On this rainy day, filled with laundry and housework, I took to reminiscing of more exciting weekends past with a wander through our pictures. Not surprisingly, I fell back in love with those from our trip to Scotland, particularly the pictures of the remote, beautiful countryside. Of course there was the lush, rolling landscape that comes to mind when thinking of the highlands, but in the northern reaches of the country we came across a starker, rugged type of beauty that leaves a much different type of impression – magnificent, yet desolate in the best way possible.
Terry and I decided to break up the long drive from Inverness (home of the Loch Ness Monster of course!) to the Isle of Skye, with a stopover in the postage-stamp-sized community of Applecross. Home to only a couple hundred people and reached by two scenic and harrowing access roads, Applecross was not necessarily the simplest stop-over, although well worth it.
The Applecross Inn
Our stay at the Applecross Inn ended up being one of our best decisions on the trip, not because of the simplistic yet clean rooms but because of the cozy pub-style restaurant. What was only planned to be a dinner out evolved into an event – we spent our evening there dining on succulent seafood and scotch until the wee hours of the mornings. The most intoxicating part though was the company. Exchanging stories, impromptu singing, and lively dancing with strangers who instantaneously feel like old friends has an irresistible charm that made the painful early wake-up well worth it. Nothing a walk in the brisk, sea breeze couldn’t fix. Cheeks flushed and eyes streaming, we battled the winds through the minute town, then mossy forest, and back out to the pasture land behind the inn.
After our hike around the Applecross peninsula, we continued our journey on to the Isle of Skye. Any attempts I could make to describe the landscape would inevitably fall short, so I thought I would let the pictures speak for themselves. All I have to say is, you should visit…
Terry, leading the way!
Taking on some of the locals.
A pedestrian “bridge” for scaling the sheep fencing.
This is the reason they call it Skye!
We determined we could have easily spent a full two weeks in Skye – endless hiking options!
The Fairy Pools
…and if you visit, stay with Alan in his one-room-bed-and-breakfast, Rowan Tree Cottage. He knows the ins and outs of the area, and is nothing short of meticulous in his hospitality. We adored our time with him and his rascally puppy Jamie.
Allora - life abroad! 