Last Full Day Up North

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It was a cloudy day on Sunday. There was the odd light rain shower but nothing sustained or heavy. Peter and Kathy wanted to see a castle and so we drove them down to one of the most photographed castles of Scotland, Eilean Donan (Island Donan). You probably recognize it from the photo (top) with it's distinctive setting on a rock out in the water and the causeway bridge that leads up to it.

As with many of these castles, there was one on the site dating back to the 12th, 13th, or 14th century which was nothing but a very small ruin at the turn of the 20th century. The man who had it restored in the 1930s, claimed that the original plans came to him in a dream. He hired an architect and over a period of years, the castle you see today took shape.

We've visited Eilean Donan a few times but this is the first time we've been since the visitor centre has been built. They are going all out for tourist business now, whereas when we were there only 2 of the rooms were open for visitors. Now there are several, with knowledgeable guides in the first two to give you good background information and to answer questions.

After our tour we had tea and scones in the visitor centre tearoom before getting back on the road for our return journey. We were taking the long way home via the Applecross Peninsula. We got to the hamlet of Applecross by crossing the Bealach na Ba (Pass of the Cattle), a single track that winds its way up and over the hills to a height of around 2,000 feet affording breathtaking views. That is, if you have any breath available for this ride can be a tense one. Going up the one side and coming down the other, there are some switchbacks that look like the Mark of Zorro! (See the 4th photo from the top.) I love driving it, though, and we never tire of the scenery.

In Applecross we stopped for dinner at the very popular and always crowded Applecross Inn, which is known for its fresh seafood. We had a bit of a wait but in the end, it was worth it...as usual.

We took the coast road back to Torridon, a long and windy road that affords views of the Cuillin Hills on the Isle of Skye. It was a lovely journey all the way. As is frequently the case in Scotland, the late afternoon and early evening were much brighter and sunnier. The last photo above is of Shieldaig harbor.