In Scottish Ramble #7, daughter Alyssa was exploring the Highlands on her break from classes at the University of Glasgow, in Scotland. More recently, having finished her post-graduate work in Museum Studies, Alyssa and a friend explored the Hebrides, an archipelago off the west coast of the mainland. The Inner and Outer Hebrides comprise a large group of islands, both inhabited and uninhabited, with a total population of about fifty-thousand. The human history of these islands stretches to an era predating the height of classic Greece.
Some of the place names encountered here include the islands of Mull, Iona and Staffa, Fingal’s Cave, and Tobermory village. The following pics are from Alyssa’s “Photo Journey to the Western Isles of Scotland.” We hope that you enjoy.
Mull Island castle
oystercatchers
Staffa
rock & channel
Fingal’s Cave, Staffa
the top layer of Staffa
it’s gonna be long distance
a young golden eagle
curious
Tobermory
Rivertop Rambles 
These are all great photos and a joy to see. From the photos I have seen on Google Earth this entire area looks great for exploration and solitude. I think it is the Lyle of Lewis that is super large and has these ancient stone monuments scattered all over. Also the photo of the castle on Mull Island came in handy tonight as I was planning his birthday party and told him it was where Harry Potter once lived. He was impressed.
Thanks Keith, I’d forgotten about the Harry Potter connection (sacrilege, eh?) but remember that Alyssa certainly knew about it. Glad that the castle photo made an impression on the birthday fella!
________________________________
You are right. I was able to spend some days in the Outer Hebrides (consisting of the Uists, Harris and Lewis, among many isles) and was able to view the wonderful natural and man-made wonders.
Lovely country indeed, would really like to visit some day
Fingal’s Cave looks like an inverted Giant’s Causeway. I wouldn’t doubt that they are geologically related, esp. given their proximity( NE Ireland, western Scotland).
It’s a strange formation, Bob; now I want to go for the comparison…
________________________________
Hi Bob,
They are of the same geology and the legend goes that Fionn (Fingal) the giant built Giant’s Causeway to battle the Scottish giant, Benandonner.
I know the feeling, Mark; thanks for commenting!
________________________________
Amazing. I love the old castles and I think I could live in Tobermory. The whole countryside is beautiful, though. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome, Jim. I’d say the land and seascape are unique, and comfortable looking.
________________________________
That’s a talented daughter you have there. Great photographs! I’ll have to catch the whole set soon.
Hey Junior, busy fellow, yes, yes, you’ll have to catch ’em.
________________________________
Great pictures. There is no place like Scotland. What aspect and/or field of museum studies is your daughter pursuing? I know some pretty active museum people in Scotland.
Thanks Kenov! All I know is that her Masters has a focus in artifacts. She’s coming home for a while, but I think she’d be pleased to know someone for the time when she plans to return.
________________________________