Inverewe Gardens
The “narrows” of Lochalsh were left behind when we departed this morning. Kyle of Lochalsh was sleeping on this Sunday morning, but we took the roads north on an excursion to the famous gardens of Inverewe. Formed from a barren hillside, starting in 1862, Osgood McKenzie (at twenty years old) started to build an incredible Garden of Eden made up of plants from all over the world. Connections and acquaintances from far-away places sent seeds that have since blossomed into impressive trees and shrubs, such as the Olearia group from New Zealand. The Inverewe collection is world-renowned at this point.
However not just plant life captured our attention. A bird-blind on the shores offers a protected place to sit and balance elbows for steady searches through the windows for shorebirds and waterfowl. Greylag geese, Slavonian grebe, grey herons, oystercatchers, curlews and hooded crows were just a few that caught our eyes.
On our return along the narrow roads of the western highlands, we got an unexpected extra-special treat: as we were waiting to allow a car to pass, in a field to our left, a farmer with her two sheepdogs was herding a group of eight or so black-faced sheep – and with what precision! This way and that, the sheep were guided and kept under control the entire time! It was a delight to see them work together.
Some of us chose to spend the morning in visits closer to Kyle, and spent time at the delightful seaside town of Plockton where the planned cottages all face the single-lane main street along the shoreline – and on the sea-side, each and every one has a beautifully maintained garden, handkerchief-sized, with space enough for a bench or chair for when the owner choses to relax, surrounded by their botanical handiwork. This visit was followed by an opportunity to get inside Eilean Donan Castle, which claims to be the most photographed castle in Britain. Errol Flynn and James Bond have all spent time here, the long stonework arched bridge being one-of-a-kind which allows unforgettable arrivals and departures.
Late afternoon had us sailing away from Kyle and slipping down the Sound of Sleat on our way to Inverie for a visit to the “most remote pub in Great Britain.” Ironically, for being a place not connected to the roadways of the rest of Britain, it was well-attended by hikers, sailors and others in the area that had searched out this unusual pub for a drink before bed!
