Kildalton And Surrounds

We stopped at Kildalton to visit the magnificent, world renowned High Cross and Old Parish Church. The history here is overwhelming; the Cross dates from the mid 8th Century, while the Church has been traced to the 1300s. I spent some time shooting the surrounding area, which is bleak and windblown but offers up superb vistas. It's also home to many farms, with accompanying sheep - so many sheep!

Kildalton High Cross

Kildalton Plain

Parish Church, With Grave Slabs

Pastoral Landscape, With Sheep

All images copyright 2013, Kathy Neudorf

Home For The Holidays, Finlaggan

The lovely coastal village of Bowmore was home base during our stay on Islay. It was full of old world charm, with now familiar buildings, ocean and wind. A few things were foreign to my North American sensibilities, like turning off the power at electrical outlets and hanging out laundry to dry. Islay residents use their resources wisely. From Bowmore we traveled to Finlaggan, an important historical landmark dating from the 13th century. Notice all that blue sky? So much for the myth that Scotland is gray and gloomy. We had sunshine every day!

Bowmore Beach, Bruichladdich Across The Bay

Washing At Izzy's

Seaweed And Stones, Bowmore

Ruins at Eilean Mòr, Finlaggan, With The Famous Paps Of Jura

The Navigator And The Historian Walk Finlaggan Path

Onward To Islay

Most of our time was spent on Islay (pronounced Eye-la), a beautiful, untamed island in the Southern Hebrides. Visiting Islay is like turning back the clock; steeped in legend, its history spans many centuries. The countryside is wild and rugged, and the wind is a relentless companion. We began our Islay adventure with a walk through scenic Bridge End, followed by a drive on the Oa, where we were transfixed by twilight views of Carraig Fhada Lighthouse and the Old Church Cemetery at Kilnaughton Bay.

Dry Stone Wall, Bridge End

Pond, Bridge End

Old Church Cemetery, Kilnaughton Bay

Carraig Fhada Lighthouse, Kilnaughton Bay