Wildlife boat tour, Inverewe Gardens, and Amazing Landscapes

Monday was our marine wildlife boat tour and we had so much fun out on the water! Not a whole lot of exciting wildlife, but plenty of birds and coastal scenery. Did see a few seals (their heads anyway) and one fat seal that I thought was a rock! Some kayakers got caught out in a rain storm - thank goodness we were on a boat with shelter!

Our boat is on the end - the Starquest

This is Alaster, he fell asleep 20 minutes into our cruise.  Love his wellies!

Coos on a cliff!

The big white rock on the left is actually a seal!

Driving from Gairloch to Inverewe Gardens was gorgeous.

What a moment this was. We're driving along when The Circle of Life from The Lion King came on the radio and then the sun popped out. It made me cry, I'm not ashamed to say. :)

Next up, Skye and more incredible coastlines!

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

Ferry crossing to Orkney and ancient places

The ferry crossing from Gills Bay to St. Margaret's Hope was perfectly timed with the sunset.

Ring of Brodgar, older than Stonehenge and far fewer tourists. We were all alone at sunrise!

Standing Stones of Stenness

Blue skies and puffy clouds!

Italian Chapel built by WWII Italian POWs. Very moving.

White, sandy beaches, anyone?

5,000-year-old Skara Brae.

View from inside Skaill House, built in early 1600s.

Fabulous library in the house.

There's this thing called the Brogh of Birsay, which is accessible by foot at low tide! We walked out a bit but didn't go all the way. 

All of this will be under water!

Next up, ferry back to the mainland and Loch Ness!