Friday 20 July 2012

Scottish Islands Part Deux

 This sight greeted us at a petrol station that we stopped at in Tyndrum on our way up to Oban, our crossing point to the Isle of Mull. 


Our coachdriver stopped so DH could photograph this mirror-like reflection.  A few minutes later and the surface was ruffled by the wind.

 This is McCaig's Tower in Oban, a folly that was built to give the local unemployed some work.


Who could resist this sweet little spaniel waiting patiently at an upstairs window for his master/mistress to come home?


You are probably wondering, as was I, what these people were doing with a tent on a layby.  Sadly I din't find out but I did realise that they probably had their hoods up to deter the midges as it wasn't raining.

I always like a good reflection and this one was at the ferry in Oban.


If you click on the image above you should see the remains of crabs thrown back into the water at Fionnport, the ferry point for crossing to Iona.


 I would have loved a walk on this beach at Fionnport.


Above is the rare landscape of the Machair . We must have arrived at just the right time as the flowers were beautiful.  We were lucky enough to hear a corncrake too as we walked along, a rare sound indeed! (If you follow the link for the corncrake you can click on a button to listen to its distinctive cry).



These photos show the Abbey and its attendant graveyard where ancient Kings of Scotland, Ireland and Norway are buried.  We only had time to grab a snap as we hurried back to catch the ferry.  Another reason to return.




What a beautiful place to be remembered.


The children of Iona had been busy decorating their cycle shelter.

And finally for this post, a few texture images for you.  



The fungi on the tree in the image above reminded me exactly where the inspiration for the windchime I had bought earlier in Cockermouth had come from.





Till next time.......

15 comments:

ju-north said...

Lovely photos Julie! Makes you want to go back doesn't it! Have you traced your Scottish ancestors?

Heather said...

Wonderful photos Julie. I feel as if I have been on holiday myself. Iona is certainly a most beautiful place to visit.

Gill said...

I would love to visit the Scottish islands! and you heard a corncrake too! we used to hear them regularly on our trips to Ireland but sadly they don't seem to have been around the last few years

Maggi said...

What wonderful photos Julie. It looks like you had fabulous weather too.

sharon young said...

Fabulous post, Julie, you've done a great job for the Scottish tourist board, I shall bookmark your posts for when we eventually get there.

Peneller said...

Lovely photos Julie. Hope you're enjoying your cruise. Can't wait to see more photos of that!!

DIAN said...

fabulous photos. Thanks for sharing them.

Lis Harwood said...

So gorgeous. Your pictures reminded me of a trip we had to Oban but we didn't get to any of the islands as DH doesn't do water willingly! He enjoyed the distillery though and we had a great meal in No 1 The Pier, opposite those ferries, a seafood restaurant. I wonder whether it's still there? Thanks for sharing your trip.

Sandra Wyman said...

Great Photographs Julie - can't wait for the next instalment...

Anonymous said...

My neighbor is a farrier so I got a chuckle out of your first pic. I see lots of texture here that I am sure will be showing up in your work! xox

pam said...

Lovely photos - thank you for sharing.

Angela said...

Stunning photos Julie thank you for sharing them with us.

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous photos but I don't envy you the midges! Interesting to see McCaig's Folly as I was listening to a very interesting programme all about it on Radio 4 yesterday!

Linda Vincent said...

I would love to visit Iona....but it was lovely to see your photos Julie.
I am amazed by the photo of the water with the crab bits in; its absolutely fantastic in close up. You did well capturing that.
XX

Adam Li said...

Those are very lovely photos, I like the mirror-like reflection, it looks so beautiful. Thanks for sharing these photos.
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