20121229

Visit Scotland, Caithness, Dunnet Beach

After the storms and rain of the last few days it was nice to get the dogs out for a walk at Dunnet Beach.  It was late afternoon before we arrived and the beach still had some adventurous people out with kids, dogs, surfing and horse riding on the beach.






 

 

20121030

Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse and Garden

Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse and Garden is a National Trust for Scotland property near Cupar in Fife. The property is well worth a visit and during the summer months outdoor events that in the past we have attended. There is also a 9-hole hickory club golf course, allowing visitors to enjoy the game of golf as it was played in Edwardian times. I have added 10 pictures of the house and garden to my photo gallery - Hill of Travit
 
You can learn more about the Hill of Tarvit on the National Trust for Scotland website. 

Glasgow Botanic Gardens

Glasgow Botanic Gardens
Many people will be aware of the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens yet the Glasgow Botanic Gardens, while not as large, is well worth a visit. I have just added pictures of Glasgow Botanic Gardens and of the Kibble Palace (when it nearly finished it restoration) on one of my photo galleries - Zeugma - Glasgow Botanic Gardens.


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20121011

Seals near John O'Groats - Highland Scotland

Seals near John O'Groats in Caithness, Sutherland
Went to take the dogs for a walk on a small beach just beyond John O'Groats in Caithness and was surprised and delighted to find that the beach had been taken over by lots of seals and their pups. I had to leave the dogs in the car while I photographed the seals and due to the magic of modern digital cameras and built in zooms on the lens I managed to get some reasonably close up pictures of the seals while also recording the seals enjoying themeselves on the digital camera's video. Below are a few of the pictures taken and when I get time I will upload more pictures onto a website.









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20121010

Loch Maree

Loch Maree is a beautiful location in the Scottish Highlands near Gairloch and Poolewe on the west coast of Scotland. The scenery is spectacular at all times of the year. I am currently updating one of my websites and have added a number of pictures of Loch Maree and Slioch (Munro) in the Highlands of Scotland.
Loch Maree


20120815

Beautiful Sunset over Scotland

Beautiful Sunset over Scotland
I was out sea angling on the Hebridean Warrior last Saturday evening and had a great 3 hrs fishing. On the way back in at sunset there was an opportunity to photograph the sea birds and the setting sun. I hope you enjoy the pictures and if you click on the images below you will see the original size that can be used as a desktop background is you like them.
The boat Hebridean Warrior operates out of Scrabster harbour and is available for sea angling trips off Caithness and Orkney.





20120719

Visit Scotland for Hidden Beaches

Scotland has many beautiful beaches and some are hidden from sight! I visited the beach near Dwarwick Pier today after parking the car and leaving my wife and two collies to twiddle their fingers (and paws) while I explored an area of Caithness that I had seen on Google Maps and noticed the path going over the hill at Dwarwick Pier in Dunnet Bay over the last 4 years.
I left the dogs in the car as I was not sure of the path and if it would be safe for them and as it turns out the walk to the beach would have been fine as long as I kept the dogs on their leads due to the cliff edges and 100 foot drops, however getting them down the rocky path to the beach may have been a bit more difficult, ok for younger dogs, not so good for 11 year old collies who still think they are 2 years old - but their bones tell them different!
Anyway the walk was great although it was windy at the top of the hill so I am glad I wore a jacket, the scramble down to the beach was ok as long as you take your time and are reasonably fit. Once you are down on the beach it is really nice, although some of the sea birds did let me know they were not too happy with me being there.
Below are a few pictures of the beach and the surrounding area along with a location map powered by Google Maps.
Dwarwick Pier in Caithness and Dunnet Bay
The walk is on s path over moorland

Secluded and Sandy Beach after a 10 minute walk





Stony rocks you need to walk over to get to the sandy beach


20120716

Sheep and Bees

In Caithness the weather has been variable over the last few months, not a great summer. Yet when I take the dogs for a walk there is always things to see and the pictures below were taken last week while walking the dogs along the Wick River.

Bee on a thistle flower

Plantago major common name Plantain

Snail

Vetch with a bee gathering pollen