The Gateway To Arran

When one door closes, another opens, and all too soon it was time to leave Islay for the island of Arran. Our journey took us to the Mull of Kintyre, tunefully immortalized by sometime resident Paul McCartney. Before boarding the ferry at remote, desolate Claonaig Quay, we happened upon an unexpected pleasure - the village of Skipness. Wild daffodils and rhododendrons were in abundance, and Skipness Castle, with its glorious wooded grounds, was magnificent. 

Roadside Forest

Gate House

Skipness Village

Skipness Castle

Castle Interior

Tower View

Into The Mystic, Claonaig Quay

All images copyright 2013, Kathy Neudorf

Ambushed By Inspiration

Although my Scotland work is unfinished, I must pause for dessert. These images are the fruits of a recent Chris Harris workshop, which I attended near 100 Mile House, in the Cariboo Chilcotin grasslands. Chris' work is truly inspiring, and his ideas and suggestions sent me out on a supercharged weekend of discovery. Giddyup!

Dusk At 108 Mile Lake

Evening Clouds, 108 Mile Lake

Aspens, 108 Mile Lake

Wildflowers, 108 Mile Lake

Open Range, Canyon Road

Farwell Canyon

River Bend

Mountain Face

Abandoned Homestead, Farwell Canyon

Farwell Peaks

Chilcotin River

Sagebrush

Roadside Pond

Aspen Grove, Harris Estate

Pavilion Hay

Grassland Reflections

Pavilion Lake

Marble Canyon Woods
Copyright 2013, Kathy Neudorf

Loch Gruinart and Sanaigmore Bay

Like so much of Islay, these northern destinations are a study in contrast. Loch Gruinart is a wetland wildlife preserve, while just down the road, Sanaigmore Bay opens onto the ageless Atlantic. It is also guarded by the most dramatic rock formations I've ever seen. In between are rustic homesteads, rough moors, and the Outback Art Gallery. Oh, and did I mention sheep?

Our visit to Loch Gruinart also included an evening stop at Kilnave, where once again we were enchanted by the historic beauty of Islay's heritage. The Kilnave Chapel and Cross are 'newer' than the Kildalton ruins, dating from the 14th Century. This beautiful spot has an exquisite water view, the perfect place to experience an island sunset.

Kilnave Chapel And Cross

Chapel Exterior Wall

Interior View, Kilnave Chapel

Loch Gruinart Overlook

Loch Gruinart Wetlands

Hurry Home

Gated Stream, Sanaigmore

Rocky Approach, Sanaigmore Bay

Weathered Rocks, Sanaigmore Bay

Port Nahaven, Port Charlotte And A Wee Dram At Ardbeg

I looked forward to photographing picturesque seaside villages in Scotland, and Islay had them in spades. I love the look of the historic homes; the way they cluster on the cliffs, braced against wind and tide. At the Port Charlotte Hotel I had my first taste of Haggis, and enjoyed it a lot. We also stopped at the Ardbeg distillery for afternoon tea - not the whiskey one might expect, but if a wee dram is required, Islay's eight distilleries can certainly supply that.

Main Street, Port Charlotte

Rooms With A View, Port Charlotte

Beach, Lighthouse, Port Charlotte

Ardbeg Distillery - Time For Tea!

Ardbeg Beach

Suburbia, Port Nahaven

Homes By The Bay, Port Nahaven

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