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Old Man of Stoer |
Stoer Lighthouse |
Very heavily
overcast. We went to see Stoer Lighthouse, about 7
miles north around the coast. By the time we arrived it was already drizzling.
We set off on a hike to 'The old man of Stoer', a
rocky outcrop said to be 200 feet high, just out from the cliff face in the
sea. We walked about 1.5 miles The cliff tops were
high and hilly and I would have imagined well drained yet there were extensive
areas of bog. I found 2 tiny orchids and tried to photograph them, then wearing
emergency ponchos, we sat in the drizzling rain for about and hour while I
tried to sketch 'the old man'.
On the way back we
discovered the most incredible natural garden. An edge of cliff had broken away
maybe 3-4 feet chasm, between the cliff and a nearly free standing wall about
20-30 feet long with the most wonderful heath garden which looked like it had
been carefully planted, weeded and trimmed.
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Wonderful heather gardens near Stoer Lighthouse. |
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BY this time
the weather was clearing, the sea colour varying from the earlier grey to
mauve/blues. The Isle of Lewis on the horizon became focussed
and a pretty cobalt colour. Needless to say we went mad with the camera
(again)!!
The same goes for
the lighthouse, which had earlier looked dreary against the grey ocean, sky and
rain. Now a dazzling, shiny, bright white with beautiful colours
of sky, ocean and red cliff faces.
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Mountain Cottage Lochinver |
Phone-box |
Although
we had travelled along a very isolated narrow coastal
road, 7 miles from the nearest town, we saw a gallery sign, which we followed
down a lane to a tiny stone crofter's cottage. In a small shed at the back was
a lovely little gallery with first class jewellery, raku
pottery, timber, paintings and drawings. Their back garden amazed us the most.
With the country around for miles nearly barren with rocks and bog, they had a
fabulous market garden with flourishing cabbages, peas, broccoli, spinach etc
plus herbs and an exciting range of poppies and other perennials in flower.
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Lochinver, Postman Pat, where are you? |
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Needless to say their
produce was virtually pre-sold. Our B&B hostess does a 200mile round trip
to do grocery shopping monthly. Fruit and vegies of
course don't keep that long and the tine general store has very little (and
what they do have very expensive). I considered adding the Stoer
Lighthouse walk to my weekly painting group's schedule but it wouldn't suit
everyone. No trees to duck behind and not a toilet for 7 miles!
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'Veyatie' Dawn & Mel Chapman |