Nigel's Photo Blog

Above image illustrates Ullapool waterfront. This evening, I am posting information on the town of Ullapool in North Western Scotland. Ullapool has a population of about 1500 persons and sits on a latitude of 57.89 degrees north, the same as the Outer Hebridean island of Lewis and Harris to the west. More information: Although it's present form dates to the late 18th century when founded as a commercial fishing community the name actually dates back about 1300 years (when the West of Scotland was under Norwegian control) and means 'Olaf's farm'. Situated on the banks of the sea loch (fjord) named Loch Broom. Commercial fishing is still undertaken from Ullapool but tourism is the main industry with the town now featuring in the North Coast 500 touring route. Ullapool has direct ferry link to Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis with journey time of 2 hours 45 mins. There is accommodation, shops and a small museum with an ancestry research section. Loch Broom ...

Image above shows Castle Moil at Kyleakin This evening, I am posting information on Kyleakin, a small village at the eastern end of the Isle of Skye, close to Kyle of Lochlash on the Scottish mainland. For touring purposes, I have found Kyleakin to be an excellent base for touring the Isle of Skye. Visitors can arrive at Kyleakin at end of day, overnight at the various lodgings available and then undertake a one day highlights tour of Skye before overnighting again at Kyleakin and then move on, either by ferry to Mallaig or Kyle of Lochalsh across the Skye Bridge. Interestingly, the name Kyleakin has both geographic and historic associations. Firstly, Kyle means  a narrow stretch of water, in this case between Sky and Kyle of Lochalsh, maybe a mile or so apart. Secondly, the 'eakin' element is reputed to be a corruption of Hakon which harks back to the 13th century and a time when vast tracts of western and northern Scotland were controlled by Norway. In 1263 the Norw...

(Above image is of Stornoway) My blog tonight reports on the Isle of Lewis ("Lewis") which comprises the northernmost section of the chain of islands known as the Outer Hebrides which lie off Scotland's N.W. Coast. Like the rest of the Outer Hebrides, Lewis has been occupied for at least 5000 years with such time span covering the Neolithic, Iron Age and Early Medieval (Norse) period through to modern times. Summary information on Lewis: Area: 683 sq miles. Population: 18,500. Gaelic speakers: Approx.60 pct. of population. Religion: Predominantly Presbyterian with strong respect for the Sabbath on which day little commercial activity takes place. Transport links with mainland: Air services from Stornoway and ferry services from Stornoway. Principal town: Stornoway. Ferry at Stornoway Principal historic sites: Callanish Stones (Neolithic). Carloway Broch (Iron Age) Norse Mill (Viking period) when Lewis was ruled from Norway. Gearrannan Blackhous...

(Above image is of a Harris Tweed weaver at work at Tarbert.) This evening, I am posting information on Harris in the Outer Hebrides. Latter being a chain of islands situated off Scotland's N.W.coast. Harris is not an island in it's own right but linked to it's larger northern neighbour, Lewis. Lewis and Harris jointly form a single island which sits at the northern end of the Outer Hebrides chain. Harris is distinguished from neighbour, Lewis by it's topography: Lewis is relatively flat whilst Harris is hilly, with over thirty peaks above 100feet in height. Area is 41 square miles. Snow-capped mountain on Harris Summary information on Harris: Is home to about 10pct (about 2000 persons) of the joint population of Lewis and Harris which totals 20,500. About 60pct of the population speak Gaelic. Majority of residents adhere to a version of the Presbyterian religion which incorporates sabbatarianism consequent upon which most commercial premises are cl...

(Image above illustrates a traditional, thatched cottage on North Uist.) This evening, I am posting information on North Uist which sits in the centre of of the chain of islands located off Scotland's N.W. coast and which is collectively known as the Outer Hebrides. Summary information on North Uist: Population:1271 Percentage of population which speak Gaelic: 61pct. Religion: The majority of the population (54.4pct) are Presbyterian (Church of Scotland). Principal community: Lochmaddy which is also a ferry port. Area: 118 square miles. Access from mainland: Options include(a) by air or ferry via Barra to the south (b) by air or ferry via Harris (ferry only) or Lewis to the north or (c) via ferry from Skye to Lochmaddy. North Uist boasts extensive wildlife and sandy beaches plus peat bogs and lochans (small lochs or lakes). Wildlife includes otters,the rare corncrake (bird) and large colonies of grey seals. There are several prehistoric sites including the huge c...

(Above image captures a beach scene on Barra) This evening, I am posting information on Barra, one of the southernmost islands of the island chain known as the Outer Hebrides which is located off the west coast of Scotland. Barra has a population of about 1078 of which about 70 pct speak Gaelic and about 80pct adhere to the Roman Catholic faith. More information on Barra: Accessed by ferry from Oban on the Scottish mainland which entails a trip of about 5 hours. Alternatively, there a flights from Glasgow which last about 75 minutes. Barra airport s unique in that it is the only airport in the world which accommodates scheduled flights using a beach runway. The principal community on Barra is Castlebay within which harbour can be found Kisimul Castle. This castle, which dates from the 15th century, is built on a rocky islet and reached by boat. It it leased to heritage organisation, Historic Environment Scotland by the Chief of Clan MacNeil. On Barra is Cille Bharra, ...

(Image above features central Inverness looking north.) This evening, I am posting information on the city of Inverness which is described as the 'Capital if the Highlands'. Population is 46,000. Inverness is located at a latitude of 57.47 degrees north at junction of the northern tip of the Great Glen geological fault on the Moray Firth which connects with the North Sea via the River Ness. The name translates as 'mouth of the River Ness'. which is apposite as the river flows through the city centre. Whilst Inverness has much to offer the visitor in terms of accommodation and restaurants it is best viewed as a base for exploring the local district where can be found the following attractions and places of interest: Golf Inverness Golf Club, par 60, 18 holes. (Within city boundaries.) Castle Stuart Golf Links, a championship links course. (About 7.5 miles N.E.of Inverness.) Nairn Golf Club, a traditional Scottish links course. (About 16 miles N.E.of Inve...