This post really made me a little "Travelsick" which is the opposite of Homesick. I found myself wishing to be back on those narrow road, through the amazing terrain that is the Northwest Coast of Scotland, on part of the road that is called the "North Coast 500" I will let you look that up yourself, google is your friend. The area is, in a word: Stunning! We didn't stop as much as maybe we wanted to, as it is a fair drive from Thurso to Ullapool, but we stopped a lot. I honestly have trouble thinning the herd of photos, they all bring back the joy of what to me is one of my deepest joys, just driving through beauty with my lovely wife at my side. We had a great dinner the night before, Cullen Skink soup at a nice place in Thurso, filled up as petrol stations are scarce, non-existent really, on this route and stocked up on some snackies and food for lunch. We really did get to like Digestive Biscuits as a simple breakfast we could eat while driving.

I really do not know how many of these Lochs opened to the sea and which were self contained, but they were pretty, and we found some nice beaches too. You would not think that about Scotland, but they have some really amazing beaches there. They are not warm, but they are perfect for a walk in a jacket, and gazing out to sea with the wind in your hair, imagining you are in a Scottish version of a Romance Novel.   

Would it surprise you to know that I could cheerfully retire to a spot like this... if I could afford it. THIS IS SO COOL!   

Like I said, beaches, all over the place. There was a zip line to my right if I remember correctly, it was sunny and calm.  

I believe that I have mentioned the heather, I love the subtle color it adds, it fits with the rest of the palate and accents the deep greens. Makes me happy inside.  

 The Kylesku Bridge is a cool thing, it curves in the middle of the span, that is not an optical illusion. It is a sure sign you are getting closer to Ullapool. Before this we stopped at Smoo Cave, which was cool but not really photogenic.   

Ardvreck Castle Waterfall was beautiful, but introduced us to the dreaded Midge swarms that are part of the package tour in the Highlands and Islands. I was trying to hold my camera still enough to stretch out the shutter speed and get movement in the water while having these teeny tiny... things crawl into every crevice of my unprotected skin. It was excruciating, but I liked the photos. You are welcome to enjoy the fruits of my discomfort. Typically I would use a tripod for this type of shot, but there was NO WAY I was going back out into the midges.

I really wanted to hike out to the castle as well, but I had to say no. As I write this many months later, I am getting itchy just thinking about this.    

We had a great hotel in Ullapool, this was our view from the Hotel grounds, the ferry to Stornoway was on the schedule for tomorrow, which was exciting to me, I love ferries. My wife and I also cracked up a lot due to the Google Map navigation frequently warning us: "Warning Ferry" multiple times as we drove towards every ferry que. We still will look at each other and just say it sometimes and both crack up.   

As a photographer, I have long loved taking photos of antique and/or cool cars but I don't get to do it as much as I would like. The possibilities are endless really once you get up close and start looking with the photographers eye. As we got queued up for the ferry the next day we struck gold... er... chrome. There was a group of Bentley cars going on a tour of the Isles of Harris and Lewis. Oh heavens!!!

I felt this driver was rather bold driving a convertible in the rain is brave to say the least. Just so pretty though.   

One thing that really impressed me was that these are DRIVERS, not museum pieces, props to these folks man.   

Now... now my heart stopped. I had no idea what this car was but it blew me away!!! The styling was timeless and sexy, sleek and powerful. I just.... WOW!!! I later was able to identify it as a 1930 Bentley "Blue Train" Special with coachwork by Gurney Nutting. There is plenty on the web about it, this is a seriously COOL CAR! And not just to look at, though how it looks is just... Chefs Kiss perfection.  

I really thought at first glance that it was a modern recreation with custom slammed coachwork or some one off fantasy. It's a real car, and worth a lot, and being driven on public roads. I cannot say how much I admire the owner for being willing to do this so the world can appreciate it.  My hat is off to you.   

Off to the ferry, next stop Stornoway on the Isle of Harris and Lewis and Callanish Standing Stones!!!