“On The Road To Elgol” — Distant mountains and cloud-filled sky along the route to the Scottish village of Elgol.
We had several days to explore the Isle of Skye during or May visit to Scotland. We stayed at a somewhat off-the-grid location to the west of Portree. One day we did a popular route up the eastern coast toward the far northern reaches of the island, returning on the other side of that peninsula. Another day we headed south and east, visiting the Talisker distillery and, among other things, heading out to the remote village of Elgol on the southwestern coast.
“Hairy Coo Calf” — A young “hairy coo,” the Scotthish Highlands cattle.
Yes, more cute “coo.” I know, not my usual subject. But these “hairy coos” are a big deal in Scotland, and they really are striking and marvelous creatures — especially if you come across one or more in a pasture on a foggy or rainy day. It is hard to imagine many other things that feel more like the Scottish highlands.
“A young Scottish “Back-Scratching Hairy Coo Calf” — highlands “hairy coo” uses its horn to scratch its back.
Like the brochures say, no visit to Scotland is complete without seeing the hairy highland “coos.” While coos (or, in American English, “cows”) are not my usual subject, the critters were there and I had a camera, so I made some photographs. In this case, a small herd was right next to the road north of Portree, so we paused on our daylong route out and around the end of the island to view them.
“Looking Toward Skye” — View over a mountain loch toward the Isle of Skye, seen from the road to Applecross Pass.
While Scotland’s Isle of Skye is, for good reason, a very popular place to visit, you can also find great views of the Isle and its mountains from along Scotland’s less-populated western coast. After our visit to Skye we headed north to Ullapool, and from there drove a long loop out to the village of Applecross. Before turning south toward that spot the route hugged the coastline, offering continuous views across the water to islands including Skye.
