Scotland

Best enlarged The Quiraing (in Gaelic: A' Chuith-Raing) is a landslip on the eastern face of Meall na Suiramach, the northernmost summit of the Trotternish on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. The whole of the Trotternish Ridge escarpment was formed by a great series of landslips; the Quiraing is the only part of the slip still moving, the road at its base, near Flodigarry, requires repairs each year. The name Quiraing comes from Old Norse 'Kví Rand', which means "Round Fold". The Kilmartin River (foreground) runs northwards through the village. From where it reaches the sea a rocky shore leads east to a slipway at An Corran. Here a local resident found a slab bearing a dinosaur track, probably made by a small ornithopod. Experts subsequently found more dinosaur prints of up to 50 cm, the largest found in Scotland, made by a creature similar to Megalosaurus. At about 160 million years old they are the youngest dinosaur remains to be found in Scotland.

The maze of grassy hummocks and domes (some of which can be seen here) providing the backdrop to Staffin Bay are part of the Quiraing, the largest landslide in Britain. 2km wide, the Quiraing stretches all the way from the escarpment down to the sea and covers a total area of 8.5 sq km, but it’s actually part of a much bigger series of ancient landslides all along the Trotternish ridge. The name Quiraing comes from Old Norse 'Kví Rand', which means "Round Fold". Within the fold is The Table, an elevated plateau hidden among the pillars. It is said that the fold was used to conceal cattle from Viking raiders. Staffin (Scottish Gaelic: Stafain) is a district with the Gaelic name An Taobh Sear, which translates as 'the East Side', on the northeast coast of the Trotternish peninsula of the island of Skye. It is located on the A855 road about 17 miles (27 km) north of Portree and is overlooked by the Trotternish Ridge with the famous rock formations of The Storr and the Quirang. The district comprises 23 townships made up of, from south to north, Rigg, Tote, Lealt, Lonfearn, Grealin, Breackry, Cul-nan-cnoc, Bhaltos, Raiseburgh, Ellishader, Garafad, Clachan, Garros, Marrishader, Maligar, Stenscholl, Brogaig, Sartle, Glasphein, Digg, Dunan, Flodigarry and Greap.

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Sandwiched between Lochs Nevis and Hourn, Knoydart is one of the most dramatic and unspoilt places in Scotland. Some of the finest scenery in Scotland can be found around Knoydart. Labelled as ‘Scotland’s last wilderness’, Knoydart is only accessible by boat from Mallaig or Glenelg, or by a 16 mile long walk (approximately two day’s hike) over the mountains where Bonnie Prince Charlie is supposed to have taken refuge after Culloden (battle of).

Plus two PiP's The Caledonian MacBrayne ferry MV Lord of the Isles (Righ nan Eilan in Gaelic) departs Armadale, Isle of Skye bound for Mallaig . Although the ferry is in fact leaving Skye, I thought the music fairly appropriate;-) Music by Katy Adelson - (Skye Boat Song) on fiddle www.youtube.com/watch?v=NAcHJZdydQM

Best enlarged The Skye Bridge (Scottish Gaelic: Drochaid an Eilein Sgitheanaich) is a road bridge over Loch Alsh, Scotland, connecting the Isle of Skye to the island of Eilean Bàn. The name is also used for the whole Skye Crossing, which further connects Eilean Bàn to the mainland across the Carrich Viaduct. The crossing forms part of the A87. Traditionally, the usual route from the mainland to Skye was the shortest crossing, with a length of around 500 metres (1,640 ft), across the sound between the villages of Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland and Kyleakin on the island's east coast. A ferry service operated from around 1600, run by private operators and latterly by Caledonian MacBrayne. On completion of the bridge in 1995 the ferry service was discontinued. Eilean Bàn (Scottish Gaelic meaning White Island) is a six acre island that was home to John Lister-Kaye, who wrote his book The White Island about his time there, working for Gavin Maxwell. In 2001 the island had a population of two as recorded by the census but in 2011 there were no "usual residents" living there. Kyleakin Lighthouse is situated at the south-western end of Eilean Bàn. It was built by David and Thomas Stevenson in 1857, and is linked to a pair of keepers' houses. The lighthouse was automated and converted to use acetylene gas in 1960. Following the start of construction of the Skye Bridge, the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1993.

Best enlarged Kyleakin (/kaɪlˈɑːkɪn/; Scottish Gaelic: Caol Àcain) is a village situated on the east coast of the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. The village is along the strait of Kyle Akin opposite the northwest Scottish mainland town of Kyle of Lochalsh.Its name derives from 'Strait of Haakon' named after the King Haakon IV of Norway whose fleet moored there prior to the Battle of Largs in 1263 which ended Norwegian rule of the island. The village of Kyleakin is also the site of Castle Moil, an ruined fortress built in the late 15th century. Legend states that there were much older fortifications on the site, and that it was originally built for a Norwegian princess known as 'Saucy Mary' who would charge a toll to any boat using the narrow channel by hanging a chain from the castle to the mainland to prevent unpaid crossings. Her remains are said to be buried on the top of Beinn na Caillich (Gaelic for "mountain of the old woman"), the large mountain to the rear of the castle ruins. However, some local historians contest this and claim that she was laid to rest by another mountain of the same name a few miles west in the village of Broadford, so that she may forever face the land of her birth.

Kyleakin (/kaɪlˈɑːkɪn/; Scottish Gaelic: Caol Àcain) is a village situated on the east coast of the Isle of Skye in the Inner Hebrides, Scotland. The village is along the strait of Kyle Akin opposite the northwest Scottish mainland town of Kyle of Lochalsh.Its name derives from 'Strait of Haakon' named after the King Haakon IV of Norway whose fleet moored there prior to the Battle of Largs in 1263 which ended Norwegian rule of the island. The village of Kyleakin is also the site of Castle Moil, an ruined fortress built in the late 15th century. Legend states that there were much older fortifications on the site, and that it was originally built for a Norwegian princess known as 'Saucy Mary' who would charge a toll to any boat using the narrow channel by hanging a chain from the castle to the mainland to prevent unpaid crossings. Her remains are said to be buried on the top of Beinn na Caillich (Gaelic for "mountain of the old woman"), the large mountain to the rear of the castle ruins. However, some local historians contest this and claim that she was laid to rest by another mountain of the same name a few miles west in the village of Broadford, so that she may forever face the land of her birth.

Music - The Dark Island by Jenny Masterson - Harp www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_k01qnRyUw The Inner Sound is a strait separating the Inner Hebridean islands of Skye, Raasay and South Rona from the Applecross peninsula on the Scottish mainland. The Sound is approximately 30 km long and up to 10 km wide. The Inner Sound includes the deepest section of the UK's territorial waters, with a maximum depth of 1,062 feet. An area, over 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and up to 0.25 miles (0.40 km) wide, exists below a depth of 960 feet (290 m), with a relatively flat bottom. There is another cleft 828 feet (252 m) deep, separated from the deeper bowl by an area of shallower water. A dive to examine the deeper trench found the bottom to be made up of bioturbated mud, with a steep slope towards the west of up to 60°. Its Gaelic name, An Lighe Rathairseach, should not be confused with An Linne Rathairseach (the Sound of Raasay), its western neighbour. Together, they can be considered as southeastern arms of the Little Minch. The Inner Sound is the location of BUTEC, a Royal Navy submarine sensor and emissions range. Island of Scalpay Scalpay (Scottish Gaelic: Sgalpaigh) is an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Separated from the east coast of Skye by Loch na Cairidh, Scalpay rises to 396 metres (1,299 ft) at Mullach na Càrn. It has an area of just under 25 square kilometres (9.7 sq mi). The island had a population of ten usual residents in 2001 and of four in 2011. Scalpay is privately owned and operates a red deer farm, shooting estate and holiday cottages. Much of Scalpay is covered with heather, while other areas are conifer forestry plantations. Mac an Tàilleir (2003) suggests the name derives from "ship island" from the Norse. However, Haswell-Smith states that the Old Norse name was Skalprøy, meaning "scallop island". Island of Longay Covering an area of 50 ha (124 acres), the island of Longay is situated to the east of Scalpay, north of Pabay and in the Inner Sound, between the mainland and the Isle of Skye. Associated with pirates in the 16th Century, who plundered many of the ships traversing the Inner Sound, the island was once heavily forested, though now it is used for sheep pasture. It is uninhabited apart from countless seabirds. The name Longay means 'longship island'.

Best enlarged The mainland of Scotland over the Inner Sound from the Isle of Skye

Viewed from the Dunvagen to Sligachan Road (A863) Isle of Skye, on a day of sunshine and showers.

Best enlarged The Skye Bridge (Scottish Gaelic: Drochaid an Eilein Sgitheanaich) is a road bridge over Loch Alsh, Scotland, connecting the Isle of Skye to the island of Eilean Bàn. The name is also used for the whole Skye Crossing, which further connects Eilean Bàn to the mainland across the Carrich Viaduct. The crossing forms part of the A87. Traditionally, the usual route from the mainland to Skye was the shortest crossing, with a length of around 500 metres (1,640 ft), across the sound between the villages of Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland and Kyleakin on the island's east coast. A ferry service operated from around 1600, run by private operators and latterly by Caledonian MacBrayne. On completion of the bridge in 1995 the ferry service was discontinued. Eilean Bàn (Scottish Gaelic meaning White Island) is a six acre island that was home to John Lister-Kaye, who wrote his book The White Island about his time there, working for Gavin Maxwell. In 2001 the island had a population of two as recorded by the census but in 2011 there were no "usual residents" living there. Kyleakin Lighthouse is situated at the south-western end of Eilean Bàn. It was built by David and Thomas Stevenson in 1857, and is linked to a pair of keepers' houses. The lighthouse was automated and converted to use acetylene gas in 1960. Following the start of construction of the Skye Bridge, the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1993.

The PiP was taken the following day, by which time the weather had improved ;-)) The Skye Bridge (Scottish Gaelic: Drochaid an Eilein Sgitheanaich) is a road bridge over Loch Alsh, Scotland, connecting the Isle of Skye to the island of Eilean Bàn. The name is also used for the whole Skye Crossing, which further connects Eilean Bàn to the mainland across the Carrich Viaduct. The crossing forms part of the A87. Traditionally, the usual route from the mainland to Skye was the shortest crossing, with a length of around 500 metres (1,640 ft), across the sound between the villages of Kyle of Lochalsh on the mainland and Kyleakin on the island's east coast. A ferry service operated from around 1600, run by private operators and latterly by Caledonian MacBrayne. On completion of the bridge in 1995 the ferry service was discontinued. Eilean Bàn (Scottish Gaelic meaning White Island) is a six acre island that was home to John Lister-Kaye, who wrote his book The White Island about his time there, working for Gavin Maxwell. In 2001 the island had a population of two as recorded by the census but in 2011 there were no "usual residents" living there. Kyleakin Lighthouse is situated at the south-western end of Eilean Bàn. It was built by David and Thomas Stevenson in 1857, and is linked to a pair of keepers' houses. The lighthouse was automated and converted to use acetylene gas in 1960. Following the start of construction of the Skye Bridge, the lighthouse was decommissioned in 1993.

Plus 2 x PiPs The view from the southeast towards the Red Cuillin mountains including Glamaig with its two summits; Sgurr Mhairi (775m) on the left and An Coiliech (389m) on the right. Taken from the shore of Caolas Scalpay with the island of Scalpay on the right.

Best enlarged Scalpay (Scottish Gaelic: Sgalpaigh) is an island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. Separated from the east coast of Skye by Loch na Cairidh, Scalpay rises to 396 metres (1,299 ft) at Mullach na Càrn. It has an area of just under 25 square kilometres (9.7 sq mi). The island had a population of ten usual residents in 2001 and of four in 2011. Scalpay is privately owned and operates a red deer farm, shooting estate and holiday cottages. Much of Scalpay is covered with heather, while other areas are conifer forestry plantations. Mac an Tàilleir (2003) suggests the name derives from "ship island" from the Norse. However, Haswell-Smith states that the Old Norse name was Skalprøy, meaning "scallop island". Dean Monro gave the following description of Scalpay in 1549: ...a fair hunting forest, full of deer, with certain little woods and small towns, well inhabited and manured, with many strong coves, good for fishing, in heritage it pertains to Maclean of Duart. By the time of Dr Johnson's tour (1773), the island was held by a tenant of Sir Alexander Macdonald. Shipping magnate and politician, Donald Currie owned the island in the late 19th century and was responsible for the construction of the first roads and much tree planting.