Highland Thoughts

[Mathos]

Do you reckon they supplied Shell petrol ?

Isn,t there some problem with old tanks re removal legislation ?

Maybe, in the early days they could have been.


Decontamination, and there are numerous problems with the same.

It's expensive to clean up land contaminated with petrol, diesel and oil.

Old sites, tanks were left in the ground, rotting and leaking, man holes had been filled in and concreted over etc. No records of where they might have been even.

There are professional bodies now though, who drill the ground and test for contamination, they can pin point the slightest traces of fuel presence.

[Mathos]

This looked nice, we couldn't help but notice,
bridges and most of the cottages and homes
in general, looked like they really belonged there.




There's a building, maybe two or more
probably houses nestling in the trees
on the right of the photograph.

This bridge looked spectacular.




It's quite amazing that such high standards
of construction were taken out in the
remotest of places.

They were obviously built with heavy loads in mind.


Looking out to sea towards The Summer Isles.





Spectacular.


The Landrover pick up here, must have been giving problems.



Grass growing around the wheels,
the radiator appeared to have been removed.


This looked brilliant.



So much beauty.

Sensational sights.

[Loy Toy]

Wonderful mate, just bloody fantastic this thread!

You and your wife must be having a wonderful adventure and thanks for sharing.

[Mathos]

Wonderful mate, just bloody fantastic this thread!

You and your wife must be having a wonderful adventure and thanks for sharing.

Thanks LT

We have been fortunate enough to have done quite a bit of travelling in our lives.

Been to most places once and some of them twice, or more.

Thing is when you're looking after children plus a full blown working life, the records of your travels get lost in the distant memories. Photographs are hard copies and they too get lost, misplaced, or loaned out and never come back etc.

With these modern digital cameras and computers, you can do a great deal more.

Saving records is much easier and it helps to write about the same.

So I write my records and place the pics on the thread. It makes it much more interesting and from time to time, there is feed back, such as you have given.

It's appreciated.

Thanks.

I have plenty to write about regarding The Orient especially and other countries, but it already appears well covered on the forum.


There are quite a few threads I did though (on this forum) about a year or so back with regards to Oriental travels and experiences. Still plenty to place on them, but I'm busy enough with UK stuff at present.


Writing about the UK is also obviously appreciated by many expats so there is the added sense of doing something, if only slightly beneficial for others.

[Happyman]

Writing about the UK is also obviously appreciated by many expats so there is the added sense of doing something, if only slightly beneficial for others.

100% right there!!

Even though I have no intention of going back to live there the landscape, and how it evolved, as well as the traces of former occupants of the place , is one of my major interests.

( apart from fishing that is )

[Mathos]

Must say, when we came across views like this, a small settlement nestling at the bottom of the mountains and by the waters edge.

You can't help but have admiration for so much beauty.



It takes some beating.

There are some substantial out-buildings in the locations.



I rather think weather protected storage is of high value.

Check this out:-




Special isn't it.


The deeper you look.




The more beautiful and kind of special it seem to turn.

We were amazed at some of the beauty we witnessed
virtually every hour of every day we were there.




Even looking again and again into the photographs we seem to find something we missed last time

The old 'Crofters Cottage' minus roof, looks brilliant in this one.

It's screaming out to be made habitable again.


This one has been.



Pity about the sheet roof as opposed to slate or stone,
but I fully appreciate the availability of funds available
dictate the mode of refurbishment.

However, we were and still are totally lost with attempting to work out how this building got planning consent, or what it does.



Weird.



Back to something special though.




What a spectacular place and amazing location.

[Mathos]

Writing about the UK is also obviously appreciated by many expats so there is the added sense of doing something, if only slightly beneficial for others.

100% right there!!

Even though I have no intention of going back to live there the landscape, and how it evolved, as well as the traces of former occupants of the place , is one of my major interests.

( apart from fishing that is )

Cheers Happyman.

Couple of good looking river views for you to take in.



Almost making me want to hire a rod.




Whoever lives in the house there, is well situated.



Must say, this last one especially is a spectacular looking stretch of water.

Hope you like it.

[phuketbound]

Back to something special though.



.[/QUOTE]

Spectacular is right! Wow! Imagine living there! I'm still watching this thread. Lovely pics! Are you still touring around there now..when were these pics taken?

[Mathos]

Phuketbound wrote:-

Are you still touring around there now..when were these pics taken?

No Young Lady, we are back home now.
The photographs were all taken during a trip we had in the Highlands during March of this year.

If you check the thread from the first page or two, the details are all there-in.

[Mathos]

I'd made reference to some of the submarine bases in The Highland Lochs.

Interesting places indeed.




This is a very interesting plaque as you can see.


Interesting links here and quite recent from October of last year.
Argyll News: Argyll,Scotland,Loch Ewe,Arctic Convoys: October 2008 ...October 2008 Arctic Convoy Tribute at Loch Ewe, with link to Oban Argyll. ... submarine and US Naval representatives were present at the Pool House tribute. ...
forargyll.com/2008/10/october-2008-arctic-convoy-tribute-at-loch-ewe/ - 82k - Cached - Similar pages

This is one of the base locations.




The ship out on the water is actually a Customs patrol vessel.


The base here all decked out in 'Battle-Ship Grey' was quite imposing.



Note the 'Grey' telephone box.

Quite unique I thought.



Impressive, no doubt at all about that.


Brilliant history attached to these locations.



We have a certain way of doing things that never seem to be equalled.



Special !

No two ways about it at all.

[Mathos]

This was a beautiful area, very special with a real close knit friendly type of ambiance.




Outstanding link below with a good menu of information on the left of the Home Page.



Originally a coaching inn, (the principal building dates from 1570) the Poolewe Hotel has a long history of providing quality accommodation with the best in Scottish Highland hospitality.

During the second world war, senior naval personal were accommodated here, as the great Arctic convoys were assembled in the loch itself before leaving for the ports of northern Russia.

The Poolewe Hotel can be found at the head of Loch Ewe where the river Ewe, rushing down from Loch Maree, meets the water of the Minch.

Check it out in detail:-


Poolewe Hotel : holiday accommodation in Poolewe, Highlands of ...
Hotel accommodation in Poolewe, Scotland, ideal location for a peaceful holiday for couples or a family visiting the Northern Highlands.
Poolewe Hotel : holiday accommodation in Poolewe, Highlands of Scotland - 6k - Cached - Similar pages
Tariff
Contact
Image Gallery
Restaurant
Location
About Us
More results from poolewehotel.co.uk »




This was a very cute little store with Post Office combined.



Good link here:-

Well worth looking at.



Pool House - A haven of relaxed sophistication - unique hotel and ...
Pool House - location map. Pool House, Highland, Poolewe, Ross-shire, Scotland. IV22 2LD. Tel: +44 (0)1445 781272. Fax: +44 (0)1445 781403 ...
Pool House - A haven of relaxed sophistication - unique hotel and dining - 7k - Cached - Similar pages

What a simply fabulous location.




Simply brilliant.


You cannot equal places of such natural beauty.



Mind-blowing.


During WW11 most of these places came under extremely severe air craft attacks from The Luftwaffe.

Both bombing and machine gun attacks virtually on anything that moved.

[Mathos]

Gairloch.



What a place this was.

So much to see.

You could spend weeks in these Highland locations and still not feel that you had seen enough of the endless beauty.

Wester Ross is one of the best, if not the best areas in Europe for watching marine wildlife.

Regular sightings have been made of Minke,
Sei, Sperm, Orca, Humpback,
Pilot and Bottlenose Whales;

White Beaked and Risso’s Dolphins,
Harbour Porpoises, Basking Sharks

What else to see – Common and Grey seals, Otters and an amazing number of some of the rarest seabirds in the British Isles such as; Black and Red Throated Divers, White-Billed Diver, Golden eagles, White-tailed Sea Eagles, Skuas, Puffins, Guillemots, Gannets, Frigate Birds, Storm Petrels, Shearwaters.

Also Common and Grey seals, Otters plus an
amazing number of some of the rarest seabirds
Examples:-
Black and Red Throated Divers, White-Billed Diver,
Golden eagles, White-tailed Sea Eagles,
Skuas, Puffins, Guillemots, Gannets, Frigate Birds,
Storm Petrels, Shearwaters.

Several wildlife cruises leave Gairloch pier
every day during the summer months.

Pity they were not running whilst we were there.

However, with a good pair of binoculars or telescope
it is possible to sit on the shores of Wester Ross
watching these rare animals many of which
can be seen throughout the year.

What a place.

Boats and all.

Spectacular harbour.

I would never have thought there could be so many
boats of such varied descriptions in such a
relatively small section of our beautiful shores.

Lobster boats, trawlers, you name it or think of it.

Look at this beautiful bridge as well.

Brilliant link here.

Music and all:-

The Old Inn - Gairloch, North-West Highlands
The Old Inn Gairloch provides accommodation in the highlands of Scotland in an award winning pub.
The Old Inn - Gairloch, North-West Highlands - 12k - Cached - Similar pages

Some heavy equipment on these trawlers as you can see.



Another spectacular view just to close this post.

[Mathos]

This was a really nice looking Hotel.



A really informative map here as well.
Travelling from:

Ullapool and the North
Follow the A835 south out of Ullapool and then take the A832 at the Braemore Junction.


Inverness and the South
From Inverness take the A9 North. At Tore roundabout take the A835 to Ullapool, turning off at the Braemore Junction. Follow the A832 to Aultbea.

The Isle of Skye
From Kyle of Lochalsh, follow the A87 East. Then take the A890 North, joining the A832 at Achnasheen. Follow the signs for Gairloch and Aultbea.

Once in the village of Aultbea, the Hotel can be found on the Loch side, off the main road (A832).


Spectacular roads as always in these locations.



Leading to more amazing places of rugged and natural beauty.





How do you compare, one place with another you have just moved on from.


Check the links here:-

Historic Aultbea Hotel Built in 1850 by Lord Zetland, Scottish ...

The Aultbea Hotel built originally by Lord Zetland in 1850 as a hunting lodge on the shores of Loch Ewe, it was from there that the great convoys set off ...
Historic Aultbea Hotel Built in 1850 by Lord Zetland, Scottish Highlands - 8k - Cached - Similar pages


And this:-

Aultbea : Drumchork Hotel, Scotland :: whisky, restaurant and seafood
Serving good food in a homely environment, the Drumchork Lodge Hotel all day ... Sunset dining room at Drumchork Lodge Hotel The public bar with open log ...
www.hotelaultbea.co.uk/dining.asp - 16k - Cached - Similar pages
More results from www.hotelaultbea.co.uk »


I'm sure The Coast-Guard was keeping an eye on us both as well.






Why not.

[Mathos]

Amazing and awful how so many lives were lost in the
last two World Wars and the general conditions
men both died and survived in.

Submarines especially must have created
claustrophobia in the majority of men,
I rather suspect.




Come to think about it, ships, planes,
tanks and armoured vehicles must all have
felt like traps, especially when under enemy fire.



A little shore leave and hopes for a safer,
better, more secure future, must have
been good for the body and soul in general.




There aren't so many left now who would
have the reality of memories to be
visiting such places.

In time, they become historical museums
for folk to look, read and give little
or no real thought to.

Lets go to the Whiskey Distillery now lads.

Pity, but that's life.


A cute and rather unique looking bridge here by
Alex Forbes and Sons.



He no longer retails petrol though.

I think I mentioned earlier, the majority of
old petrol stations had closed down.
It's important to ensure there is enough
in your tank for your days travel in such locations.

The cost of bringing these old outlets in line with
contemporary standards plus meeting all the regulations
prohibits such negative investment.



Some old defence type bunkers here.

It helps to have diesel vehicles in such isolated places.

Under the law, the storage of diesel fuel in cans is not regulated
in the same manner as petrol, due to the explosive differences.

You wouldn't really want the next door neighbour
storing a hundred gallons of petrol in his garage
that's for sure.

During the petrol strike in the 1970's in The UK a
solicitor from Preston who lived on a small island
along the Lancashire coast was severley dealt
with for storing petrol at his home without a licence.

I don't think it would be possible to obtain a
licence to store petrol at home in any event.

A little more here on the hotel.

Poolewe and Cove are both situated on the shores of loch Ewe, the only north facing loch of Wester Ross.

Poolewe is a very lovely small town with its own market every tuesday morning.

Poolewe hotel, which serves good dinners and the Bridge Coffee Shop, owned by two lovely people who serve great coffees and cakes during daytimes.

Poolewe is located at the beginning of loch Ewe where the river from loch Maree (only 2 miles away) flows into loch Ewe.

Poolewe would be a nice place for a holiday.

The b8057 takes you from Poolewe to Cove passing Inverasdale, Naast and Midtown.

Cove is where the road ends and at Rubha nan Sasan you can find a war memorial to the crews lost on Russian Convoys. (photograph on previous post)

Loch Ewe was used in WWII for naval vessels to assemble before sailing the oceans in convoys.


Beautiful places all around these parts.



Nice hotel here as well.

[Mathos]

There were some fancy landing stages in
several of the Lochs in this area.




They were never built for Trawlers either.


I think The Coastguard was homing in on me.




Maybe they had put a bug under the Jeep.


Maybe I was getting paranoid.


All good fun.

This Hotel was really nice.




It would break the bank to even think of
building a place as grand as the above
in today's climate.


Splendid looking building.

The link is worth looking over.


Visitscotland Gairloch Hotel Gairloch Hotel Welcome accommodation ...
Gairloch Hotel - Hotel accommodation in Gairloch brought to you by Visit Scotland.
guide.visitscotland.com/vs/guide/5,en,SCH1/objectId,ACC1483Svs,curr,GBP,season,at1,selectedEn try,home/home.html - 17k - Cached - Similar pages



Another interesting cruise point near The Gairloch Hotel as well.







Hebridean Whale Cruises

1. Whale watching and wildlife trips from Gairloch. The most diverse range of whales and other marine wildlife around mainland Scotland. Whale watching trips ...
   Whale watching and wildlife trips from Gairloch Scotland – Hebridean Whale Cruises - 11k - Cached - Similar pages

It amazed me, as to how good the facilities were in these locations.

Pity we were out of season with regards to these sort of trips.



It was nice to be there.



We enjoyed every single moment.




Interesting tippets of information here and there,
as you can see from some of the photographs
I have placed on the thread.



A beautiful part of the harbour for the trawlers.




We didn't see a great number of properties for sale.



Nice looking dormer here though.




Where are we Flobo?

I always leave Flobo in charge of navigation.

That's how and why we get lost so much and so often.



Peace.

I'll cop it when she reads this.


On our way to Dingwall.








Look at this.



Have you got a ticket Happyman?


Meanwhile...



Back in The Trawler Depot.

[TSR2]

During the petrol strike in the 1970's in The UK a solicitor from Preston who lived on a small island along the Lancashire coast was severley dealt with for storing petrol at his home without a licence.

Was that a guy named Keith Scholes ?

The Island near Grange over Sands? Holme Island I think

He went to Prison over some corrupt deal I think linked to that island,

He was a strange character, looked a real posh Rupert with posh accent yet his family were working class, his father was a security guard at Leyland Motors gate.

When I went to Blackpool Tech 1959/61 he was a student there at the same time only differance was I travelled by bus from Preston ,

He arrived in a Mk 7 Jaguar !! weird

A real conman

[Mathos]

During the petrol strike in the 1970's in The UK a solicitor from Preston who lived on a small island along the Lancashire coast was severley dealt with for storing petrol at his home without a licence.

Was that a guy named Keith Scholes ?

The Island near Grange over Sands? Holme Island I think

He went to Prison over some corrupt deal I think linked to that island,

He was a strange character, looked a real posh Rupert with posh accent yet his family were working class, his father was a security guard at Leyland Motors gate.

When I went to Blackpool Tech 1959/61 he was a student there at the same time only differance was I travelled by bus from Preston ,

He arrived in a Mk 7 Jaguar !! weird

A real conman

You have a really outstanding memory TSR2.

I couldn't recall his name or further details.

I'm sure you are right though. It rings a bell,
Mr Scholes. Peculiar chap indeed.

The Island and his home were from all accounts quite spectacular.



Not my photograph this, I took it from The Net.

Holmes Island Morecambe Bay.

I might drive over there next week and take a photograph or two for The Lancashire thread.

He did end up going to prison I think, cannnot remember what it was all about though.

[TSR2]

A real conman

Something he had and suppose do all good Conmen he was very intelligent and possessed "SUPREME SELF CONFIDENCE"

Even in 59/60 wnen he was only 18/19.

Christ if only I had the same then or even now!!!


Just thinking ,there is a medical term for their behaviour, lack of guilt/conscience/morals etc etc , triple Y Chromasone?


Shit! just realised the Grand Referee is going to blow the whistle on this deviation , sorry HM.

[TSR2]

Just to piss off Happyman even further, Scholes offered me a lift back to Preston,in his Jag, got to Jaguar House at Lea /Preston, he needed to turn right, to Leyland ,I needed to go straight on to fulwood ,guess what,
It was a long walk home,
Then in the late 70s I

[Mathos]

Just to piss off Happyman even further, Scholes offered me a lift back to Preston,in his Jag, got to Jaguar House at Lea /Preston, he needed to turn right, to Leyland ,I needed to go straight on to fulwood ,guess what,
It was a long walk home,
Then in the late 70s I

You've got about a good bit too TSR2.


Wouldn't be a bad idea for you to do a Thread on your escapades and some of the folk you have come across in your life time.

Think about it.

[Mathos]

I mentioned The Hebridean Princess.

We caught sight of her a few times whilst in The Crinnan area.



From what I learned, the vessel was once a Ferry.

Converted to luxurious standards and is a very popular attraction for folk wishing to sail the Highlands and visit accordingly.

All the following photographs and information are what I have taken from one of the brochures.

Different cabins on board the Ship.




Very attractive looking.




Luxurious is perhaps the correct description and terminology.



Sumptuous might be more to the point.

Really splendid looking.



You'll note they have been 'Christened' with titles applicable to the various Lochs, Islands and other interesting parts of the sailing routes.





There's a magnificent range of different routes to cruise throughout the year.


It's a good idea to put these photographs to your picture management and view on full screen.

Much more effective.

[Mathos]

Cabin facilities, along with other interesting information.




Plenty of details on these sheets as well.

Full plans of the decks.




Five levels, that surprised me.





Look at this photograph from the brochure.

Fantastic.


Check this out.




An A - Z of on board facilities so to speak.



The above gives details of one of the cruises, prices starting from £3,136..00 per person.

Climbing up to £8,230..00 for the creme de la creme with regards to cabin selection.




The above from £4,200..00 to £11,020..00

Obviously the luxury is costly.




The scenery is amazing.

Personally, I'd sooner drive around like me and Flobo do.

I'm not a ship person.

Maybe in later life, who really knows.

[Loy Toy]

So I write my records and place the pics on the thread. It makes it much more interesting and from time to time, there is feed back, such as you have given.

The thing I enjoy about your presentations is the fact I look at a pictures and I can smell the sea air and hear the waves, feel the frost and smell and taste those wonderful meals that you have almost every day.

I can feel the leather lounges you sit in and smell the wood and fireplaces that are shown in the hotels that you visit.

Thanks for bringing these images and wonderful feelings into our home as my Asian kids also enjoy viewing your thread.

All the best to you and your missus!

[Mathos]

I've only made a small selection on the cruises available.

There are numerous throughout the year.




If any reader is really interested, let me know,
I'll get a full brochure for you observations.


Great introductory reading her as well.



The continuation:-



Check this one out.




All around the Lochs from £928..00 to £2430..00 for the top of the range cabins.

All that comfort for five nights, and a Gala Dinner thrown in.

Has to be good value for money.




Especially with scenes akin to this.

Special isn't it.

[Mathos]

So I write my records and place the pics on the thread. It makes it much more interesting and from time to time, there is feed back, such as you have given.

The thing I enjoy about your presentations is the fact I look at a pictures and I can smell the sea air and hear the waves, feel the frost and smell and taste those wonderful meals that you have almost every day.

I can feel the leather lounges you sit in and smell the wood and fireplaces that are shown in the hotels that you visit.

Thanks for bringing these images and wonderful feelings into our home as my Asian kids also enjoy viewing your thread.

All the best to you and your missus!

Loy Toy,

Thanks tremendously for those kind and very sincere words.

I'm so glad that you and your family enjoy and sense what I place on here.

The wishes you give to myself and Flobo are reciprocated to you and your family.

Thank you.