Photographing my travels: East coast Scotland, Skye and Isle of Lewis with my cousin

I left for the mainland early September to pick up my cousin Debi from Glasgow airport. She was flying in from Montreal, Canada. I had a lovely trip on the ferry. We were entertained by dolphins, a minke and seabirds. Just outside Contin my tyre gave away and I was stuck in a layby until 8.30 before a replacement arrived from Elgin. I made the Culloden campsite by 9.15 and the kind hosts stayed open for me and connected the electricity.

Minke amongst the birds

Gannet taking off

A busy drive to Glasgow airport which was a nightmare for parking. Once in you cannot get out without paying. I had no idea the parking was so expensive. I drove out paying £5 for nothing and found a Londis petrol station where I thought I would top up and try to find out where to park for a reasonable amount. The helpful attendant told me I could put my registration in the machine and have 3 hours free parking on the forecourt. Debi's plane was late so I was stressing but all was well and we were soon on our way to Keith for a couple of days. Debi's father's family came from Elgin so we spent a couple of hours looking around Elgin before driving to Lossiemouth where Debi spent time at her grandparents beach hut. Then to Findhorn to visit the eco village. Went too soon and I wished I had booked another day to explore the area.

A walk near our apartment in Keith

On the beach at Lossiemounth

Lossiemouth

Onward to Skye the next day where we were camping at the Staffin campsite for a couple of nights. Had a good walk looking for dinosaur prints. Took the afternoon ferry on Wednesday back to Isle of Lewis and Harris landing in Tarbert and home.

Hooded crow

View from the walk from the campsite

Old man of Storr in the distance

Debi

Spot the cow's backside

Is it a footprint

We explored a few beaches over the next few days. First Vatisker then on to Reef on Saturday. Callanish stones and Bragar the next week. Luckily the surfers were out at Bragar so lots of opportunities for photos.

Seen at Cnip beach

Harebell

Secret beach at Reef

Razor bills seen on my monthly wetland survey

Callanish stones

A rainbow at Dal Mor

River at Dal Mor

Surfers at Bragar

We stopped off at the Port of Ness and were lucky to have a white-tailed eagle fly past chased by a gull. A good walk from the lighthouse to Eoropie beach and back.

On the walk to Eoropie

Finally made it back to Harris and did the loop around stopping for coffee at Skoon Art cafe to admire Andrew's paintings. Lots of seals along the golden road. Visited the church at Rodel and spent money at Granny's attic. Then on to walk to the temple at Northton and drove past the beaches before stopping at Luskentyre around 4pm. Car park was still busy but people were leaving so I found a space.