Scotland




Starting our hike into rainy Glen Affric - one of the few places in Scotland where native Caledonian pine forests persist.  This overnight hike took us from the eastern Highlands to Scotland's west coast.




The latter part of this hike brought us down into Glen Licht, where we saw these falls and ferns.




As we descended, red deer gave way to reddish highland cows (note the shaggy locks).




From there we took an arduous detour (without packs) up to the Kintail Ridge.  Once we got there, an air force jet buzzed by - at about the same altitude as where we stood.




We climbed a few of the "Five Sisters of Kintail".  The highest peaks brought us up to the clouds.




It was tough going, but we couldn't complain about the views. 




While returning to Glen Licht by way of a trailless ridge, we suprised a herd of red deer, which mingled with sheep as they fled the area. 




Taking it easy the next day, we limited ourselves to a five mile walk to the nearest grocery store, and then a several mile hike to the Falls of Glomach.




Our next stop was the Trotternish peninsula of the Isle of Skye.  This is the northern tip of the island, where we saw about a dozen whales swim past the point.




We could have descended along the cliffs to the headland, but the whalewatching was good from up high.




Hiking from our hostel at Flodigarry...




...to the Quirang, an area of unique rock formations.




Even up there, sheep kept the vegetation mowed...




...and some of them were game for a little hide-and-seek.




View from higher sections of the Trotternish ridge.




From Skye we took a ferry to Mallaig, where we overnighted before taking a scenic train to Glasgow the next day. 




Our visit to Glasgow coincided with a typically stellar performance by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists at King Tut's Wah Wah Hut.




Then it was back to St. Andrew's to visit Amanda's freind from college and her husband.  Here's part of the classic golf course, along with a classic VW van.




Looking back at St. Andrew's from along the beach.  Some lucky dogs got to come down and swim, but it was too cold for all but the most enthuiastic small kids.




The ruins of St. Andrew's cathedral. 




We took a boat trip to the Isle of May, where countless birds raise their little ones.  Here's an arctic tern coming home to feed its chick.




The terns ferociously dive-bombed anyone walking along the path from the docks.  Sticks were provided to hold above one's head (they attack the highest point).




Razorbills in a curious pose.




Yes, I really got a close-up picture of a puffin with fish hanging out of its mouth...




Actually, I got pictures of three different puffins with fish hanging out of their mouths, but here I'm only showing two.  With >100,000 puffins on the island, I guess a few are bound to be doing something cute.




A brief shower was followed by this rainbow.




On our way back from the island, I spotted this mottled seal watching our boat.




Amanda, Elissa, and Lester on the boat back from the island.




In Edinburgh, the day we flew home - this is the monument to the writer Walter Scott. 




Amanda stands in front of the new Scottish parliament building.  Behind it to the left, part of the ancient volcanic cone of "Arthur's Seat" is visible.