Isles of Wonder

73 comments

Spring begins to bubble as I walk along by the falls of the Clyde on the way up to Ardnamurchan; glimpses of new leaves, splashes of wild flowers colour the banks and meadows.

For those of you who like music with the pictures ~ this Enya song ‘Watermark’ seems to work ~ each shining splash of raindrop and ray of sun like crystals in the light, bouncing rainbows across the sky:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO5tb20qQnA

Marsh marigold lights the way along this unexpected but lovely walk alongside the Clyde in New Lanark:

Sparkling pink flowers brighten the paths:

Beech leaves about to open, splashed from the waterfall:

Arriving in Ardnamurchan and the sounds of spring fill the air, lambs bleat, the cuckoo calls and the stream chuckles its way to the loch:

Even on cloudy days the light intrigues me, this is at the bottom of the garden where we stayed:

Driving along the almost empty roads in the golden hour, turning a corner to see these majestic creatures:

From magnificent deer to the tiny toadstool in the rain soaked grass…….everything seemed so clear, so unspoilt:

Cherry blossom lined the 3 ponds that had been dug in the garden, using water diverted from the stream ~ wish I could go back in the autumn to see [and taste] the cherries!!

The weather was similar to April ~ showers and then sun but by the look of the moss they have their fair share of rain ~ luckily not in the week we were there:

A land of rainbows ~ there must have been at least 4 in the week we were there:

Just one of the highlights of this beautiful area was the pine marten who visited every night to have a picnic of peanuts! On this occasion there were two!

Walking along the road, dotted with primroses and bluebells, wild garlic grew by the streams:

And purple vetch:

Weather watching became a fascination ~ one minute rain and the landscape turns blue:

Six minutes later and we have blue sky:

The biggest traffic hazard here in Arnamurchan is the sheep ~ this one was quite shy!

As the sun began to shine so the leaves started to open, with their dazzling brightness:

Each night as dusk fell so the pine marten would return, he seemed not to mind even when I opened the window to see him better, it was just fabulous watching him so close! Not sure if he dropped this peanut when I clicked the camera!

Ardnamurchan is only a short ferry crossing to Mull ~ the Hebriddean islands are known for the windy conditions!

Across Mull and onto Iona ~ where I wish I could have stayed forever ~ another isle of wonder!

How is this for free range ~ wandering wherever they please all over the island it seemed! [scrambled egg the next morning was the brightest yellow I ever saw!]

And crab cakes freshly caught that morning! [the crab not the cakes!]

Iona, famous for its Abbey also has the ruins of the Nunnery ~ now populated by dandelions!

The lovely arches inside the Abbey

Just a few yards from the abbey is the very healthy looking herb garden ~ with seemingly no protection growing on a small island in the Atlantic!

Meadows full of flowers make me smile:

The north shore of Iona, looking towards Staffa

Meet Willow the sheep ~ found wandering in the hotel gardens:

And growing in the shelter of a sunny porch in the hotel entrance was a window box full of camomile:

Amongst dappled light honesty and bluebells grow, honesty seems appropriate on an island that never needs to lock the doors!

Its very hard to leave this beautiful, peaceful island with its blue sky and sea to match!

Back to Ardnamurchan and silky golden pussy willow makes a bright splash amongst the green:

Tiny violets with their delicate scent smile from the woodland edge:

Going as far west as possibly on mainland Britain and you come to Ardnamurchan lighthouse ~ I dont think the sky is always blue here!

Clear seas and tiny rock pools surround Ardnamurchan point……..like an underwater garden:

On the north coast is Sanna beach, where the cuckoo competes with the oyster catcher to call the loudest ~ no one else was on the beach ~ beautiful in its golden light and only the sound of the waves and the birds:

The fresh greens in the rock pools look good enough to eat!

And stars like these shine from under the water:

Pink thrift may be tough but its also delicately pretty, softening the rocks of the beach:

Alongside Loch Sunart the trees begin their spring green display ~ getting brighter every day as the sun [finally] begins to warm the land:

How I wish I could stay in this beautiful, unspoilt land of flowers, birds, animals and trees, listening to the stream bubbling, the cuckoo calling and the lambs playing in the field.

27 May, 2013
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Comments

Sewingkilla

What a lovely blog! I enjoyed that very much, beautiful photos :)

27 May, 2013

Lizziebee

What a lovely blog, you really gave us the feel of this lovely area, can nearly hear the birds and take in the scents of spring.

27 May, 2013

Katarina

Jeej, Sticki, this was like land from the Lord of the Rings. I expected that Frolo will appear under that toadstool. That marten looks like it was born with the silver spoon in the mouth. It evidently knows the rules of correct dining.
I think these isles are your favourite ones.

27 May, 2013

Lijemc

It all looks beautiful. I've never been there, but I really want to go now ~ what an amazing place!

27 May, 2013

Louisa15

Great blog, I really enjoyed that. I've been to Mull and Iona several years ago and it brought back happy memories.

27 May, 2013

Sanbaz

lovely blog stickie with so much to see, wildlife and views, all amazing, especially love seeing the animals :o))

27 May, 2013

Cinderella

Wonderful blog. How I would have loved to be there Sticki, and your descriptions made it so real, what a lovely place. Thank you for sharing your holiday photos.

27 May, 2013

Kasy

Thank you for sharing - must go and visit one day.

27 May, 2013

Franl155

oh, I envy you! such beautiful surroundings, hope you had a great time - well, pretty sure yoiu did from these lovely pics.

27 May, 2013

Tubbyhippo

Really enjoyed the Blog, great photo's :-))

27 May, 2013

Isles of Wonder

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