Highland Thoughts

[Mathos]

I hope that solved the query!



I'm not a goat.

[Mathos]

Take a look at this Castle.



Brilliant:-


We knew we had to take the very dangerous road through to Applecross.




The Applecross Pass, I wasn't of a mind to be driving it through the night.




We wanted to make sure we had a room at The Applecross Inn.



Consequently, we didn't view The Castle, (which would have taken a couple of hours or more) really though, it has to be revisited.



It looked spectacular:-

Note here so I won't forget a fresh trip to the same.







One of those sights that really stops you in your tracks.

This is well worth looking at:-

Welcome to Eilean Donan Castle | Eilean Donan

Official website of this famous Scottish castle. Includes clan history, guided tour and photos.
www.eileandonancastle.com/ - 12k - Cached - Similar pages
How to Find Us
Virtual Tour
Weddings
History
Wallpapers
Opening Hours and Admission Prices
Visitor Information
Bus Tours to Eilean Donan
More results from eileandonancastle.com »

Here we go:-



It was quite a road, once again, we were glad we hadn't used the Mercedes for this trip.



Single track with passing points.

[Mathos]

The Pass itself held some outstanding sights.



Oh yes..

And more wildlife.



This 'Bambi Type' deer appeared to be kicking out at me, I'd got quite close before she realised.




Beginners luck.

Stunning to drive, it would have been a criminal offence
to have driven through here at night missing
the beauty along with the rugged places.




Fantastic to look down on from up on high.





Speaking to folk in town, it was a 'No Go Zone' in wintry conditions.




It was a really nice pub though.

Applecross Inn - Applecross Peninsula
<LI class=g>Information about menus, winelist, and bed and breakfast accommodation.
Applecross Inn - Applecross Peninsula - 14k - Cached - Similar pages


Good reading on the above link.


Superb cottages.



All of them simply a roads width from the sea front.

Absolutely gorgeous.



Applecross is blessed with it's location on the planet.

The pub itself always had this wood burning stove blazing away.



Almost like everything was 'just perfect'

Looks good, doesn't it.


The Applecross Peninsular itself is extremely beautiful.




Some place.

There's a great deal to write up on here as well.

Looking back on these photographs now, simply reminds both myself and Flobo of how really beautiful it was.

[phuketbound]

Wow! That castle is just stunning. The information on the 'goats' is interesting. What dramatic scenery pics! I was wondering where in Scotland you exactly were at this point? Do you have a map for a point of reference for me. I may take this trip again in the future. You have left so many great links as well. Cheers!

[dirtydog]

Are you allowed to hunt the animals?

[Happyman]

I hope that solved the query!



I'm not a goat.

Nice one !

Cheers !

[Mathos]

Wow! That castle is just stunning. The information on the 'goats' is interesting. What dramatic scenery pics! I was wondering where in Scotland you exactly were at this point? Do you have a map for a point of reference for me. I may take this trip again in the future. You have left so many great links as well. Cheers!

Visitor Information > How to Find Us


At the meeting point of three sea lochs on the west coast of Scotland, Eilean Donan is situated by the picturesque village of Dornie on the main tourist route to the Isle of Skye.
From the Castle you can walk to Dornie at the mouth of Loch Long, see the Cuillin of Skye in the distance across Loch Alsh or look to the head of Loch Duich towards the dramatic Five Sisters of Kintail.
Travel a short distance to visit the outstanding brochs of Glenelg built over 1500 years ago, wander through the Lochalsh Woodland Garden at Balmacara, or climb up to the Falls of Glomach.
The Isle of Skye is easy to visit either via the ferry at Glenelg or the bridge at Kyle of Lochalsh (8 miles from the Castle).
Click here to view a detailed map.









The above will no doubt be of assistance to you regarding Eilean Donan Castle.


There is a general Highland area map here, which should assist with any future plans you have for touring the general area.


For instance you can locate Eilean Donan Castle on here just below Plockton!

Then Applecross is situated between Plockton and Shieldaig.




If there are any particular locations you need to locate, the best option is to use Google Maps.

If you need any further assistance let me know, but it's quite straightforward.

The benefits are excellent.

[Mathos]

I hope that solved the query!



I'm not a goat.

Nice one !

Cheers !

Cheers Happyman.

I thought you might just like that.

[Mathos]

Are you allowed to hunt the animals?

They have 'Culling Operations' DD

PDF]
Sporting adventures in Inverness - Scotland

File Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - View as HTML
sika and roe stalking, in addition to this, wild goats are available in the autumn with many good heads within the herds. The cull for the estate at present ...
www.deerstalking4all.com/files/bins/PublicationAA1.pdf - Similar pages





I wouldn't for the life of me imagine you could simply go out there and start plugging away at goats and deer etc.



(Although;- I understand it happens illegally and with seals would you believe)

The professionals take pride in ensuring a clean kill is obtained and would neither permit or take a shot which might result in a wound only. It has to be clean. Alas they go for the heart of the critters so that the heads can be used in 'The Trophy Room'



They class it all as 'FIELD SPORT'


Seems rather sad to me:-


field sports

Shooting - from Grouse to Partridge. White hare to Rabbits. Driven pheasant. Pigeon shooting. Driven duck. Ptarmigan goose & duck flighting - or a mixture! And stalking - choose from Red Stag, Roebuck, Sika, Fallow and even Wild Goat. You can shoot (something) in Scotland 365 days a year.

Check this one out:-

Deer Stalking, Hunting and Shooting in Scotland. Colin & Sarah ...
C & S Farrell offer deer stalking, shooting, hunting & field sport holiday ... Stalking wild goats has become very popular and is available should clients ...
Deer Stalking, Hunting and Shooting in Scotland. Colin & Sarah Farrell Deer Stalking - 13k - Cached - Similar pages

[Happyman]

Just for info

The logo for Cyprus airways is a Graphic of an Asiatic Moufflon !

[Mathos]

Happyman wrote:-

Just for info

The logo for Cyprus airways is a Graphic of an Asiatic Moufflon !

I don't know how you do it..

[Happyman]

Worries me sometimes !!!

[Mathos]

These were interesting, at Sands on The opposite side of the bay from Applecross.


Settlements used by 'early hunting man'



Interesting place it was as well.




I was surprised at how nicely they had gone
to the trouble of portraying the information
on the 'shell-like' backings.



This was especially interesting:-




My eyes were automatically drawn to the rocks
my mind was off on it's wandering again.




So off I went and climbed it.




Flobo had more sense and waited on a rock below with a satisfying smoke.


It wasn't a difficult climb.
It was quite high and gave excellent views.

These sort of folk must have stood on here
throughout the ages.



(An old pic I have and have used before,
but I have no idea who to credit it to.)

I kind of felt like I was part of their existence for a short moment in time.

Back to reality.




What a brilliant place it is.

There are limitations as to how far you can go in this area though.




Isn't it grand.

Meant to add, there has recently been a television programme done on Applecross and Sands area in particular.

Quite good.

I'll put some information on regarding the same in due course.

MONTY HALL'S GREAT ESCAPE.

[Mathos]

We had absolutely brilliant weather in general terms for the time of year.

Enabling us to take some nice walks.



These lanes in particular around Applecross were really rustic to stroll down.



The simple beauty of the countryside was absolutely spectacular.




We started going away from the coast, following the Applecross River inland and of course upwards.



Again, it's extremely difficult to find the right words to celebrate scenes of this nature.




Flobo was enjoying every second of it.



Me too, looking at these is taking me back there right now.



Everything appears to be being taken care of as well.

I like the idea.

Its brilliant.

[Mathos]

We came across some amazing places during our walks.

This tunnel of rhododendron bushes was one:-





How amazingly perfect this tree had fallen.




The river was spectacular, the higher we went up the
mountain-side the more interesting it became.





Plenty of choices as well.



Each path we took meandered to somewhere more interesting or spectacular.



I was pleased to be here in the winter month of March.

You'd see nothing in the summer months I reckon.


I bet it would be a very eerie place to walk through at night.


Ideal for one of those 'Hammer Films of Dracula'




Especially the tunnels:-



Great aren't they.





It was quite a walk.

About an hour and a half to the highest point we made.



Not that we were rushing, it was far too nice to rush.

What a gorgeous view back to the sea and River mouth.


You wouldn't get that in the summer.



When we did return to sea level, the River mouth looked spectacular pouring into the Atlantic Ocean.




The view across the bay to Applecross was good, we were well and truly ready for some food.

[phuketbound]

Thanks for the maps, and I did see that you had posted the map earlier in the thread. Sorry for asking again.

I am amazed at the long history of Scotland, and England. There are so many stories about ghosts in Scotland, and I can see why. The ancestors knew a little bit about working with nature and being guided by it. Fabulous pictorial.

[Mathos]

Thanks for the maps, and I did see that you had posted the map earlier in the thread. Sorry for asking again.

I am amazed at the long history of Scotland, and England. There are so many stories about ghosts in Scotland, and I can see why. The ancestors knew a little bit about working with nature and being guided by it. Fabulous pictorial.

Not a problem 'Young Lady,' ask as often as you need to. It's very easy to overlook certain entries on any thread.

Once again, thanks for the input, it's appreciated.

I like the recent thread you have started regarding Scotland as well.

Keep it up.

Green on the way for you.

[Mathos]

'Applecross House'

Spectacular place.




I recollect having a booklet regarding the history of the same, but have not put my hands on it to date.

I will do though. It deserves a bit of a write up.

There's a link here which is interesting.

Applecross Estate Trust
Applecross Trust Estate Office Applecross House Applecross. Mike also co-ordinates the maintenance programme for all the Estate properties. David Abraham ...
www.applecrosstrust.org.uk/people.html - 10k - Cached - Similar pages


This is another photograph taken from The Applecross Estate, showing the road (top left of the photograph) which runs past Sands and all the way around to Ardheslaigh and Shieldaig, absolutely sensational and rugged country.




It is such an interesting place no matter where you are,
there is always an interesting view,
if not outstanding at times.


You certainly get spoiled for choice with regards to taking photographs.


We stopped the car so many times, it was a wonder we
covered the mileage we did in the days we were away.



This was almost like looking directly upon a vertical rock wall, it was quite an impressive sight.





Woodland Restoration was certainly an important issue.




This was interesting, obviously a great deal of work was being undertaken.

Apparently the sheep and deer, especially the deer, do a great deal of damage to young trees.

[Mathos]

The land can be extremely boggy as well,
we noticed that on several of the walks we undertook.




The bridge across the stream here certainly
appeared to be very old.




The road, I noticed had been secured with
quite a few tons of hard rock and shale,
probably as old as the bridge itself.

No doubt horses dragged heavily laden carts
along this particular route once upon a time.





The road above is the walk back into Applecross from the nearby village of Milltown.




Not a large village by any stretching of the imagination either.

This area is one of the most remote parts of Scotland.

Applecross Peninsula - Wester Ross, Scotland - historical information.
Historical information about the Applecross Peninsula - Wester Ross, ... and tourism are now the main sources of employment for the Applecross population. ...
Applecross Peninsula - Wester Ross, Scotland - historical information. - 8k - Cached - Similar pages

There are several very small villages in the area.

The total population is only about 300.

The nearest decent shopping town was Inverness.
That meant a hell of a drive for a monthly big, big
shop of 175 miles round trip.

Flobo would be having a real 'Mad Un' if she was out of fags!



A really cute place.



Very picturesque and quiet.




The cattle road shown here on my photograph was the only way
into the town until a few years ago.

Excluding sea that is.


The rooms at The Applecross Inn, whilst very small, were extremely cosy,
the views were outstanding.



Flobo was on Porpoise, Whale, and all sorts of sea watch from the window during daylight hours,
if we got back to the Inn before dark that was.



More beautiful scenery.

Great food.



This lunch was from a pub/hotel out in another secluded bay.

Absolutely beautiful meals.

[Mathos]

At Sands, I was thinking back on some of the pointers received from Happyman over the months.





Thought I might be able to read something from the rock layers here.

I couldn't of course.



I could imagine this section which had broken off years ago,
no doubt offering protection from the elements,
perhaps with bits of tree around the front at one
time for the hunters of old.



How everything changes.

Even mighty strong structures of natural rock formations like these.



They must have been 'hardy folk' living out in places like this, thousands of years ago.

No 'hot-water bottles' either.

Flobo still tooting away on her rock.



Reminded me of a Buddhist in deep meditation whilst I was up above.


There were a heck of a lot of breakages.



Weight of snow, and strong winds, I asked myself.


Some sections had withstood the tests of time though.




The structure of the rock is really quite beautiful, but again,
it really needs viewing on full screen to get the full advantages.


I noticed there was fresh running water to hand
for the hunters of old though.




You wouldn't half know about it though if
one of these sections dropped on you.

ouch!



They are colossal.


Another really spectacular view here.



So beautiful.



Mind blowing some of these sights.




Amazing.

[phuketbound]

Amazing scenery and pics, Mathos. Thanks for the green.

I was thinking about the geology of Scotland, and I came about this map of Scotland and what type of rock and from what time in history they came from. It looks like some of these rocks, especially the area you are in are Precambrian. Meaning 4,560 - 542 million years before present.

Check out this fascinating map of Scotland and the breakdown of the Geological period and its origins. If you click on Time scale on the left, it will tell you how old these rocks really are. Fascinating stuff!
Scottish Geology - Geology of Scotland Map
Scottish Geology Website

[TSR2]

Absolutely beautiful meals

What,s that on the right ? Yorky pud? or a Haggis/

[Mathos]

Amazing scenery and pics, Mathos. Thanks for the green.

I was thinking about the geology of Scotland, and I came about this map of Scotland and what type of rock and from what time in history they came from. It looks like some of these rocks, especially the area you are in are Precambrian. Meaning 4,560 - 542 million years before present.

Check out this fascinating map of Scotland and the breakdown of the Geological period and its origins. If you click on Time scale on the left, it will tell you how old these rocks really are. Fascinating stuff!
Scottish Geology - Geology of Scotland Map
Scottish Geology Website

Extremely interesting links.

Thanks again Phuketbound.

[Mathos]

Absolutely beautiful meals

What,s that on the right ? Yorky pud? or a Haggis/

Hi TSR2.

That was a really tasty Yorky pud.


Enjoyed it.

As you do, the beef was beautiful,

[Mathos]

Flying visit.


Just been busy lately and I placed some posts on The Lancashire thread.

Thought I'd show a couple of photographs on here though before I turn in.






It was raining high up in the mountains as we were
heading up towards them one day.

Very cloudy and the river as you can see was
obviously being well fed higher up the avenue
so to speak.


Then we saw this amazing sight from a rocky mountain top.




The area towards the coast was now suffering from a separate storm.

It was fantastic.

A little like seeing the hand of God for a moment in time.


Look at this fellow taking a look around from his perch as well.





You could live a life time and not see such beauty.

It was a wonderful experience.