The Photography of Dr. Jeffrey P. Harper

 

The Outer Hebrides are filled with archeological wonders!

Magnificent views around every corner of the winding single track roads!

 

Otherworldly scenes . . .

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Our journey from the mainland of Scotland began on a fine late June day in Oban harbour.

 

Our 10-day road and ferry trip began at our [then] home in Aberdeen, on the east coast. We spent six of those wonderful days out on the one-lane roads and ferry crossings of the Outer Hebrides.

 

The ferry out of Oban passes through a straight with views of the Isle of Mull on one side.

 

It was a gorgeous 4 hour and 45 minute ferry trip . . . it is important to book your ferry well in advance in the summer months, including the small inter-island ferries out in the Outer Hebrides.

 

Yes, I would live here . . . .

 

With so many islands off the west coast of Scotland, there are many small ferry routes.

 

History is everywhere along our route.  Castle ruins seem to dot the landscape.

 

Such a relaxing way to travel.

 

Time passed quickly and we found ourselves nearing Castlebay, the southernmost port on the Outer Hebrides, the Isle of Barra.

 

This castle sits in the bay of Castlebay . . . perhaps having something to do with the naming of the town . . . perhaps.

 

The castle in the bay of Castlebay is Kisimul Castle, dating from the late 16th century.  It is now leased to Historic Scotland Trust by the Clan MacNeil for 1 pound a year. It is a castle with an interesting history (see link).

 

We were called to the car deck just before docking in Castlebay . . . what a surprise to see several antique and collector cars there (they must have loaded after we did).   Perhaps there was a collector car rally . . . or they were returning from one.

 

We drove off the ferry and turned, stopped to take a look at where we had come from.

 

Castlebay has an 'End of the World' feeling of remoteness about it like no other place I have ever been.

 

We found our old hotel (it wasn't too difficult!) and checked in.

 

The view of Castlebay from our hotel room.  Very nice.

 

The sun stays up very late in June this far north.  I took a walk from our Craigard Hotel at 10:30pm.

 

From the hill behind our hotel I saw our ferry, reloaded, making its return voyage to Oban.

 

I sat in the evening gloom and watched the ferry pass out of sight.

 

An old church, Our Lady of the Sea, behind our hotel.

 

And off we drove up the west coast of the Isle of Barra.  Magnificent bay views, white sand and aqua waters.

 

Such a pleasant place.

 

My wife is an avid golfer, so of course we stopped in at the amazing Barra Golf Course.

 

Small yellow wild flowers, the sea, cows, and a fenced off putting green (to keep the cow paddies from becoming a 'green hazard'!!!). Lovely.

 

Cute . . .

 

Lobster/Crab pots along a rocky cove.  The scenery constantly changes.

 

Gorgeous scenes of island life, so connected to the sea.

 

We met these fine fellows along the road.  Highland cows.

 

The ever-present wet sheep.  We joked that all of the wool from the Outer Hebrides is already 'pre-washed.'

 

A vast stretch of the white sandy beach of a bay at low tide.  Barra Airport in the background.

 

The sight of the small airport drew our attention and we drove along the bay to take a better look.

 

Barra Airport is the only airport in the world with regularly scheduled flights that use a sand beach for a landing strip!

 

We went in the Barra Airport Terminal . . . for a cup of coffee and a snack.  While we were there many people started to show up.  There was a plane expected any minute.  We stayed to see the big event!

 

Someone called out, "There it is" . . . and we all turned to look at the airplane approaching from a distance.

 

Landing on the wet beach . . . 

 

The passengers disembarked onto a sandy runway . . . as they have been doing since 1936.  The only destination from this airport is Glasgow.

 

And onward we drove north on these marvelous one lane roads.

 

With sheep and Highland cows grazing everywhere, we encountered many of these 'cattle guards.'

 

At the northern tip of Barra Island we reached the Ardmhor to Eriskay ferry. There are 5 round trips a day, each carrying only 18 vehicles.  With only 90 possible places on this ferry to drive north up through the length of the Outer Hebrides, it is important to book in advance.  We had. 

 

We arrived at the ferry terminal a little early . . . which allowed me some time to explore the area.

 

Such a remote and fascinating place.

 

The sea always framed by outcrops of stone islands . . .

 

The passage between Barra Island and Eriskay Island was eerily mystical . . .

 

My memory of the passage was of the total silence . . . hardly a sound beyond the quiet thumping of the ferry diesel at work.  Calm.  Remote.

 

There was a bit of commotion among my fellow passengers.  Someone remarked, "Look. Seals."  And there they were.

 

A strange, captivating, natural beauty.

 

Arriving on the Isle of Eriskay.

 

Rocky, barren hillside . . . and the one-lane road that will take us further up the Outer Hebrides chain of islands.

 

We quickly crossed Eriskay Island and drove up and across a causeway to South Uist Island.

 

I absolutely loved driving on these narrow, winding, one-lane roads through this unique topography.

 

The remains of an old stone crofters house . . . and a stone tower on the hilltop.

 

Midsummer flowers, grey skies, dilapidated stone ruins . . . . The Isle of Lewis.

 

In and around mountain passes, sudden grand views out across the bays to the outlying islands.  Magnificent scenery.  Like no other place I have ever been.

 

Grand views like no place else.

 

Patches of light on the sea . . .

 

I am not usually partial to added photo 'artsy' technique, but this scene seemed to demand a sepia tone.  Amazing.

 

Driving up the small winding road along side a rushing stream . . . .

 

And around the bend at the hilltop . . . another magnificent view of a picturesque inlet . . . in the rain.

 

Wet sheep . . . everywhere . . .

 

Wild Hebridean stream running down out of the rugged hills.

 

Portrait of two wet sheep.  Why not?

 

We spent one night at the charming and remote Lochmaddy Hotel on North Uist Island.

 

Out along the rocky bay.

 

Rope mooring and stones.

 

Incredibly fascinating seaweed in a North Uist bay.

 

Wild flowers growing in the stony shore.

 

Leftover signs of fishermen long gone.

 

Off we went in the morning mist on the tiny roads . . .

 

A most unusual landscape.  I have never seen anything like it.  Fantastically beautiful. I always have a compunction to think I would love to live in one of those houses . . . but stop myself by thinking there would be nothing for me to do there.

 

We learned there was a good restaurant out in these soggywet landscapes.

 

More Hebridean wildlife!

 

And here and there, around a bend, a sudden, almost tropical, turquoise sea and white sandy beach.  Marvelous.

 

And around another bend a vale with deep cut peat harvesting in progress.

 

A tall smokestack . . . a monument to some previous industrial endeavor . . . all the way out here.

 

Driving the single track road in and out of the strange hills . . . always a new view . . . sometimes of a narrow bay dotted with small houses, a pier, and a fishing boat.

 

These views! The gloom!

 

We rounded a bend in the road and arrived at a tiny fishing village, Scalpay.

 

"The island used to have more than 10 shops over 30 years ago but due to lack of people and work, the last shop closed in 2007. There also used to be a salmon factory, which was a major local employer from 2001 until its closure in 2005. In the spring of 2009, local newspapers reported that the factory was to reopen as a net washing facility to support the local fish farming industry. In 2012, the Scalpay community bought and opened a community shop/café, Buth Scalpaigh."  We had a delicious lunch here with friendly service . . , soup, rolls, and fried fish.

 

Some fishing activity survives  these remote places along the craggy inlets of the Outer Hebrides.

 

People have to eat and people have to make a living.

 

Picturesque little fishing boats.

 

Crab or lobster pots . . . 

 

We drove North up into the Isles of Lewis and Harris.

 

An old tower keep on a crofters place.

 

An old whitewash, thatched-roof cottage on the dandy bay.  Charming.

 

A lovely old crofter's stone barn.

 

The views!  Literally around every bend in the road . . . so many stunning landscapes!

 

Mountains, light, sea, sky.

 

We diverted west, following a sign to Gearrannan Black House Village.

 

Gearrannan Black House Village

The Black House Village was a well-preserved museum of old thatched stone houses.

 

The houses here are all occupied . . . one is even a bed and breakfast . . . if we had only known!!!

 

Beautifully detailed construction craft.

 

An unbelievably picturesque place.

 

The village served as fishermen's cottages on a small bay.

 

We strolled around this wonderful place for hours. 

 

I have to confess: I took over 100 photos here . . . I couldn't help myself, I was overcome by the charming beauty.

 

An historical marker on one of the black houses.  Fascinating.

 

Out along the seaside west coast road of the Isle of Harris. A crofters barn, freshly thatched . . . and still in use.

 

The houses here are very simple and austere . . . almost no decoration at all.

 

There are many abandoned houses in the west of these islands.  There has been a steady drop in population as younger people move to towns and cities on the mainland of Scotland for jobs.  However, some of the old houses are being restored by pensioners from as far away as London.

 

And on and on we went . . . north to see an amazing landmark  . . .

 

Out on a remote stretch of the north of the Isle of Lewis, more abandoned crofters cottages.

 

The views became more fantastical, otherworldly.

 

At last we had arrived at our destination: The Callanish Standing Stones!

 

I have been to Stonehenge, but these were far more magnificent! 

 

"The first traces of human activity are indicated by a broad ditch (no longer visible above ground) which appears to have belonged to some structure or enclosure. This may have been ritual, but could instead have been domestic. In the centuries around 3000 BC, however, the site was turned over to agriculture, which obliterated most of the earlier traces. After this, the site was allowed to grass over for a time." -  Callanish Standing Stones

 

The stones sit on a hill with awesome views.

 

Under a stunning, ever-changing sky . . . the sun popping through now and again.

 

Magic.

 

A view from the standing stones.  Imagine living in a farm like this . . . in this place.

 

We stayed a lovely evening at the Harris Hotel, Isle of Lewis and Harris.

 

Ah! Harris tweed that way!

 

Only tweed that has been woven on the Isle of Harris can be called Harris tweed.  It is famous all over the world.

 

When I lived in London many years ago, I had a very nice Harris tweed sport coat.  I tried several of these on . . . but they felt too old fashioned . . . and professorial.

 

The winter nights on the Outer Hebrides are long, dark, cold, and windy.  Local residents have spent the dark months weaving the distinctive tweed the island is famous for on these looms.

 

We eagerly explored the few small villages out on the islands.  A nice cup of coffee and scones was very welcome.

 

We always stop whenever we see a "craft sale" sign.  You never know what amazing things you might find . . . and we have found and purchased many fantastic things on our world travels in these kinds of places . . . but not at this place.  We always try to buy something, but could not find a thing we wanted here.  Sorry ladies.

 

After five days on the small roads, we eventually made it to the very tip top of the chain of islands that make up the Outer Hebrides.  And we were not disappointed!

 

Fantastic cliff top views at the northernmost tip of the Hebrides.

 

A lighthouse sits at the tip of the Isle of Lewis and Harris.  This man rode his bicycle all the way from his home in London, England.  He was going to turn around here and ride back down the east coast to get home.

 

We drove back along the north coast as much as possible toward Stornaway and our ferry back to the mainland of Scotland.

 

In Stornoway with our waiting ferry . . . but not until morning of the next day.

 

Lews Castle on Stornoway yacht harbour.

 

We explored the small town of Stornoway. I loved this old weathered rusty loom sitting outside a tweed museum.

 

The next morning we joined the line-up at the ferry terminal for our passage home.  Again, in the rain, there were many old classic cars waiting, including this Delage.

 

Heading home on the big ferry.

 

I spent most of my time on the return ferry trip sitting out n the wind on the aft deck.  Glorious.

 

Arriving in Ullapool Harbour after a 3 hour cruise.

 

Harbour Street Ullapool.

 

We stopped halfway home between Ullapool and Aberdeen at a rural hotel that turned out to be on a tour bus company hotel with a HUGE dining room full of French and Hungarian bus tourists.  It was loud and fun!

 

We walked around the small village near the tourist hotel and discovered the Highland Museum of Childhood . . . an interesting name.  It was closed . . . like my childhood.

 

All the houses in the village were named. Ulva . . . named after an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland, off the west coast of the Isle of Mull.

 

The next morning we were off down the Scottish country roads toward our home in Aberdeen.

Although I have left Scotland and am living back in Bangkok now, I am still going through photos I took on my many photographic rambles.  This entry is of a three day ramble (mostly the northeast of Scotland) I took when my good friend John Stiles visited me.  I took many, many photos on this ramble, so it will take some time for me to complete it. These are 'The Best of John's Visit.'  Enjoy.

A North Sea sunrise along the Aberdeen Esplanade. Just above freezing.

 

First Light.  North Sea.

 

A church along an Aberdeenshire rural road.

 

Stunning November weather for northeast Scotland.

 

I the middle of the Aberdeen city centre is a wonderful church and cemetery.

 

When an old friend visits that you haven't seen in a while, and it's Halloween, and you are in an old graveyard . . . you must play!

 

After that stunning sunrise at the Aberdeen Esplanade, our day one ramble took us up the coast to the little fishing berg of Baddam where the hulls of the beached trawlers provided extraordinary abstract studies in decay and color.

 

The lighthouse at Baddam.

 

Exposed rocks near Baddam harbour.

 

The austere old section of Baddam village.

 

All along our small road route, we were continually 'discovering' fantastically beautiful scenes.

 

The stunning Fyvie Castle.

 

Gorgeous autumn scenes all around the grounds of Fyvie Castle.

 

Superb Fall colors reflected in the castle goose pond.

 

For three glorious days we rambled about the small roads of northeast Scotland.  My AWD Juke NISMO was the perfect car for the narrow, winding, wet-leaf-covered country lanes.

 

Castles and castle ruins everywhere in Aberdeenshire.

 

The Aberdeenshire roads would alternately suddenly diving into the deep shade of small forests . . .

 

. . . and back out onto the bright, stone wall lined country roads.

 

We were always up for a quick stop at an old country cemetery.

 

There is so much to see in the old cemeteries: colors, textures, old surfaces . . . . and . . . .

 

. . .  and the occasional Class III freefloating spirit vapour.

 

Autumn in a Scottish cemetery can be very beautiful.

 

No trip to Aberdeenshire would be complete without a stop at New Slaines Castle . . . a photographer's paradise.

 

A stairwell in the ruins of New Slains Castle.

 

Some of the views from inside the castle ruins onto the North Sea were stunning.

 

North Sea view from New Slaines Castle, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

 

John and I spent several hours wandering around inside the ruins of New Slaines Castle enjoying the play of light and shadow on the deserted halls and rooms . . . . . . as well as making portraits of each other among the ruins.

 

The castle on the North Sea cliffs, New Slaines.

 

The Benholme Kirke, built on the site of a 9th century hermitage.

 

Although we interrupted the Benholm Kirke bookkeeper . . . but he obliged with a tour and short history of this interesting place.

 

Benholm Kirke had a fine old 'kirkegaard' as well.

 

Moss and lichen-covered grave stone and ancient cottage slate roof . . .

 

We sometimes consulted the GPS as to any 'points of interest' . . . and discovered this old mill.

 

The sluice and water wheel were still there and still intact.

 

Down by the Old Mill Stream . . . A photographer's dream!

 

The opportunities for still life studies of mill paraphernalia was incredible.  I enter only a few of the many beautiful photographs I took here.

 

An old mill stone.

 

An old mill stone made of several stone segments.

 

The wood-shimed center bearing of an old mill stone.

 

One morning we drove south on the old coastal road to the fishing village of Johnshaven.

 

The Johnshaven townsfolk had quite the sense of humor!

 

Johnshaven was a grey and austere village (like many Scottish villages) but with a splash of color here and there.

 

The fine old stone harbour jetty of Johnshaven.

 

Johnshaven is a fishing village with many great nautical-themed photos to be had.

 

Old anchors in the boatyards.

 

Low tide along the Johnshaven sea wall.

 

The only bad weather we saw during three days.  A stormy North Sea.

 

Near Montrose there were signs of a recent flood of the River Esk.

 

Whenever we would see magic light on an old stone building we would stop and take photographs.

 

We stopped for coffee one late afternoon in the old market town of Montrose.

 

Yes, more ghoulish fun . . . in the Montrose Cemetery.

 

Montrose had some fine statues in the town square . . . here a good Samaritan was honored.

 

Montrose is typical of many Scottish towns.

 

OK, maybe Montrose is not so typical after all.

 

But what I will remember most about Montrose was the most incredible sunset of my life playing over us across the estuary bridge!

 

From beginning to end . . . we were completely enthralled.

 

Another day along the small country lanes above the North Sea.

 

Old farm houses along a strand of the North Sea.

 

A wild North Sea below the cliffs of Aberdeenshire.

 

North Sea hay bales.

 

We saw so much and did so much in those short three days . . . and this blog entry represents only a small part of it all.  I may elaborate more on this entry at a later date, but for now, that is all.

Our trip to the Isle of Mull was, a road trip, and as such, we saw many interesting places on the way there.  One such place of interest was not far from where we spent the night, the famous village of Pitlochry . . . Blair Castle.

 

The oldest sections of Blair Castle date from 1269.

 

A lovely burn (creek) ran along the side of the castle.

 

Like many castles in Scotland, there have been many renovations and much remodeling over the centuries.

 

Our route took us along the souther edge of the Highlands, and along Loch Tummel.

 

Although it was early April, Spring had not yet reached Scotland.

 

Way out in the countryside, people still built their homes as row houses . . . a statement of the power of the Scottish Lairds as much as anything I guess.  Here, along Loch Tummel.

 

Along the bluff above Loch Awe.

 

Lovely.

 

I wanted to take our Thai visitors to a magical place . . .

 

I wanted our visitors to see one of my favorite chapels in Scotland,  Saint Conan's Kirke on the shores of Lach Awe.

 

Saint Conan's Kirke is interesting because all the local Clans had a seat of representation in the chapel.

 

The Clan seats were reserved with their coat of arms.  Fascinating cultural artifact.

 

A beautiful pipe organ filled one side of the chapel. I would love to have been there to hear it play.

 

The crypts of nights and clan leaders lined the chapel.

 

The Saint Conan's Kirke chapel interior with many moods.

 

A dark, cloudy day . . .

 

There was some fine stained glass there as well.

 

A very stylized effect.

 

A wonderful window to the world . . .

 

Simple, straightforward furniture.

 

Saint Conan's Kirke.

 

Not all churches are churches.  This old rural church has been converted to a cafe . . . we stopped for coffee, tea and, of curse, scones.

 

The cafe retained many original features of the church.

 

The very beginning of Spring . . . and the first buds.

 

We arrived in the old harbour town of Oban.  It is a favorite place of ours to visit, not just because of the ferries we have taken from here, but because our favorite restaurant to have fresh oysters is there (front and center on the dock with the bright red roof). "The best oysters in the world" - my wife says.

 

We checked into a nicely restored old seafront hotel (the only white one in the row of guesthouses and B&Bs).

 

Ferry service to many of the western isles of Scotland originate from Oban.

 

The Oban Ferry Terminal (foreground) where we departed for the Isle of Mull.  That is a fake ruin on the horizon, a folly, built in Victorian times when ancient ruins were fashionable to have in your city.

 

Oban has some fine old architecture.  Here, Gaylen House.

 

Down along the pier, Oban harbour.

 

A row of old Oban harbour side B&Bs.

 

Quaint, weathered, old world charm.

 

Weathered charm.

 

But Oban was just a stopover . . . our destination was across the water . . . the Isle of Mull.

 

The ferry that took us to the Isle of Mull as it arrived in Oban.

 

The views from the windy deck of the ferry were breathtaking!

 

The rugged hills of the Isle of Mull.

 

The Isle of Mull in a nutshell . . . a sea economy and culture.

 

Friends and family visiting from Thailand means an opportunity for a road trip somewhere I have never been.  The Isle of Mull, and it's atmospheric and moody landscapes and quaint seaside villages beckoned . . .

 

The west coast of the Isle of Mull is wet, wet, wet.

 

Thick, wet moss of the west coast.

 

Early April 2017 . . . always very damp Isle of Mull.  The dampness on a cloudy day certainly brings out the color of the decomposing autumn foliage.  A view from a hill.

 

The sea invades the land around the whole of the Isle of Mull.

 

When we saw a castle ruin we would stop for photos.

 

We stopped often and walked out to points of interest and to gaze upon the fantastically moody vistas.

 

As is true for all of Scotland, there are always castle ruins to explore.

 

Castle ruins everywhere.  These are the ruins of 14th century Aros Castle.

 

Isle of Mull always presents a strange, otherworldly view.

 

A fisherman out on an Isle of Mull inlet.

 

Small villages dot the inlets.

 

This church was in a style I had not seen before in Scotland.

 

Abandoned and weathering ship on the Isle of Mull.

 

The dampness from a light drizzle brought out the color, pattern, detail, and complexity of the old rotting ship.

 

Sheep everywhere.  Very wet sheep.

 

View from our hilltop B&B of the sweet 'town' of Tobermory.

 

Our very sweet B&B, The Harbour View, was was run by a Scot and a Thai!  Our Thai visitors were able to have Thai breakfast!

 

Tobermory, Isle of Mull, has to be one of the most picturesque villages I have ever seen!

 

Not only a photographer's dream . . . Tobermory is a painters dream as well.

 

Simply Beautiful.

 

Low tide, Tobermory, Isle of Mull, Scotland.  April, 2017.

 

Half of the harbour village of Tobermory.

 

Walls along the colorful streets of Tobermory.

 

The old Tobermory church steeple against a perfect blue sky . . . in the western isles of Scotland . . . in April. Impossible.

 

I never tire of this view.

 

The small pink shed next to the harbour sold excellent ice cream.  Our B&B was on the hill above the village.

 

The old Tobermory town clock.

 

History marks itself.

 

Ancient battles fought and castles defended near here.

 

Castle Duart (c1350) under renovation.

 

The atmospheric view from Castle Duart on a cold, rainy day on the Isle of Mull.

 

Then, around a bend . . . . a photographer's dream come true!

 

Fantastic patina of age and deterioration.

 

Abandoned after years of service.

 

There are no bad light days in photography . . . .

 

Not too long before this ship completely disappears.  I wonder if this is an Aberdeen Trawler.

 

Three old fishing trawlers abandoned.

 

Nature taking over.

 

Fishermen worked these decks for how long?

 

Always a view of sea and rising hills.

 

On another day . . . sun and blue sky along the tiny roads . . .

 

Cattle and sheep augment the fishing industries of Mull.  These are Highland cows.

 

We meandered along these small roads using Google maps to guide us to points of interest.

 

After a long drive in the rain on tiny roads, we reached a small valley rimmed with low clouds and this austere church.

 

The rain came and went on all days.  These cattle were very wet!

 

The morning we were leaving the Isle of Mull the weather turned wonderful . . . of course!

 

Ships to and from the Outer Hebrides pass through the Sound of Mull.  We took one of these ferries there last year.

 

We boarded our ferry back to Oban on a beautiful morning.

 

It was a smooth passage home.

I love having friends and family visit us here in Scotland . . . we get to take them around the country and share good times together.  I also get to take my camera and shoot some pics.  We headed south out of Aberdeen for a little time in Edinburgh first.

 

The Royal Mile is always the first stop in Edinburgh.  Although it is touristic, it is also stunningly beautiful.

 

The Scottish Parliament sits astride the Royal Mile.

 

The philosopher Hume called Edinburgh home, as does this bonny lass busking with her pipes.

 

The Royal Mile leads up to Edinburgh Castle.  I loved this old cafe truck.

 

I bought a cafe latte here . . . of course.

 

Edinburgh Castle dominates the city skyline . . . and is absolutely fantastic.

 

The Edinburgh Castle drawbridge and gate.  There has been a castle on this location since at least the 2nd century AD, although there have been many rebuilds and additions since then.

 

Once inside the castle walls, an ancient world unfolds.

 

Edinburgh Castle is a 'living' castle: these offices are in current use by the Royal Family for administrative purposes.

 

Inside the castle walls.

 

I love that the Scottish National Trust has young men circulating in period WWI military dress . . . a reminder of wars gone by . . . and the human toll.

 

Of curse, the castle is a defensive position and is ringed with canon emplacements.

 

The gun emplacements had the best views of Edinburgh.

 

Looks dangerous.

 

It's always good to have the high ground in a siege.

 

There are wonderful views of Edinburgh city from the castle ramparts.

 

A small chapel within the castle walls.

 

We were at the castle as soon as it opened in the morning . . . to get the best photo opportunities, but it quickly filled up with tourists.  Here, an inner courtyard outside the grand hall.

 

Inside the magnificent grand hall!

 

A sumptuous castle interior.

 

We enjoyed several days of sightseeing in Edinburgh, but the call of The Highlands and more historic sites beckoned.

 

From Edinburgh we headed northwest and to ancient town of Dunfermline, which served as the royal capitol of Scotland until the 17th century.  Here we have the ruins of the 11th century Dunfermline Palace.

 

Dunfermline Palace ruins.

 

Adjacent to the palace ruins sits the intact Dunfermline Abbey (c. 1128).  A perfect October day in Scotland!

 

The immense ancient Dunfermline Abbey. 

 

The interior view of the old section of Dunfermline Abbey.

 

Beautiful vaulted ceilings.

 

 A working mill near Pitlochry.

 

We actually bought 'heretage' stone ground organic flour from the mill . . . it makes the BEST pan cakes!

 

A stunning scene.

 

 

 

I always enjoy visitors to my little corner of Scotland.  It gives me an excuse to go out and see things I haven't already seen in this beautiful country.  I wanted to check out the Crathes Castle Rail Station for a couple of years, and a visit by my buddy from Liverpool provided the excuse.  This is the station master, not my visitor.

 

The Royal Deeside Railway runs a summer steam train from Crathes to Banchory, only a couple of miles away.

 

I love these old steam engines.  The British and Scottish are great restorers and maintainers of these old treasures.

 

All Aboard!

 

We spent a lot of time wandering around the country roads of Aberdeenshire.

 

Further up the River Dee are several Victorian-era suspension bridges . . . this one damaged by a huge flood last winter.

 

Abergeldie Castle was nearly lost to the raging River Dee this year.  (The castle is not actually leaning . . . it is a distortion caused by my 10mm lens.)

 

Finding a gate house along the road usually means there is either a castle of grand manor house nearby.

 

Not all country houses are grand . . . not every farmer 'makes it.'

 

Lovely, bucolic rural Scotland on a rare perfect day.

 

One of the sites I wanted to see was the Natural Burial Ground near Alford.  Cothiemuir Hill Natural Burial Ground was quite fascinating.  People had chosen to be buried not in church or public grounds, but in nature, under the trees.  Stones here and there, rocks, and a few plaques marked the burials. 

 

The burial grounds were in an especially beautiful forest.  I might like this as a burial option.

 

It was interesting to walk among the ferns looking for markers . . . an exercise in reflecting on our mortality.

 

It's also nice to have visitors so you can have a photograph of yourself once in awhile.

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The next day we headed south, along the old road along the North Sea to the famous fishing village of Arbroath.

 

We walked around the village, ate a fine seafood dinner quay-side, and walked around the old harbour.  The air was so still, the water so calm.

 

I have been to Arbroath many times.  I always make a point of taking visitors there . . . the sweet pastel buildings and harbour boats are extremely picturesque.

 

Yes, it is a fishing village and they do have fishing trawlers based here.  Those colors!  Yes, the colors that day were intense.

 

Never in my life have I seen such a dramatic sky reflected in the sea!  Astonishing!

 

The strong golden afternoon light played well on the moored fishing boats.

 

Arbroath Harbour is a living, working harbour.  We walked up to the harbour breakwater wall to see what was on the other side . . . .

 

The view from the top of the harbour wall was up the coast of the North Sea to the Angus headlands.  What magical light I had that day!

 

As it was getting late, we decided to drive back to Aberdeen . . . the late afternoon light on the Angus fields were spectacular.  We stopped many times to gape at the view and take photos.

 

Wild flowers lined the fields and roads.

 

Golden fields of grain fringed by clusters of wild flowers.  Ah!  Scotland!

 

Late afternoon golden light, deep shadows.

 

Lovely daises everywhere.

 

Angus field.

 

We drove past these scenes for an hour, completely in awe of the beauty.

 

MORE TO COME!

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