Project journals

Pat Trotter

Footsteps Day 11

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

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Footsteps Day 10

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

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Footsteps Day 9

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

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Footsteps Day 7

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

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Footsteps Day 6

The slab hunters were off again this morning to view one of the best collections of medieval grave slabs we have seen on the trip at Keil Church near Lochaline. The intricacies of the carvings are fascinating and sadly some of the slabs were re-purposed by the Victorians who carved

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Footsteps Day 5

This was a purely magical day beginning with the ferry from Mull to Ardnamurchan.  The crossing was magnificent with dramatic clouds over the mountains on the islands.  First stop was Mingary Castle for a cup of coffee and a quick look around.  This is a completely restored castle that is

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Footsteps Day 4

Tobermory was built as a fishing port in the late 18th century and is now the main town on Mull. It is a picture-postcard of a place with the brightly painted buildings along the main street to the pier and the high woodland-fringed hills surrounding the bay. Of significance to

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