Isle of Harris

Caught the ferry from Berneray to Leverburgh, Harris.  Had a coffee at Temple cafe at Northton before stocking up on groceries.  Back to Temple cafe for lunch - to be recommended.  I had a few hours to wait until I was able to arrive at the Bothy where I am staying for a week.  I drove around the Golden Road (so called because it cost so much).  Went into a few galleries and had tea at Skoon Art Cafe.  Finally arrived at La'al Bothy (http://www.laalbothy.co.uk/#).  Very impressed with this.  I have never seen a four poster bunk bed before.  Could sleep six here but it would snug.  A beautiful view, even seeing it through the rain which has been going on most of the day.  Still managed a few grey snaps.

Coming into Leverburgh

A number of sheep on the journey

The beaches are still beautiful despite the weather

As I am typing this the sun is making an appearance so I might have to go out.

A very chilled Sunday - needless to say the sun did not stay out yesterday but it was out in force today.  A walk to the temple at Northton this morning then a walk on Scarista beach this afternoon.

There were four beaches on my way to the temple - that little tower on the horizon to left of the pic

Another tern attack.  I just pointed and shot but nothing sharp.  This is a blend of two images. 

Who says there has to be a straight horizon?

Machair flowers to the temple

Beach pattern collage

More machair abstract

Scarista beach with river in foreground

Scarista beach

More views of Scarista

It rained most of the day on Monday.  I went into Stornoway and bought my festival tickets for HebCelt.  I managed to take some images on the way back in the pouring rain.  There were some torrential waterfalls.

The first two images were taken at Seilebost in the morning

Now it is the afternoon and pouring with rain with heavy mist

The only torrent I could park near and grab before the rain got to my lens

Met up with my friend Jenny at Hebrides Art Cafe this morning for coffee.  I had spent an hour at the sheep dog trails beforehand.  Went on a trip to Strond and then a similar walk in Northton as I took on Sunday.  Good lunch and tea at the Temple cafe.

A view from Strond across to Rodel

By the path on the Northton walk

dead sheep by the beach

Photo of me by Jenny

La'al Bothy

Another rainy day but I spent the morning at Hebscape, a new gallery with inspiring images by photographer Darren Cole lrps.  For more info and to see his work go to www.hebridean-photoholidays.com
I then drove out to Scalpay and the Golden Road.

Found a derelict house

Last two images on Golden road

A trip to Luskentyre on Thursday morning, then coffee at Skoon Art cafe and a trip around the top half of the golden road.  I discovered a derelict cottage.  In the afternoon I visited the North Harris agricultural show.

In the evening I went to a concert by Magnolia Sisters - cajun music - very good.  Came out to the most beautiful sunset.

Patterns from the river bed - does it look like a face?

Fun watching to see if they could get the sack over the pole with the fork

This is an in camera movement of a photo which does not want to load at present.

Finally managed to load the image

On Friday I decided to do a walk advertised in Island Life - a magazine brought out by Stornoway Gazette.  My friend Jenny won the photographic competition this year and features on the front cover.  The walk was from Huisnis to the most beautiful beach, Traigh Mheilein which is not accessible by car.  The views were fantastic but it was a bit of a slog after I left the beach and it took me 5 hours in all.  Photos to be loaded later.

Taken me nearly a week to get these photos on.  So much going on.

First sight of the beach.  You have to walk to the end of this small bit and it opens out

Looking over to Scarp

Managed to find some shade and sat on a rock to have lunch and took this pic

Jellyfish in the clear waters

Remote cottage on a loch.  From the cottage back to the original path was the slog

Views from the top

No tweaking - the colours are like this

Another pic of Seilebost on the way back to the Bothy

Sunset from Scarista Beach.  The small speck on the horizon is a sailing ship

So that was Harris.  A week is not enough time but I did managed to cover a little bit more then my usual day trips from Lewis.