Scotland, June 2014

Durness to Ullapool

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At Kylesku, a cairn in honour of the WWII commandos of the XIIth submarine flotilla.

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The wording on the cairn commemorates the men of the mini-submarines and human torpedoes who trained in the wild waters of Assynt, and also the secrecy kept by the local people, "who knew so much and talked so little".

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The bridge at Kylesku.

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The view of Quinag from Kylesku.

Quinag

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Setting off to climb Quinag.

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From the slopes of Quinag,looking down on Loch Assynt.

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The summit ridge of Quinag.

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View of Kylesku from Quinag.

Cul Mor

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Wild orchid beside the path to Cul Mor.

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Linda, Bill, Allan on the path to Cul Mor (which is in cloud).

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The cloud gradually lifted as we climbed.

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Sue, Bill, Bob by the summit cairn.

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The cloud almost cleared, giving a view to the north.

Knockan Crag

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The Visitor Centre at Knockan Crag, where the modern science of geology began.

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The visitor trail.

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Rock sculpture by the trail.

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The Moine Thrust, where ancient rock slid over younger strata.

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Our group, at the viewpoint on the trail.

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From the viewpoint, looking across the valley to Cul Mor.

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Knockan Crag from below.

Canisp

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Blue sky as we started out towards Canisp.

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Chris S and Allan on the rocky slabs of Canisp, with the cloud closing in.

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View across to Cul Mor from the slopes of Canisp.

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The summit shelter: cold, cloudy, windy!

Stornoway

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On a dull, cloudy day, Bob and I took the ferry to Stornoway.

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The ferry nears Stornoway.

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Lews Castle above Stornoway.

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Stornoway harbour.

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Back at Ullapool harbour.

Coigach

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The Summer Isles, seen from Achiltibuie.

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The harbour at Altandhu.

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Achnahaird Bay.

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Seen from the road near Achnahaird: Cul Mor, Stac Pollaidh and Cul Beag, with their tops in the cloud.

Kirkaig

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On the path to the Falls of Kirkaig.

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Kirkaig Falls.

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Pat, Linda, Allan on the path back from the Falls.

And finally ...

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Ardvreck Castle on Loch Assynt, on a murky day.

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Late evening sun over Ullapool harbour.