012

 

Yes Sticki - we flew to Edinburgh, then on to Kirkwall and stayed in the "upturned boat" for a week (water lapping at the end of the garden!). Great for birdlife, and there was a good bookshop in Stromness with masses of info on the famous local poet, George Mackay Brown. Wonderful well-kept historical sites too, like the Broch of Gurness.

20 Jun, 2012

 

And while we are in Fortwillam to do Ben Nevis .

Where else can we visit Balba.

A great chance to see some more beauty.

20 Jun, 2012

 

My dad loved those places Bulba [he was up there in the war] and he took me to Lewis when i was 18, i have loved them ever since, im not sure how a place can mean quite as much as it does.

Orkney sounds very attractive, i would most certainly like to visit there, didnt we have a GoY member 'Islander' but he/she doesnt seem to be on here any more. If i can save up enough I would really like to go by train and then be brave for the ferry!!!!

That sounds really fabulous sheila, love the boat idea, you have certainly been to some wonderful places.

20 Jun, 2012

 

Bulba will know much better than me scotkat but if you have time i would visit Glen Etive and Glen Coe [next to each other]
The 'Jacobite' train runs from Fort William to Mallaig and is said to be the most beautiful train journey in the world.

Skye is beautiful and not too far from FW;

It depends how much time you have ~ take a boat from Mallaig and go to Knoydart ~ amazing!!! or to Arisaig and go to the isles of Muck, or Eigg or Rhum. Muck is fabulous!!!

20 Jun, 2012

 

Thankyou we certainly shall be doing the train we spoke about this .

But we are only up for the week.

And hubby has his new camera to use to.

So more photos.

20 Jun, 2012

 

have fun scotkat!!!

20 Jun, 2012

 

We will St will let you know where we will decide to go.

Going in Mid July.

20 Jun, 2012

 

yes please and please take lots of pictures
[as a precaution ~ take some Avon 'skin so soft' ~ the midges dont like it!!!]

20 Jun, 2012

 

We no about the midgies been bitten before.

Thanks St I dont get Avon though.

20 Jun, 2012

 

Daughter and son-in-law's ex-flatmate lives and works on Orkney (something to do with developing the use of wave power) and they have had a couple of visits up there. They say it is a wonderful and fascinating place with a great many interesting places. I would love to visit any of the islands - the Black Isle is the closest I have got so far!

Tha army uses Avon SSS dry oil spray, apparently! Has to be the green one, though!

20 Jun, 2012

 

I have seen the Black Isle ~ we have friends in Inverness but i havent visited it ~ there are dolphins near there arent there?

one of these days when i have more time i will go exploring, maybe one of those camper van things would be best ~ ideal for one i think!!!! but i would quite like to do B and B cos i think you would meet more of the people and learn a lot more.

20 Jun, 2012

 

Scotkat, eat marmite on toast now & until you go away, apparently midges & mossies dont like the taste on your skin!
Sticki, we did the train ride, FW to Mallaig it poured with rain all day and was so misty, we couldnt see a thing!! Lol

20 Jun, 2012

 

Yes - the biggest bottlenose dolphins in the world, apparently - they need a lot of body fat for heat because they are the furthest north. There's a great boat trip from Cromarty in a rigid inflatable boat - very exciting, especially if it's a bit choppy! The sighting rate is quite good. There's also an excellent pub in Fortrose with a super restaurant.

(Sticki - I wouldn't want you to get the idea that drinking is my next favourite hobby after gardening)

20 Jun, 2012

 

oooh i didnt know about the marmite, i love that!!

oh what a shame GM, my son and daughter in law did it too and i dont think the weather was that good for them either, its such a shame and it isnt cheap. i havent been on it.

Thank you everyone for all these islands and good places to visit ~ im loving it!!!

20 Jun, 2012

 

oh no melchi i didnt have that idea at all but whatever it is that makes your garden grow so well is certainly working, be it drink or environment or just you being happy!!!

i do like to hear of good pub restaurants ~ now that is something very close to my heart!!!

20 Jun, 2012

 

Lol!!! Only joking -hic- :-)

20 Jun, 2012

 

;-)))

20 Jun, 2012

 

The dolphins can be seen off Chanonry Point at Fortrose, just a twent minute walk from Melchi's pub/restraunt. You don't need a boat here as the doplhins are just a few yards from the shingle beach.

20 Jun, 2012

 

wow!!! now when can i get enough time off to go and see all these wonderful sights!!!

there are some lovely places arent there ~if only you know about them!!

dolphins and a restaurant!!! fabulous!

20 Jun, 2012

 

Oh yes, Bulba! Chanonry Point is excellent. If you get there when the tide is right, you can often see the dolphins (but the boat is very exciting!!!) There's a holiday cottage for rent right by the beach, but it's usually fully booked, understandably!

20 Jun, 2012

 

What an interesting place, not been that far up, thanks for showing all these lovely photos really enjoyed looking at them.

21 Jun, 2012

 

Is that a holiday cottage, Md, I always felt so sorry for the people who live there, it being so busy.

21 Jun, 2012

 

Yes, it's for rent . It looks quite nice from the website (it's called Chanonry Cottage, if you're interested). Our whole family always converges up there, so it isn't big enough for us. Fabulous position. Perhaps not for all year round, though!

21 Jun, 2012

 

thanks clarice, it is interesting, one of these days i should read more about it

Bulba and Melchi ~ are there any more places you could recommend?

21 Jun, 2012

 

I have been to Harris on three occasions and each time I left I found myself sobbing on the Ferry. I decided that my great grandmother Clara must have been in the clearances. She was a babe in arms on a ship to the US in the late 18'00s and ended up in Oklahoma where she married my great grandfather. I then returned to live in the UK through several twists of fate...and then went to Harris on a whim in my 30's. My great grandmother died when I was 11....I wish I'd asked her where her family came from. I feel linked to it and believe it to be the most beautiful place I have ever been. I have travelled all over the world and still believe it to beautiful beyond ones wildest dreams. The only other place that almost compares is The Rockies in Colarado.

21 Jun, 2012

 

Oh Sticki - don't get me started! Do have a browse on some of the self-catering websites and suss out the areas on Google Streetview. You can fantasise for hours! Cromarty is currently my favourite destination. I'm one of those stick-in-the-muds who likes to visit the same place (we go about every two years) getting to know the area better and better. And, for us, a really good holiday cottage is hard to beat.

21 Jun, 2012

 

Oh Laura thank you for sharing that, how incredible! I dont think anyone in my family ever lived there but i share the same feelings for it as you do.

21 Jun, 2012

 

I know exactly what you mean Melchi, trouble is OH seems to prefer somewhere new to explore ~ thats why i want to go back on my own!!!

21 Jun, 2012

 

Well - there's something to be said for that. After all, you have to try somewhere before it can become a favourite!

21 Jun, 2012

 

Thank you for such a lovely blog...really enjoyed the pictures. I love Scotland, such a beautiful place. :-)

21 Jun, 2012

 

yes thats true but i would keep going back and explore every corner ~ well nearly!!!

Thanks Red, glad you liked it, i love scotland too!

21 Jun, 2012

 

What a wonderful blog, Stickie and to look at it on such a dreary day has cheered me up no end. This has gone straight into my favourites. I love your blogs, not only are the photos fantastic, you are so informative with them as well. I think you are one of the cleverest members on here and you are always quick with your little quips. Thankyou for sharing this with us. Where are you going next!

21 Jun, 2012

 

Know what you mean. I'm afraid I'm just getting comfortably settled into the routine now! I do try to move out of the comfort zone occasionally in other respects though - it keeps you young! (I hope!!!)

21 Jun, 2012

 

Rose you are very much too kind but thank you; i am not so clever, there are plenty on here much quicker and funnier than me ~ i love looking at their blogs and wish i could write like they can. where next?? not sure, im not very good at planning ~ prefer to do something when the mood takes me but if its a nice place i will let you know!!!

im not very good at moving out of the comfort zone melchi ~ never have been ~ obviously i wont be able to stay young much longer!!!!!!!!!!!

21 Jun, 2012

 

Fabulous pictures of beautiful Scotland and what a treat to read this fabulous blog. Sounds like a perfect holiday!

Reminded me of many places I've been to. We twice rented a cottage for a week near Eileen Donan castle, just down the lane to the right of your boat picture - imagine that view every morning. Also walked a great deal in Glen Etive - easy to get to yet very remote. I spent two weeks in the 1970s camping at Luskentyre Bay and exploring Lewis/Harris. Absolutely brilliant place and I see the contrast between the white sands and turquoise sea is still just as stunning.

I too have been impressed by the gardens on the west coast - both private and public. Visited Inverewe twice, which is well worth the trip. I guess the Gulf Stream helps a lot with winter warmth, but also the long summer days bring out the best in the plants.

So, where to next?

21 Jun, 2012

 

How amazing Trev, that you have been to all those brilliant places, thanks for telling me ~ i absolutely agree about Glen Etive, i have seen photos but never realised quite how accessible it is!! you lucky thing ~ two weeks at luskentyre!!

interestingly the last family that rented the house we were in also came from worcestershire ~ in fact i think malvern!!!

if it was up to me it might be Coll and Tiree ~ but have to not think about the ferry!!!

21 Jun, 2012

 

I don't think you realise how good your blogs are Stickie. My next trip will not be until we go to Libets in Ireland.

21 Jun, 2012

 

and that will be just fabulous rose!!!! i dont need to wish you a wonderful time because i know you will!!!

21 Jun, 2012

 

Sticki - I think you will stay young just as long as you wants to! (And I don't move too far out!)

21 Jun, 2012

 

I dont like the thought of getting old but doesnt seem much choice!!!

21 Jun, 2012

 

Sadly, no... But we can go on feeling young inside (if we ignore certain things, which I won't list because it's too depressing!)

21 Jun, 2012

 

I think that is the answer melchi, ignore some things and concentrate on the good?!

21 Jun, 2012

 

Always, Sticki - always :-)))

21 Jun, 2012

 

:-)

21 Jun, 2012

 

lol Sticki, there is an alternative to getting old, but it's not one most of us would choose! I suppose it's like certain other things, it's not the size that matters, it's what you do with it

21 Jun, 2012

 

yes, true, what you do with it and how you look at it!

22 Jun, 2012

 

looks absolutely beautiful Sticki, lovely blog i love that jade water colour... your right my girls would love it there,,,

22 Jun, 2012

 

oh thank you surreylad, i love that jade colour too!! i dont think there are many better beaches than these but i will admit they arent the warmest!!

22 Jun, 2012

 

that would suit me :-)

22 Jun, 2012

 

so long as the sun is out sometimes to make the water glitter!!

22 Jun, 2012

 

Wonderful blog Sticki, it looks absolutely stunning there and you take great photos! I'm saving to my faves for times when I need another virtual holiday ;)

22 Jun, 2012

 

thank you Gem, now that is a good idea ~ a virtual holiday, think i might manage one of those too!!!

it is an incredible island!

i find this a very interesting web site ~ few nice memories for me too!!

http://www.virtualheb.co.uk/machair-wildflowers-western-isles.html

22 Jun, 2012

 

Such peace---I feel as though I've been on holiday. Thank you for putting all those pics on, they are wonderful.

22 Jun, 2012

 

you are right steragram, it is incredibly peaceful; so silent! thank you, wish you could all see it!

22 Jun, 2012

 

Just had a quick look at that website Sticki, now I can spend an even longer virtual holiday there :o)) I really had no idea it was so beautiful, and the seals are very cute too, did you see any or is it the wrong time of year?

22 Jun, 2012

 

great web site isnt it ~ so much on it, i often look at it.

oh yes it is really amazing that island, its partly why i did this blog because i dont think people do know what its like.

i went to Lewis a lot of years ago and loved it then but what sparked me off again was a photo of luskentyre from the air and thats why we went back there to find the amazing sight!!

yes sorry we did see seals, really quite near to the shore but my photo wasnt great.

22 Jun, 2012

 

Maybe I'll have to go there myself to see them then... and everything else!! Not possible at the moment but one day, and for now I can have my virtual holiday there ;o) Thanks for sharing it.

22 Jun, 2012

 

ah the memories came flooding back, what an enchancing place harris is, had a wonderful holiday there last feburay, weather was so kind to us too and the bit i loved most apart from being with the guy i adour everytime you turned a corner i got that woow factor.

22 Jun, 2012

 

that sounds just perfect watchitgrow! absolutely right ~ a wow round every corner!!!

never been in february, would love to though; where did you stay?

22 Jun, 2012

 

Fabulous blog. Superb pictures. Wonderful places.

Thankyou for sharing.

22 Jun, 2012

 

Thank you anchorman, it is certainly wonderful there, I wish I was back there now! Have you been there?

22 Jun, 2012

 

Great blog - who needs to go abroad for a holiday when you've got all this!!!.

23 Jun, 2012

 

Thanks annelise, that's true and I don't like flying! If this was warmer it would truly be perfect.

23 Jun, 2012

 

But then it would be so crowded - a bit like the beaches in Northumberland. They are so lovely because they are usually deserted (and very cool!!)

23 Jun, 2012

 

yes that thought was at the back of my mind and it is the emptiness that i love.

i also love northumberland!

23 Jun, 2012

 

Yes - Northumberland and emptiness is a pretty unbeatable combination!

23 Jun, 2012

 

No. I've never been Sticki, but it looks fabulous. Some of the shots look more like the Carribean

23 Jun, 2012

 

it is fabulous and it does have carribean colours [no palm trees though, in fact virtually no trees] the only difference is the temperature!!

23 Jun, 2012

 

especially in winter! but at least it's unlikey that Harris gets many hurricanes

23 Jun, 2012

 

Just saw your blog Sticki, wonderful photos,takes your breath away. Maybe the Scottish Tourist Board should employ you on a part time basis!!! as to getting old
youu are a young as you think you are!!

23 Jun, 2012

 

not sure fran, wind is a big problem for them! there are no trees because the wind is too strong

thanks Jcee, you are kind, that would certainly be a lovely job!!!

23 Jun, 2012

 

Just picked up your Blog on Harris. I have a very dear friend and her husband who moved to live on Harris acouple of years ago. They are both Scottish and now own/run the cafe and art gallery on Harris, living above the 'shop'. (they also have a cottage they let out on Lewis).
I miss them dreadfully and she has always told me how beautiful Harris is, your pictures proved her right. It brought a lump to my throat as I looked at the wonderful scenes, thinking they maybe seeing them too.
Thank you so much for a wonderful Blog and photos and helping to bring my friends a little closer. :)

24 Jun, 2012

 

I agree Waddy, I have never been there but due to this blog I now definately want to go and its on my list. Every so often a blog comes along which has true meaning and beauty. I have to say it but this kind of blog makes some others look a bit like contrived tosh.
The purpose of a blog is to record or to tell a story, either to get under the skin of whats going on, so the reader gets a real feeling of whats happening around you and its significance, part of your life if you will and/or to tell a story, the story. If its a journey it makes the reader feel as if he or she is there with you experiencing it, walking alongside you, enjoying it with you.
With this you can almost smell the fresh air on the beach, and thats great.
And of course its a real compliment to those of us who often take the 'time' and 'effort' to construct and compose something with sometimes alot of pictures and text and feeling. Its almost as if the site wasn't made for that because it cant appreciate it the way it should be. Consequently I think that needs to be appreciated properly.

Definitely blog of the month for me (although Hywels are really great blogs to) well done again Sticki, there nothing this month that even comes close to the effort you made here.
Thank you for taking us with you to Harris x

24 Jun, 2012

 

Oh seem to have written alot there with my morning cup of tea, mornin folks

24 Jun, 2012

 

Hear, hear Stevie, or could I get a slurp in there too!

24 Jun, 2012

 

wow what else is needed thankyou it was lovely xx

24 Jun, 2012

 

What else indeed jewells, what else indeed!!

24 Jun, 2012

 

Waddy how incredible ~ friends running one of the cafes?? you must go and visit if you possibly can; since we went to Harris 4 years ago at least 2 new cafes have appeared; both of which i went to and enjoyed ~ im wondering which was your friends? the Hebridean Art Cafe near Luskentyre ~ its lovely!!! some beautiful pictures and cakes!! and wonderful site.

oh!!!! Stevie!!! have you ever thought of being an MP cos i would definitely vote for you!!! what can i say ~ but thank you. I wanted you all to see how very beautiful Harris is, and how it makes me feel,
Stevie thanks for understanding. And thank you everyone else too.

Thank you Lulu and Jewells

I hope your tea didnt go cold Stevie

24 Jun, 2012

 

Yes Sticki, it is the one in Luskentyre! Lesley paints on silks whilst her husband paint some wonderful scenery and also black/white pen and ink drawings.
I'd love to go to see them ,but the OH refuses to drive so far, so it's pretty doubtful if we'll see each other again.:(
Jcee is right, you should send this Blog to the Harris tourist board, it's truely wonderful.

24 Jun, 2012

 

I can see the cafe now, they have binoculars for the customers to use to look out on the landscape which i think is a really lovely idea.
the items they had for sale were lovely and beautifully displayed.

it is a long way, admittedly, we had planned to go up slowly via lake district, loch lomond, skye etc. but OH changed his job and we had much less time for the travelling. the other option is flying ~ you could fly from glasgow and land at stornoway (lovely little airport) then its about an hour or just over down to the cafe. thats how we got there 4 years ago.

24 Jun, 2012

 

''ever thought of being an MP''!! absolutely not Sticki sorry but I am just not corrupt and would insist on honesty, accountability and transparency! Obviously I couldn't condone a corrupted non democratic system.
Thanks for voting for me though ; )

24 Jun, 2012

 

scrap all the others you are the sort we need!!!

24 Jun, 2012

 

Oh Stick it's been a long journey to get my piece of box here, to say something to this blog.
The views are really, really heavenly and I read each line so loud because I think of it as poem.
Can I print some these pictures Stick?
Lovely...

25 Jun, 2012

 

Payag you say such lovely things, thank you!! That is such a lovely comment!

Of course you can print some pictures, no problem at all!!

25 Jun, 2012

 

Still like to look at this every so often : ) Its like going on a mini holiday for 10 mins : )

6 Sep, 2012

 

oh what a lovely thought stevie, thank you!!!

i still dream about it! read about it, listen to music from it, look at pictures from there.....to keep me going till i can go back again

6 Sep, 2012

 

Having seen those beaches i definately want to go up there, sadly I dont think it can be this year, haven't got the funds, maybe next year

6 Sep, 2012

 

best time is may-june [best weather and before the midges]

you get mile long beaches to yourself!!!!

have you ever seen a photo of luskentyre from the air?

http://www.massoss.com/Richard-Cooke/other-galleries.php?name=Luskentyre,%20Outer%20Hebrides

my photos dont do those beaches justice, you should really go if you possibly can.

I just put on this music:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbM2BarUOfY&feature=related

and Im back, in those moorlands, in the shadow of the mountains, by the golden sands and that incredible blue sea.

6 Sep, 2012

 

We are off to Lewis and Harris on Wednesday for a few days. Staying just outside Stornaway.

6 Sep, 2012

 

oh bulbaholic you lucky thing i SO wish i was going!

Im reading: 'Seasons on Harris' by David Yeadon, its very interesting.

6 Sep, 2012

 

sighs deeply, just had another stroll round the island, been too long since the last time, still blown away by the beauty of it.

you probably took hundreds more pics, Sticki - lol, put them on a DVD with some music and I'd buy it! - that's the closest most of us are going to be able to get to the real thing.

6 Sep, 2012

 

oh, fran thats a lovely idea!!! thank you!!!

i dont think there is a day goes by that i dont think of some aspect of it. and it has so many beautiful aspects!

6 Sep, 2012

 

im hoping you will do a blog with lots of photos please bulbaholic!

6 Sep, 2012

 

I'll think about it, Sticki ;-))))

7 Sep, 2012

 

PLEASE? i need my hebridean fix!!!!

7 Sep, 2012

 

I think this may be the most beautiful blog of them all. Pure magic.

7 Sep, 2012

 

oh, steragram, thank you!!! [it is my favourite place ~ Harris ~ not the blog!!!!] it is a magic place, definitely!

just thinking which island would i like to go to next year? maybe the Uists?

7 Sep, 2012

 

Looks absolutely lovely Sticki!

How long do the ferries take?

4 Oct, 2012

 

thanks meanie, it is really lovely! [not always blue sky of course!]

there are a number of options ~ this time we went on the ferry from Skye, which took about an hour and a half? you can take a much longer trip from oban or you can fly into stornoway, which is on Lewis

4 Oct, 2012

 

Still the best blog on Goy : )

4 Oct, 2012

 

its certainly my favourite place! thanks stevie! btw your comment was number 200!!

4 Oct, 2012

 

horrayyy : )

4 Oct, 2012

 

:-)))

4 Oct, 2012

 

Ullapool to Stornoway is two and a half hours.

4 Oct, 2012

 

ah, thanks bulbaholic ~ i forgot that one; can be quite rough cant it across the Minch??

4 Oct, 2012

 

Ten minutes on a ferry is ten minutes too long for me!

4 Oct, 2012

 

you can nearly get between mull and iona in that time, if not ~ you are ok with flying arent you ~ if you land on one of the islands south of harris eg barra or benbecula you will land on the beach!! we did fly-drive four years ago and it seemed to work well.

4 Oct, 2012

 

T'would have to be fly-drive for me................

Threw my guts up on a large paddle steamer on a lake in New Zealand!

4 Oct, 2012

 

fly drive is good ~ too much detail from the paddle steamer!!!! ;-)

4 Oct, 2012

 

how about those bands you put round your wrists ~ do they work?

4 Oct, 2012

 

Flying works!!!!

4 Oct, 2012

 

fly to glasgow or edinburgh or inverness then get the small plane to whichever island you choose!
i liked the stornoway airport, nice and small! drive across lewis to get to harris ~ maybe 40 mins ~ then add a bit of time for photos!!!

when we stayed four years ago it was in a replica 'blackhouse' and had a hot tub over looking the atlantic and the sunsets!!

4 Oct, 2012

 

We could drive up and then make her take the ferry whilst I fly over!!!!

4 Oct, 2012

 

be warned ~ its a long drive!!

no ferry necessary for Skye now ~ there is a bridge!!

wonder what sue will have to say about your suggestion!

when we flew from glasgow there was a whisky festival on ~ free drinks!!!

4 Oct, 2012

 

Answering your question of quite a while ago now stickitoffee.....no I havent unfortunately. Went to Edinburgh when I was a nipper, you know sat on the canons in the castle, went to Hadrians Wall. I would love to go on walking holidays but my OH has other ideas!!
Oh well, I'll just have to look at your pics and dream!!

8 Oct, 2012

 

i do the same Jane! look at the photos and dream! i would just love to be there!

i find what books and blogs i can about the islands to keep the dream! I recently found a blog from Islay, an island I went to last year:

http://justintyers.co.uk/blog/

8 Oct, 2012

 

She said naff off Sticki!

8 Oct, 2012

 

were you surprised?!

8 Oct, 2012

 

Wowwwwwwww what beauty! Thank you thank you thank you for your beautiful blog. Such colours! Such vistas! Oh my I have to put Harris on my bucket list. It's right up my ally! How does one get there tho?
I'm thinking when I go home to Ireland next yr. that Harris would be a special place to visit if possible.
As far your blog being too long! If it was twice as long with pictures like that I wouldn't mind.

24 Oct, 2012

 

Thanks Angie, as you can probably tell I love the place, I'm sure you can get there from Ireland by boat or plane, you can fly from glasgow, Inverness or Edinburgh, land at stornoway airport and drive down to Harris, which takes less than an hour I think? Or you can sail from Uig, Skye into Tarbert.

The other option which I would like to do one day is to go to Barra and then drive up through the Hebrides, (there are ferries and bridges!)

Looking at the map it seems quite a distance from the Irish coast, so maybe flying is the best option? I hope you get there!

24 Oct, 2012

 

You eally need your own transport on Harris and Lewis. From Ireland I would suggest the ferry to Loch Ryan, south of Glasgow, and then driving up to Skye or Ullapool.

24 Oct, 2012

 

thanks bulbaholic, i didnt know the details from ireland, i agree about the transport if you want to see round the island ~ we hired a car ~ there are one or two firms that do that up there. the first car we got had a problem so they brought us a nice car which had higher seats ~ lovely to see the views from!!!

24 Oct, 2012

 

Oh my oh my, what a wonderful blog Sticki. I have never been to Harris or Lewis and now I want to! But I have been to Skye a few times, to Barra and Eriskay, which is a little gem set in a silver setting that is its white coral beaches, sitting in a turquoise and jade sea, a miniature Harris by the looks of these beautiful photos.

The last time I managed to go was with a friend who shared the costs of the self catering holiday we did in Skye in 2000. Since then I am always surfing the estate agents' pages for the Islands property section to see when there may be a place for sale that I could afford on Coll, or Eriskay - I have never been to Coll, but I fell in love with the photos of it on their website, but now I see that Harris, a much larger island, looks so very similar to Coll and Eriskay. I fell in love with the Hebrides way back in the late 80's when my then partner used to take us on Highland holidays and we stayed on a private estate with its own loch (Loch Laggan) which has silvery sands also, and one of my ex's employees and a friend of ours told us all about the islands. Well, we made it to Skye sailing from Mallaig and we did also get to go on the train too one other day, which was absolutely wonderful - the old steam train going over the viaduct there was out of this world and you must go on the train if you get a chance. It was overcast that day but not raining or foggy so we did get to see the sights. We used to drive up from Essex every year to holiday at Loch Laggan, and have days out in Fort William and visiting Skye with the kids driving along the Fort William to Mallaig Road. Going right past the feet of Ben Nevis; what breathtaking scenery and one of the most beautiful places on earth going along that coastal bit of the route and following the steam train in places as it ran alongside the main road, all the cars driving fast to keep up alongside of it and passengers waving to us from the windows. Fantastic!

Later, after we went our separate ways and I was left bringing up our son, Christian having read Mari Hedderwick's books, I yearned to go back. I scrimped and saved until one day in May that year ('95), and in my little metro car, Christian then 17 and I managed to have a fortnight up there during which I kept a pictorial diary, sketching and painting as we went. The first week we spent on the outer Hebrides and the second week on Skye. We B & B's on the Uists and Barra, almost ran out of money and I had to 'phone home to my dad to ask for a pay-day loan on Barra to get us back to Skye. It was a long journey to Barra from Oban and we sailed at half-speed due to there being a funeral corsage on board and out of a mark of respect the ship did not dock on Barra until well after midnight. (By the way, Vattersay off the causway on Barra has a silvery long strand beach that is wonderful and was deserted when we went. There was a house for sale there too recently, but was out of my price range lol.)

We based ourselves near Floddigary and Duntulm on Skye, staying at the backpackers youth hostel for a couple of nights, near Floda MacDonald's cottage, which was comfortable-basic, clean and very reasonable, then moved to a cabin we rented self-catering in the grounds of an hotel near Duntulm. We searched for a place we could move to up there and for something within our budget to no avail.

We managed to get to Barra, Eriskay and the Uists that first week, which I thought on the road there in the Uists that they were rather flat, dull and barren areas of land, but to be fair we never got to see the beaches there and time was against us, but that was just my impression.

On Barra we used to drive to the airport nestled on the edge of the machair and watch the plane land on the beach! The airport being a single storey affair with a very small reception room and a little desk! However, the picture window had us all lined up in the warm snapping away with our cameras as the plane came in to land and the fire engine based next door dashed out to taxi it in right up to the window almost, where the passengers disembarked! That was back in 1995.

I drove all the way there and all the way back again - did just over 2,000 miles in that fortnight and it just wasn't enough time to do all we wanted to do, and it broke my heart to leave it - my 'soul place' - :^( - so if anyone is looking for another person to go with them anywhere up that way, please let me know - I will volunteer to go with them! ;^))

26 Oct, 2012

 

Wow Dixie, you clearly love the Hebrides like I do, how fascinating to read all about your journey and holiday, thank you.

I have been to Skye Via mallaig (the misty isle) it is lovely but we didn't have time to go on the train. maybe next time?

I have read many of Mairi hedderwicks books including the one where she sketches pictures. Do you have your pictures still? Would you be able to put your sketches on here? I would love to see them!

Well done you for all that driving, it is a long way.

27 Oct, 2012

 

A beautiful blog....just the antidote to the dull dreary weather we are having right now. This place is high on my wish list to visit Sticki and what a beautiful picture you paint of it.Stunning photos...enjoyed each and every one...many thanks..:)

24 Dec, 2012

 

oh, thank YOU BB, i have to confess i cant help smiling when i see pictures of Harris! its very special to me, so its lovely to be reminded of it again today!

you must visit BB, if you get a chance, it is so very beautiful.

24 Dec, 2012

 

Definitely Sticki....and you shall be the first to know !! Looking back at all the comments and likes I have to agree with Stevie...probably the best ever blog to grace the pages of GoY.It has stirred the emotions of so many....beautiful...:)

24 Dec, 2012

 

I will really look forward to seeing your pictures ~ please BB, some of it cant really be captured, you just have to be there! there is a feeling about it [well there is to me]
you and stevie are too kind!

24 Dec, 2012

 

Well I bet it is simply magical in winter too Sticki.....and yes I know exactly what you mean...the camera cannot capture everything !.....Take care and have a lovely Christmas...:)

24 Dec, 2012

 

you too Bonkers!!! have a great new year too

i think sometimes its quite tough up there, daylight hours are short at this time of year ~ but now we start having longer days!!

24 Dec, 2012

 

Still the best : )

24 Dec, 2012

 

the best part of the UK i think ~ thank you stevie!

24 Dec, 2012

 

just noticed how many comments you have - are we getting close to a GoY record??

25 Dec, 2012

 

No Fran! We had one going that we had to go onto a part two cos over 1,000 comments took too long to load!

25 Dec, 2012

 

Ooh, 'eck! not surprised

25 Dec, 2012

 

I think we had 1,500 on one of them!

25 Dec, 2012

 

Sticki - these are some beeeeautiful photos!! I shall look at them more than once, that's for sure.

The colours are gorgeous, the beaches are to die for and probably the shortbreads are to die for aswell!!
I wish I could have visited there (I would have if I had realised how beautiful it is!) but there is not much likelyhood of that now, we don't travel much these days, so I think I will just have to look at your photos over & over!!!

Thank you so much for suggesting I look at your blog.

Wonderful.
xx

5 Jan, 2013

 

you are welcome shirl, I thought if you liked blue it might appeal to you!

I would love to be there all the time but instead i look at photos and websites etc!

i still dream of going there for an extended time ~ maybe on the train, not sure i could drive that far!

5 Jan, 2013

 

How did you gwet there before Sticki?

6 Jan, 2013

 

In June last year we drove up there! It takes 5 hours to Glasgow from here, stayed the night in a premier inn type place then off early in the morning, over the Skye bridge, little time on Skye, stayed in Uig for the night to catch the early ferry from Uig to Tarbert, Harris then 30 - 40 minute drive to those western blissful beaches ~ if you don't stop at a cafe on the way!

But 4 years ago we flew to Glasgow, then got on a smaller [but ok] plane to Stornoway where we picked up a hire car and drove down to Harris, takes about an hour I think ~ Stornoway to Scarista area??

6 Jan, 2013

 

Some journey when you drive up!!! Would have done it in the 'old days' but not now.
The flying journey sounds better.

7 Jan, 2013

 

Relatively easy to fly there Shirl, you can fly from Birmingham if that's your nearest? You only have to change to the smaller plane for the islands, Stornoway airport is lovely ~ small, quiet and friendly, nicely decorated too.
Whichever way you get there it is worth it! I have just found two more blogs from the Hebrides.....people who escaped from mainland UK!!!

how about these to make you feel hungry!

http://foodandforagehebrides.wordpress.com/recipes/recipe-index/

7 Jan, 2013

 

Just had to come for a fix of beauty again before we go there at the weekend St.

9 Aug, 2016

 

How did I miss this? Its the most beautiful moving blog I've ever seen.

9 Aug, 2016

 

This was enchanting 4 years ago, hope you have a wonderful time Kath

It was a different Goy then, comments in the hundreds and good friends made forever xxx

10 Aug, 2016

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