That one day when I thought Lee just might kill me if we took one more single-track road

It's not the driving on the left which presents a challenge in Scotland. It's really the single-track roads with hairpin turns, blind summits, random herds of sheep, and Russian roulette-esq practice of dodging locals who have a laissez-faire relationship with keeping to their "side" of the road. Had a couple of close calls and a few exclamatory moments from Lee, but we survived with nary a scratch to the car.  

It's all worth it for views like these!

We found an adorable six-car turn-table ferry to take us "over the sea to Skye." This is the road sign on the approach to the ferry...

Two working dogs accompanied the ferry runners. Love them!

That one time we went to a remote corner of Scotland and met a couple from Indianapolis!

Kylerhea Ferry

I'm on top of the world!

The Monon Trail is wider than some of the roads I drove on. Yikes!

Castle Moil ruins in Kylerhea across from Kyle of Lochalsh.

Sheep!

So. We drove to Applecross and were not impressed. The best part was the drive, honestly. Not entirely worth it as a destination.

Have you ever felt fear emanate from someone? I have when we pondered this sign and decided to take the long way round.

This concludes our time in the Highlands. :( Next up - highlights of our cottage and the journey to Edinburgh!!

Ferry from Orkney, Dunnet Head Lighthouse, and Loch Ness

It was time to say goodbye to Orkney, and so we boarded our ferry in Stromness for the 1.5 hour cruise back to mainland Scotland. A delightful surprise was seeing all of the dogs! They were all very well-behaved and friendly. 

Stromness harbour

 

Love this little guy!

First stop after disembarking the ferry, Dunnet Head and its lighthouse. Contrary to popular belief, John O' Groats is NOT the most northerly point on mainland Britain; it's Dunnet Head.

Next up, the real reason for our trip: to seek out and find the Loch Ness Monster!! Just kidding.

Urquhart Castle is a lovely ruin with access nearly everywhere. Tourists are everywhere, too...

We found it! It's the monster!!

For those of you who've read Sara Gruen's At the Water's Edge, this is the Water Gate. :) No sign of Angus, however. 

After a long day of driving, we finally arrived at our cottage near Balmacara and were greeted by this incredible sight. What a welcome!!

Next post: Plockton woodland walk & Kyle of Lochalsh