Exploring Scotland 1 Castle at a Time, Part 28, Dunvegan Seal Trip, The Isle of Skye, and Minard Castle

(The Boat House at Dunvegan)

I didn’t want to leave Skye without sharing some of the pictures I took of our seal boat trip we took at Dunvegan Castle and of the surrounding area of Skye.  First the seal boat trip.

(The shoreline, remember this is a sea inlet.)




                                                 (This gull wasn't at all interested in us)



               (These are common seals and we learned there only about 2000 of them left IN THE WORLD)


                                                               (Mom and Baby)


                                       (How could anyone hurt anything with a face like that?)


                                   (This one looked as though he was waving bye to us as we left)

Skye  is the largest and most northen island of the inner Hebrides.   The areas on water are mostly  dominated by the fishing industry, distilleries, and tourism. The inner parts of the island are mostly sheep ranching areas. The wide open spaces there are unimaginable.


These pictures will show you Skye in all her many moods.  The light changed every few minutes and even the color of things would change.















I guess you can tell I went over the top photographing the area.  I was picture crazy everywhere we went.   

We left Skye and drove straight through  to the Inveraray area in Argyll. Not a good idea. The distances in Scotland are deceptive. Some things appear closer and others are actually farther away. So, if you go, look closely at the map and pay attention to what your GPS tells you. It took us nearly 5 hours to get to our B and B.

                       We arrived too late to see Inveraray Castle. This is the borrowed photo of it.


And we didn't get to see Kilchurn Castle either.  I will always-- always  regret not getting to see them. So, if you get to go to Scotland be sure to go to those two castles. And I’d appreciate an email of the pictures you take. The Campbell strongholds throughout history reside along Loch Awe. And there’s a Loch Awe hotel there that looks very much like a castle at which you can stay.

We stayed at Minard Castle on Loch Fyne.


 The Castle isn’t a real Castle but a Scottish Manor house the past owners built onto to make it look like a castle. That's what the current owner told us. Which was interesting in itself because we got to see what a manor house would have looked like inside. And we were allowed to take pictures of the interior which was great.

                           This is the entrance. I loved the room that was positioned over this. 





 We enjoyed being there and were very comfortable there.


I loved the upstairs ceiling.  It was gorgeous.


And the surrounding area is very picturesque and quiet.



I’d have loved to have stayed a few days there and explored the area.



And Loch Fyne was gorgeous. The light on the water was glorious.





Tomorrow we'll be going to Ireland on the Ferry. 

Write on,
Teresa R.

Comments

I am so thankful you took lots of photos. The second castle you said you didn't get to stay in (sorry I forgot the name) almost looks like it is in a fairytale. I can see why you'd be disappointed you didn't get to see it.

How adorable the seal are, such woeful eyes.

Thanks again for sharing. Your photos are absolutely breathtaking. I am so going to miss my holiday through Scotland when you are finished with your blogs. I feel like I have had a really great time.
Kelly's Mom said…
Absolutely breathtaking. The pictures of Skye were amazing!!

Amy
Paisley:
They were really sweet. They're so used to humans they just kind of looked at us as though to say. Here comes another batch of those pesky humans.

And Skye was amazing.
Teresa
Amy:
I couldn't take enough pictures.

I loved being in a place that no matter where you pointed your camera you had something beautiful to take a picture of.

Teresa
Deborah Blake said…
Wow. Just amazing. And so sad about the seals. Not so common after all.

Thanks for sharing all of this!
Jody said…
Lovely pictures of Skye. Dunvegan area is wonderfully wild. The light in Scotland depending on the season and even the day can change so dramatically that one has to have the camera at the ready . Really nice presentation of your trip Teresa with many fond memories.
Deborah:
Thanks for reading the blog. And yes, it's really sad about the seals.

A real shame.
I love the water so i really enjoyed the boat trip.
Teresa
Jody:
Yes, part of the reason I've written the blog is so I didn't forget anything we did. Now I've written my memories down with it, it will be set in my mind from now on.

And I got to share with everyone too.
Thank you for following my journey!!
Teresa
Anita Clenney said…
Ditto, the other comments. I'm so glad you took so many photos.
Tanya Hanson said…
What wonderful pictures! Makes me want to go. I love Highlander romances.
Anita and Tanya:
Thanks for reading the blog. And pictures do speak so elliquently.

Teresa R.
Thanks Karen. I appreciate it.
Teresa R.

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