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Traditional Thatched House, Benbecula, Hebrides

Today we undertook a tour of the heart shaped North Uist, starting Benbecula and finishing Lochmaddy, Hebrides. This encompassed a rich diversity including:

• An otter, eagle and numerous birds including a oyster catcher.
• Stunning scenery with white sandy beaches and seascapes.
• Traditional thatched houses.
• A prehistoric stone circle.
• Prehistoric Neolithic burial cairn.
• Public sculpture.
• A friendly peat cutter
• A Crannog which was last occupied around the 16th century.

Scenic Shoreline, Hebrides, Scotland…

Castlebay, Barra, Scotland

This morning, we arrived at Castlebay after an 11 hour crossing from Oban on the Scottish mainland.This journey had taken twice the normal time due to delays caused by severe weather conditions.

Upon arrival at Castlebay we checked into the hotel for a freshen up and breakfast and then commenced a tour of the island taking in:

• The magnificent sandy beaches and coastline resplendent in the sunshine.
• Ancient religious site of Cille Bhara which dates from the 12th century but with a Christian heritage dating back to the 7th century.
• Traigh Mhor Airport, Barra’s unique beach landing strip. Here we waited patiently for a scheduled plane to land but it failed to arrive and we eventually gave up.

Mid afternoon we caught the ferry to Eriskay,…

Oban Harbour, Scotland

This afternoon our tour is experiencing a 7 hour delay due to adverse weather conditions which has disrupted ferry crossings to the Hebrides. Consequently we are facing an unplanned sojourn in Oban on the west of Scotland.

Because of the heabvy train and wind we took the opportunity to visit Glencoe, about 1 hour away. This Highland village is well known for the scenery and the infamous massacre which occurred in 1692. The latter event resulted in the deaths of up to about 100 members of the local MacDonald community at the hands of a military unit comprised mainly of members of traditional adversaries from Clan Campbell who were acting under military orders.

At Glencoe we visited:

• The National Trust Visitor Centre
• The glen with its stunning scenery with…

Ben Lomond, Loch Lomond, Scotland

This morning I collected guests from Argyll Hotel in Glasgow and then headed north-west visiting the following sites:

• Loch Lomond where we stopped to photograph a snow-capped Ben Lomond.
• Ret and be Thankful scenic pass.
• Inveraray Castle and town on Loch Fyne.
• Oban
• The prehistoric linear cemetery and stone circle site at Kilmartin Glen. First we visited the museum and visitor centre.
• Carved 14th/15th century medieval gravemarkers at Kilmartin Church burial ground.
• Prehistoric rock art at Achnabreck
• Dunadd fort at foot of Kilmartin Glen
• Oban,where we are staying tonight.

Overall, a good day aided by reasonably dry weather.

In the evening, guest John gave a demonstration of bagpipe…

Mackay Gathering, Orrin Side, Scotland

This morning, we departed Tulloch Castle Hotel and then drove a few miles west to the upscale town of Strathpeffer which boasts a few luxury hotels and a Spa. No doubt latter was the catalyst for the holiday business dating back to Victorian times. Here we visited the Mackays Hotel to explore any possible family connections.

Mackays Hotel, Strathpeffer, Scotland

Strathpeffer,Highlands Region, Scotland

Next to a 10.30am appointment at Orrin Side near Marybank where there was a gathering of extended family as per image at top of this post. This meeting lasted about three hours…

This morning, our tour commenced in Fort Augustus in the Scottish Highlands. After departing our lodgings we headed north, tracking Loch Ness, with first stop at the scenic Invermoriston Falls.

Invermoriston Falls, Great Glen, Scotland

Next, continuing north for about 20 mins we arrived at Castle Urquhart, an excellent spot to view Loch Ness. Today, there was a medieval event in process at the Castle.

Castle Urquhart, Loch Ness, Scotland

Next we continued north to Inverness, Capital of the Highlands. Here guests shopped for clan tartans at Highland House of Fraser and then we had lunch.

River Ness, Inverness,…

This morning, we departed our lodgings in the pleasant Scottish Borders town of Annan and then drove 6 miles to our first destination of Kirkpatrick-Fleming where we explored the burial ground and successfully located the grave-marker of John Gilchrist and other family members.

Annan Town Hall, Annan, Scotland

Gilchrist Ancestry, Kirkpatrick Fleming, Scotland

Nest we headed north with first stop at the quaint heritage village of Luss on the banks of Loch Lomond. We had lunch here and visited the small church which has a Viking era burial in the…