Dunvegan Castle is built on a rocky outcrop which was once entirely encircled by the sea. It has commanding views down the Loch and is the oldest continuously inhabited castle in Scotland. The castle has been the ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod for over 800 years.
There are no photos allowed in the castle but it has many fine paintings and clan treasures. One of the most famous being the Fairy Flag which according to legend states that when unfurled in battle the clan MacLeod would invariably defeat their enemies. The flag is said to have originated as a gift from the fairies to an infant chieftain; a gift to a chief from a departing fairy-lover; a reward for defeating an evil spirit. Clan chieftains and fairies! - what a strange and curious juxtaposition?
In contrast to the austere appearance of the castle the gardens were overflowing with intense colours and a huge variety of flowers both rare and exotic. This is due to the warmth from the Gulf Stream running down the western side of Scotland and the purity of the air and water.
lilium Pardalinum - Tiger Lily
We have several different Turk's cap lilies in our garden, pink, orange, yellow and white. If I can locate a Pardalinum bulb then this beauty will be joining them
Portree is the largest town on Skye - the pretty harbour has a pier designed by Thomas Telford. The Royal Hotel is the site of MacNab's Inn which was the last meeting place of Flora MacDonald and Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746.
Flora by Allan Ramsay
This portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie was discovered in the last few months and is also by Allan Ramsay
The Cullins
Road to the Isles
The far Cuillins are pullin' me away
As take I wi' my cromack to the road.
The far Cullins are puttin' love on me
As step I wi' the sunlight for my load.
A cromack is a shepherd's crook or stick
A final backward glance at the Cuillins and then
onwards to catch the ferry from Skye to the outer Western Isles of North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist, and Eriskay
