back to Part 1 of Day 10

back to the Scotland Page

At the north end of the Trotternish Peninsula, we found one of the most spectacular locations I've ever seen for a castle. Perched on a dolerite sill high above the North Sea shore, Duntulm Castle was a treasure, even while in ruins. The legends say that the castle was abandoned in the 1700's after the infant heir of the family was dropped (maybe accidently) out of a window onto the cliffs below.

Dsc00074 Duntulm Castle.jpg (61049 bytes) Dsc00077 Castle wall and Island.jpg (59682 bytes)

Dsc00076 Andy at Duntulm.jpg (59716 bytes)

Dsc00087 Castle walls and cliffs.jpg (61300 bytes)

Once again we turned south, following the western side of the Peninsula past of port of Uig. The bus had to turn through this switchback...

Dsc00090 Very tight switchback at Uig.jpg (62284 bytes)

We applauded afterwards.

Shepherds and sheep could be seen all over the place. And they have the right-of-way on the highway...

Dsc00089 Sheep shepherd and dog.jpg (62887 bytes)

Geologists hate to go "out and back". We like loop trips much better. The only other way off the Isle is by Ferry. We took one.

Dsc00102 Paul entertains kids at Ferry port.jpg (61994 bytes)

The local kids found the idea of rock collecting and rock collecters irresistible...

Dsc00104 The ferry arrives.jpg (59031 bytes) Dsc00106 Columnar jointing in sill at ferry port.jpg (62236 bytes)

I couldn't help but notice the columnar jointing in the rocks underneath the ferry port.

Dsc00117 Our crew on ferry.jpg (61728 bytes)

Dsc00121 Our crew disembarks.jpg (42805 bytes)

Our crew disembarks...

We ended the day driving along a lonely stretch of coast near Loch nan Uamh

Dsc00124 Loch nan Uamh.jpg (61531 bytes) Dsc00126 Loch near Ardnish B.jpg (12865 bytes)

And then we were 'home' in Fort William. With only two more days to go...