Third Day of the Workshop
No critiques today. We had a special day planned, heading off to Elgol, a tiny hamlet on the western coast, for a Misty Isles boat ride across the bay to Loch Coruisk, nestled in the more inaccessible side of the Cuillins, one of the signature Isle of Skye mountain groups. There are two sets of Cuillins, the Black and the Red. The Black Cuillins are very craggy and steep; the Red Cuillins, round topped and much gentler in their presentation. Combined, they are spectacular, making their own weather, so while it may be sunny on the bay, the clouds drift over and caress the peaks, and sheets of rain can be seen dodging in and out.
We boarded the open boat, some people wearing sea bracelets to avoid any sea sickness, and apparently, it worked. It was a calm crossing, and we stopped to see some seals basking on rocks. I was looking forward to seeing them again, and they slithered in and out of the bay, one lay on her/his side flapping one flipper.
We had stopped for provisions at the local co-op, and our group found places to picnic, enjoying the views.
I took a small group up the hillside to get a good view up Loch Coruisk. Because of the unusually heavy rains, the lake outlet was quite full, but we made our way across rocks, being careful not to slip. At one point, three of us just crossed the last section through the water. There was a pebble bottom there, and it wasn’t slippery.
Eventually, there were only two of us, and I demonstrated how to do a panorama. I have not had a chance to process any of mine during this trip, but our participant was really heppy.
On the return trip, we stopped to admire the seals again, and I photographed the white, white houses against the dark hillside. I always love the way these houses cling to the steep inclines.
On our last trip here, some of the ladies, when asking about the West Highland cattle was told by way of explanation, “Well, thay’re HAY-rreee cews, and thay’re DAY-rreee cews, and them’s the HAY-rreee cews.”
With the thick Scottish accent of the host, the ladies could not understand what he was saying, and eventually, when I heard the story, I burst out laughing and translated for them, “Well, there’re hairy cows, and there’re dairy cows, and those’re the hairy cows.”
I fell in love with the hairy cows when I was a child, and my half English/Scottish dad brought back a toy West Highland cow, complete with the horns and signature bangs.
Our group had already heard me tell the story, so on the return trip, when there were HAY-rreee cews in the road and we had to stop anyway, everyone got out to photograph them.
It was a good day, and everyone was so glad they had made the decision to take the boat ride and head across to the Cuillins.
Next: More from the Isle of Skye
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What a wonderful recounting of your adventures in Scotland! What fun times and it looks like the weather was cooperating with beautiful light for fantastic images. I like the HAY-rreee cews, too 🙂
Sandra,
So glad you are enjoying this blog series. The weather has been lovely, but we have really needed less in the way of sun and blue skies! You know how we are. Still, everyone has been getting some marvelous photographs.
Like that you like the HAY-rreee cews, too!
Take care,
TBC