The ocean is too rough to disembark in St. Kilda, Scotland. We knew all along that this was a possibility, yet what made it possible for us to get as close to this island archipelago as we did, were the amazing navigation skills and well equipped ship. We were able to get close enough to see the birds nesting on the side of the cliffs and fly overhead. Boreray, one of the islands in the archipelago, is where you can find the largest colony of northern gannets in the world.
The condition of the ocean and the high winds make it obvious why the population of the island, all gone since 1930, focused on the consumption of sea birds and not as much fish. Yet, once the young population of able bodied men and their talented cliff "hunting" abilities were no longer present, it made it difficult to continue living there. Today, military personnel, some conservation workers and scientists are the only year round and seasonal residents.
As we approach the next island, Soay, and you looked carefully you could see sheep running around. At first you think your eyes are playing a trick on you, then look through binoculars and to your amazement, you are right! This is pretty much an uninhabited island! This is the home of the Soay Sheep. They are a hardy breed which at one point were domesticated, but have adapted to have a non-flocking behavior and are very agile, and can graze in places domesticated breeds cannot. Say is and Old Norse word meaning "Island Sheep".
Isle of Lewis
This is the home of the five thousand year old Stones of Callanish. An impressive cross-shaped formation of 300,000,000 billion year old Lewisian gneiss rock. The center a circular pattern and the around it the cross. Each stone a separate natural masterpiece of cristal swirls, The main stone with a large feldspar cristal considered the all-seeing-eye. Pictures tell a better story than words.
We gathered up again, sheltered from the wind, and headed to the Dun Carloway Broch. Brochs such as Dun Carloway are found sporadically in this area of the world and were used as high status homes and later strongholds. The partial collapse of
the side provides a glimpse of impressive architecture of the building. Two concentric circles that have internal staircases that wind up to the top. Later visits to other brochs would provide additional visual aids and insight into the movement and interaction of the people of this territory.
Inverewe Gardens.
We headed to mainland Scotland where we visited the Inverewe Gardens. An amazing collection of tropical plants, pathways, and growing facilities decorate the ground and space above our heads. Tall pines, low mosses, my first sighting of skunk cabbage, rhododendrons, azaleas and beautiful tropical flowers area able to grow here do to the Gulf Stream that brings warm air to the area. Unlike other barren areas of Scotland, Inverse is a visual delight.
The highlight of my visit was seeing the Wollemi Pine. A plant thought to be extinct since the Jurassic Period, only seen in fossil form. In 1994 it was discovered in Australia, and do to the perfect atmospheric conditions, the fern (not a pine tree after all) thrives there! I saw it as a super star and could not get nought pictures of this rare beauty.
The condition of the ocean and the high winds make it obvious why the population of the island, all gone since 1930, focused on the consumption of sea birds and not as much fish. Yet, once the young population of able bodied men and their talented cliff "hunting" abilities were no longer present, it made it difficult to continue living there. Today, military personnel, some conservation workers and scientists are the only year round and seasonal residents.
As we approach the next island, Soay, and you looked carefully you could see sheep running around. At first you think your eyes are playing a trick on you, then look through binoculars and to your amazement, you are right! This is pretty much an uninhabited island! This is the home of the Soay Sheep. They are a hardy breed which at one point were domesticated, but have adapted to have a non-flocking behavior and are very agile, and can graze in places domesticated breeds cannot. Say is and Old Norse word meaning "Island Sheep".
Isle of Lewis
This is the home of the five thousand year old Stones of Callanish. An impressive cross-shaped formation of 300,000,000 billion year old Lewisian gneiss rock. The center a circular pattern and the around it the cross. Each stone a separate natural masterpiece of cristal swirls, The main stone with a large feldspar cristal considered the all-seeing-eye. Pictures tell a better story than words.
We gathered up again, sheltered from the wind, and headed to the Dun Carloway Broch. Brochs such as Dun Carloway are found sporadically in this area of the world and were used as high status homes and later strongholds. The partial collapse of
the side provides a glimpse of impressive architecture of the building. Two concentric circles that have internal staircases that wind up to the top. Later visits to other brochs would provide additional visual aids and insight into the movement and interaction of the people of this territory.
Inverewe Gardens.
We headed to mainland Scotland where we visited the Inverewe Gardens. An amazing collection of tropical plants, pathways, and growing facilities decorate the ground and space above our heads. Tall pines, low mosses, my first sighting of skunk cabbage, rhododendrons, azaleas and beautiful tropical flowers area able to grow here do to the Gulf Stream that brings warm air to the area. Unlike other barren areas of Scotland, Inverse is a visual delight.
The highlight of my visit was seeing the Wollemi Pine. A plant thought to be extinct since the Jurassic Period, only seen in fossil form. In 1994 it was discovered in Australia, and do to the perfect atmospheric conditions, the fern (not a pine tree after all) thrives there! I saw it as a super star and could not get nought pictures of this rare beauty.