mywainwrights

you are in 'mywainwrights'» home » skye journal » dunvegan castle

Dunvegan Castle

Date ... Thursday, 14 May 2009


Our plan to today had been to drive over to Trumpan on the Waternish Peninsula and have a walk out to the lighthouse on the point. The area was supposed to be wonderful for birds and wild flowers so we were looking to the walk. All went well until we got about a mile into the walk when we came across a gate that said that no dogs were allowed out to the light house. We were really disappointed but not wanting to cause any trouble with the local farmer we turned back. We decided to have an drive and a bit of an exploration of the western coast of Skye rather than going back to the cottage. Our first port of call were the gardens at Dunvegan Castle, which were wonderful. From there we drove along the coast to Carbost and the Talisker distillery and then onto Glen Brittle before heading back through Sligachan and Portree to the cottage.

Looking back towards the old church at Trumpan where we had parked the car to start the walk

Looking back towards the old church at Trumpan where we had parked the car to start the walk

The moorland was a mass of wild flowers, like this Early Purple Orchid, this was the last shot we took before we came across the sign saying that no dogs were allowed on the headland so we turned round and headed back to the car.

The moorland was a mass of wild flowers, like this Early Purple Orchid, this was the last shot we took before we came across the sign saying that no dogs were allowed on the headland so we turned round and headed back to the car.

We thought about taking Tim down onto Ardmore Bay for a play in the sea, but that had 'Private Keep Out' signs! So we gave up the idea of a walk there and headed down to Dunvegan Castle

We thought about taking Tim down onto Ardmore Bay for a play in the sea, but that had 'Private Keep Out' signs! So we gave up the idea of a walk there and headed down to Dunvegan Castle

Dunvegan Castle, home of the Clan MacLeod for nearly 800 years!

Dunvegan Castle, home of the Clan MacLeod for nearly 800 years!

Not the best shot I've ever taken but I was surprised to see heather, blue bells and narcissi all flowering together!

Not the best shot I've ever taken but I was surprised to see heather, blue bells and narcissi all flowering together!

Sheena and Tim heading towards the 'Water Garden'

Sheena and Tim heading towards the 'Water Garden'

The bright greens of the new leaves really stood out in the bright sunlight

The bright greens of the new leaves really stood out in the bright sunlight

One of the waterfalls in the 'Water Garden'

One of the waterfalls in the 'Water Garden'

The gardens were really spectacular and are well worth a visit. They are in total contrast to the rest of the island, which is in general wild and rugged

The gardens were really spectacular and are well worth a visit. They are in total contrast to the rest of the island, which is in general wild and rugged

The Gunnera's were stunning, must get one for our garden

The Gunnera's were stunning, must get one for our garden

Looking back onto the 'Water Garden'Looking back onto the 'Water Garden'

Looking back onto the 'Water Garden'

Next we visited the 'Walled Garden'

Next we visited the 'Walled Garden'

Another view of the castle, this time across Loch Dunvegan

Another view of the castle, this time across Loch Dunvegan

The flat topped summits of MacLeod's Tables across Loch Dunvegan

The flat topped summits of MacLeod's Tables across Loch Dunvegan

Next was the highlight of the walk, a stroll through some of the mature woodlands

Next was the highlight of the walk, a stroll through some of the mature woodlands

There were blue bells as far as you could see

There were blue bells as far as you could see

The sunlight shining through the tree's onto the blue bells and ferns was delightful

The sunlight shining through the tree's onto the blue bells and ferns was delightful

A close up shot of some of the blue bells ...

A close up shot of some of the blue bells ...

MacLeod's Tables again this time from Loch Bracadale

MacLeod's Tables again this time from Loch Bracadale

Looking SE from the same spot towards The Cullins and Loch Harport

Looking SE from the same spot towards The Cullins and Loch Harport

We also paid a visit to the maker of my favourite whiskey at Carbost

We also paid a visit to the maker of my favourite whiskey at Carbost

Looking along Loch Harport with the Red Cullins in the distance

Looking along Loch Harport with the Red Cullins in the distance

We then drove round to Glen Brittle for a short stroll along the beach, and of course Tim had to go for a swim!

We then drove round to Glen Brittle for a short stroll along the beach, and of course Tim had to go for a swim!

This is probably my favourite photo from the whole trip. A view of The Cullins from the beach at Glen Brittle

This is probably my favourite photo from the whole trip. A view of The Cullins from the beach at Glen Brittle

Glen Brittle beach .....

Glen Brittle beach .....

A view of The Cullins as we drove back through the forest, Bruach na Frithe is on the left and Sgurr Thuilm is on the right

A view of The Cullins as we drove back through the forest, Bruach na Frithe is on the left and Sgurr Thuilm is on the right