Manky Monkey Motors

If your looking for peace and quite, a place to get away from it all, then A Ghaidhealtachd is for you.
A Ghaidhealtachd is Scottish Gaelic, translated it means `the place where Gaelic is spoken`, and refers predominantly to the North West region of Scotland and beyond to the Outer Hebrides and Orkney islands.
The area is dominated by several mountain ranges seperated by sprawling glens and is one of the most sparsly populated areas in europe thanks to several factors including outlawing the traditional highland way of life after the Jacobite rising in 1745, and the Highland Clearances.
Although several other areas come close, i look upon the Highlands as the last true `wilderness` within the British isles, a place where, if you look hard enough, you will still see traditional British wildlife, and a place that i think, could and should see a return of some species that no longer inhabit our countryside.
Now, i could wax on lyricaly, but no amount of my ramblings or photoghraphs could do justice to the total tranquility you feel, or the awe inspireing beauty of the scenery, so what follows is a very small taste of what you can find in A Ghaidhealtachd.

The border to Scotland is 250 miles from my house, and the highlands are around the same distance from the border, so we travelled a total of 547 miles to a very small place called Embro , on the North East coast, above Inverness.
On the way up, we glimpsed some of the scenery that lay in store for us.

This is Carr Bridge, known as The Old Packhorse Bridge at Lynne of Dalrachney.
The bridge was badly damaged in the 18th century and again during the famous flood of August 1829 causing it to now look like this.

Moy Viaduct is the last remaining timber viaduct on Scotlands mainland railways and is a Grade A listed historical structure.

This is Dunrobin Castle, home to the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland for over 700 years, and is the factual and spiritual home of Clan Sutherland. (I can think of at least 2 famous people that would have ancestral links to the castle).
Sadly it was closed when we visited, most `attractions` tend to use easter as the start of the season, so, very few open before then.

A glimpse of the wildlife. Scotland is home to both Common and Grey seal populations, ( as well as pods of dolphins, at the right time of year), despite the name, Common seals are not, so these were probably Grey`s.
Happily sunning themselves on a sandbank in a small inlet off the North Sea.

Neil Gunn was a Scottish novellist/poet born in the small fishing village of Dunbeath.
This statue, Kenn and the Salmon is situated at the harbour in Dunbeath, and has been placed there in his memory.

Dunnet Head, the most northerly point in mainland Britain.

Flagstones were quarried at Castlehill, Flagstones are actualy sandstone, the name Flagstone comes from the way the Sandstone is easily split into thin slices or `flags`, which itself is derived from the Norse word `flaga` meaning flag.
You can follow the `flagstone trail` at Castlehill, and although as an `attraction` it could be better, its well worth a visit if your in the area.

This Stag was huge, we came accross him in a small clearing in a forest, the trouble with wildlife is that they dont readily pose for pictures, so it was a question of grabbing whatever shot i could.
I know what your thinking, theres a fence, he`s takin that at the zoo!
No i havent, you`ll see these fences running the length of quite a few of the highland roads, they are used to `control` the deer, to keep them off roads or out of areas where re planting has been carried out.

This was bloody good!
Ok the picture itself isn`t, its what the camera didnt capture that is!
We were tootling along through one of the many glens when i spotted this herd of deer, quite a large herd of around 20 animals.
I`d taken a couple of distance shoots and had just zoomed in to take this, as i did so, the deer spooked and turned then trotted away. Just to the right, out of shot is a BLOODY HUGE eagle, on the ground and preparing to take off.
I didnt see it at first, Mrs T did though, a beating of enormous outstreatched wings then slowly a forward motion as he took to the air.
A beautifull sight and one of many times that i wished i had a better camera!

A Heilan Coo  ;D

Some lovely shots there TB. Told you you like it up there didn't we. I've visited the Highlands 5 times now I think, always going in early October, when the tourists & infamous midges have gone, but the weather's still good. I've sat on stunning, utterly deserted sandy beaches in T shirts in October up there.
It really is a completely different country isn't it. Nothing like the rest of Britain. Wildly, ruggedly beautiful.
Must go again soon.

This sign is at the foot of the Bealach na Ba or Pass of the cattle.
The Bealach na Ba rises to 2053ft above sea level in about five miles, and is the most spectacular pass in Scotland. It also provides some of the most challenging driving in the country. It is single track throughout and the warning signs at its foot, including one (which is unique in Scotland) deterring learner drivers, should be taken seriously. Another warns that the road is often closed in winter conditions.
I have to admit.....i was scared.
Seriously, i did not like start of the drive down one little bit. Going up was fine, reached the top and saw the sights, then saw the sheer drop off the side of the road down.

This was our 2nd visit, the first was around 6 years ago, had beautiful sunshine all week while it snowed at home  ;D.
Like yourself, i prefer to holiday `out of season`, although this does sometimes mean missing out on some `attractions`, but we dont mind.

A little light for the best picture of these, at night its all lit up and very nice. What is it? Its oil rig platforms, thats what. Either de- comissioned or freshly refurbished in the service yard thats sited on the banks of the Morray Firth. There were aroune half a dozen sitting there when we visited.

very nice pics TB .Carr bridge bit thin know... i think it impossible to get a (Carr over that bridge know thou)  ;D ;D

gaz

As you may have gathered, we dont stay in one place but try and see as much as we can, i covered over a thousand road miles up and down those mountains, taking any road that took our fancy, though there aren`t that many to choose from. And for every mile i have a picture, but i`ll save you from those (i know what its like being forced to see other ppls holiday snaps  ;D).
I had intended seeing the Orkney`s but missed the ferry by ten mins, ah well that gives us an excuse to return one day.....as if we need one.

my mate lives in the Highlands, used to live in Achnasheen but has since moved to Fortrose but still owns the cafe/shop in Achnasheen. he is well into his bikes  :D :D :D

The scenery is really beautiful.  I found it quite haunting as well - such vast landscapes.  I stayed at Drumnadrochit by Loch Ness the week before Christmas about 7 or 8 years ago. I rented a beautiful house right overlooking the loch.  No I didn't see Nessie even though that was my hope.  We had loads of deer in the garden though.  We had a lovely time even though there was snow on the ground and getting up the steep hill to the house was a bit treacherous.  I would love to do it again.  Thanks for sharing the photos.

JJ  :)

I've stayed at Drumnadrochit too. In a beautifu B & B, converted from the old church.
Hope to go back to the hills, maybe even later this year. I like to go in October. The colours are amazing & the mountains, lochs & waterfalls are truly breath-taking.   

greetings from the stunning Isle of Skye :)

Hi Jonno, you moved on from the "wheel nuts" site now?  ;D

Welcome Jonno.  ;)

Heyyyy phunkie!!  didnt know you were on here! :)     nope havent moved on, just joining other boards. :)  the "nuts" site has gone quiet recently. itll pick back up again in the summer.  how r u doing?

~Jonno

Welcome on board
love your part of the world cant wait to get back up there