A taste of the Scottish Highlands through visits to quaint little towns like Ullapool and Scrabster will quickly put this region on a bucket list for further adventures and exploration! Especially a drive on the North Coast 500 (NC500), which is a 516 mile scenic route looping around the north of Scotland from Inverness – probably with a slight diversion to investigate the Hebrides with its Isle of Skye;-) The scenery from our little sampling is stunning, the people are incredible friendly and the fish and chips (with the fish straight out of the water) are the best! So – here is a sample.
Ullapool is a wonderful little town with incredibly large significance. Just 30 minutes out of town is the Knockan Crag National Nature Reserve, with enormous geological significance. The low cliff of Knockan exposes rocks that set the scientific world ablaze in the 19th century as it proved prior thought wrong. The Moine Thrust was created by the force of two continents crashing together many millions of years ago causing old lower layers of the earth to rise up vertically and fall back on top of the newer layers of earth. Thus upending the previous theory that the oldest layers of earth were always on the bottom of any layers with newer periods of earth on top. It was only because of the exposed rock in this area that this was able to be determined. Unfortunately, the weather did not cooperate this particular day for a hike to the top of the crag, but the substitute hike was a good one.
Off to Corrieshalloch Gorge — a hike not to miss. One can take a myriad of trails to discover the gorge winding up at a Victorian suspension bridge that transports you over the 200′ drop to the River Droma. Further on a cantilevered viewing platform provides great pictures of the falls and the suspension bridge. Exposed rock here contributes to the Moine Thrust theory. Enjoy the walk, the greenery and the peace.
After all this exhilaration, it was time to head back to town and have some delicious fish and chips. Where else – Chipy’s!
How could Scrabster possibly top Ullapool? Well – just pass the lighthouse at the edge of town, go through the gate to the sheep pasture and follow the trail. You will have the best 1.5 mile walk with sights you wouldn’t imagine. The pictures will tell the tale.
The green, the sheer rock cliffs, the pounding sea and all the little white specks in the green pastures (the sheep) make this area of the world so inviting. One last item – the heather, which is in bloom.
How fun were these last two days. Incredible scenery, friendly people and very knowledgeable guides. Even though Donald made us sing ‘Old McDonald Had a Farm’ on the Gorge hike;-)
E & G – totally enthralled with the Scottish Highlands
