Crossing to Mull
I took the ferry from Oban to Craignure / Mull twice. The first pics were taken on a sunny early afternoon with a stiff breeze going on. There were some drama queen clouds, but they never did any harm.
Kerrera
Approaching Mull
The coast of Morvern on the other sideof the Sound of Mull
The second set was taken on a late evening two days later, on the way back from the trip to Staffa and Iona. There had been a few showers during the night and the morming, and the air was much hazier, though the sea was calmer.
Mull, again
Morvern coast and entrance to Loch Linnhe, veiled in haze
Lismore Lighthouse
The light is never the same for five minutes, a challenge but also a lot of fun for a photographer. Though none of the photos matches reality.
Next part of the journey, from Craingnure to Fionnphort can be found
here.
My Scotland Tour 2009
Here's the the usual introductory post with pictures of places I've visited.
I've been adding links to longer posts when I write them.
Edinburgh Castle
I started with
Edinburgh. I had visited town and castle back in 1998, but this time the weather was much nicer. Edinburgh is also a good starting point to explore some places in the surroundings.
Dunfermline Abbey
A Romanesque church and some lovely ruins with lots of history behind them.
Craigmillar Castle near Edinburgh
This one, in the outskirts of Edinburgh, is less well known, overshadowed by its bigger brother, but Craigmillar Caslte is a pretty place to go on a sunny afternoon.
Inchcolm Abbey
The ferry trip to Inchcolm in the Firth of Forth was a bit rough, but I don't mind that. I got a mix of sunshine and horizontal rain and bought a cape at the tourist info. They know why they sell them there.
Linlithgow Palace
One of Mary Queen of Scots' favourite palaces. It takes some imagination to see those ruins full of people in colourful clothes, singing, courting, having fun. And the occasional sombre Puritan.
Stirling Castle
Another castle I revisited. The great hall was scaffolded in in 1998, so I was curious to see the result of the renovation work.
Dunkeld
Those ruins are steeped in history. And very peaceful nowadays. I was lucky to pick a time with no tourists around to ruin the atmosphere.
Doune Castle
Half of an afternoon left over and a nice taxi driver who made me a bargain price added Doune Castle to the list. Just well there was no filming going on - it is a popular destination as film setting.
Antonine Wall
Of course, I needed to visit the wall the Romans left behind.
Roman bath at Bearsden / Glasgow
And another Roman bath for the collection. Aelius Rufus approves. :-)
Hunterian Museum, Glasgow
The Hunterian Museum shows a lot of historical artifacts from the Picts to the Romans and beyond. I had not so much time; one could stay there much longer.
Glasgow Cathedral
The cathedral needs a good sandblasting, but the interior is very nice.
Duart Castle, Mull
The next days I spent in
Oban from where I explored some interesting places. Like Duart Castle on
Mull which can be reached by a ferry tour.
Dunadd Hillfort
Dunadd, the ancient royal seat of the Dalriatan kings. A steep walk up, but well worth the effort. And the weather played nice, too.
Dunstaffnage Castle, near Oban
Another big castle right outside of Oban.
Staffa
There are combined tours that take you to Staffa and Iona via Mull by bus and ship. A tour I'd recommend provided you don't get seasick easily. The waters between Mull, Staffa and Iona tend to be on the rough side.
Iona
Iona, the ancient religious centre, is just stunning.
Inveraray Castle
Seat of the Campbell chiefs. No wonder I had to visit that castle.
The last two aren't in Scotland, but I picked them up on my way back from Newcastle to Amsterdam.
Arbeia Roman Fort
More Romans. I had visited
Segedunum (Wallsend) in 2007, so it was fitting to explore the other shore of the Tyne this time.
Tynemouth Priory
Picturesque ruins in the sunshine. I love taking photos of those and sometimes just walking around.
And they were everywhere
Though usually not posing for a photo as nicely as here.
And Off We Go
The blog will be on hiatus until around June 18th, while I explore the Antonine Wall, some Scottish castles and cathedrals, Iona and other interesting places and beautiful landscapes.
Statue of Robert the Bruce, Bannockburn / StirlingWhat will be less fun is dragging around that big suitcase, but in Scotland, you'll have to pack for
every weather. Including snowstorms in June. *grin*