Pat Trotter

Still on the beaten path with a group tour but it is well done and the trip to Orkney today was amazing.  The north coast of Scotland is very different from the Highlands which we passed through when we left Inverness.  Much more barren.  The ferry went from Scrabster to

Today was the day I went back on the beaten path and joined a tour going to Orkney and the North Coast.  As much as I enjoy Edinburgh I was in a serious melancholy mood having left the Highlands. Today it was back into the Highlands and my spirits immediately

It was an absolutely gorgeous, sunny day in Edinburgh today and great for exploring.  My first stop was a terrific bookstore where I found two more books for research for my book on the Lord of the Isles.  Passed some kids on the bridge by Waverly Station playing music to

Today was the last day in the Western Isles and I was very sad to leave that area. It is a magical place and I will return in October o continue on the book project.  We took a leisurely day to drive back to Edinburgh and stopped at Inverlochy Castle

Another look at the old churchyard today in Arisaig. Difficult to make out the design even with a guidebook to help out.  But then, things should be faded after 900 years no? Took a lovely walk through the gardens of Laroch Mor where there were rhododendrons in bloom everywhere. It

Ferried on to Skye early this morning to go trek around Dunscaith Castle and visit the Macdonald Museum.   The more accurate name for the castle is Dun Sgathaich, the Dun of the Shadow and was the original Macdonald seat in Skye. Legend has it that the castle was built

A bit of adventure this morning before heading to Mallaig.  Tom hired a boat for us to putter out to Eilean Finnan, an island in Loch Shiel which has been the burial place for Clanranald for centuries. This island is another magical place that lends itself to a feeling that