Monday, 25 July 2011

Holiday 2011 - Sunset Cycle

Part 2 of the holiday snaps selection...

We took our bikes with us. During the day we did a couple of family rides and in the evenings hubby and I took turns to go out on our own.

Compared to where we live there aren't many good cycling roads near Arisaig. This is true for much of the Highlands - the land is just far emptier than the central Lowlands where the bulk of Scotland's population lives. As there are fewer people there are fewer farms and other small settlements needing connected by the unclassified roads which are so ideal for cycling. However, we had enough quiet roads to keep us very pleasantly occupied for the week we were there and the scenery was fantastic.

One evening I cycled up the coast from the campsite to Morar and then inland along the shores of Loch Morar. I picked a good evening...

Joining the Road to the Isles from the campsite. I like the rosebay willow herb, the sharp bend in the road and the white cottage.

Past Traigh golf course, this is the very dinky clubhouse and it sits on a beautiful bay.

Although I did take photos of the beaches and sea on the way out I prefer the ones I took on the way home - you'll soon see why. The next little collection of photos included here is therefore of Loch Morar which lies behind the village of Morar. It is reputed to have its own monster, called Morag, but I never saw her. The evening light up at the loch was just perfect giving beautiful tones of blue and purple to the water and hills.

This is as far along the loch as I went which was about a mile before the road ends and just before a huge hill which I'm afraid I couldn't be bothered to go up. I was also aware that the sun was setting and I wanted to get back onto the road home to catch the sunset over the beaches and sea...


The next few photos are all of Traigh bay, it's high tide at this time in the evening.

The little clubhouse at the head of Traigh bay bathed in the light of the setting sun.

Lastly, one final view of the sunset over the next little bay. It was the best sunset we had all week and I'm so glad I was able to get out on my bike and appreciate it fully. I'm also glad of my little camera which seems to cope well with capturing some of the beauty in the landscapes around us. Digital cameras are such a wonderful invention.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Glorious pictures, especially the sunsets. Scotland is so beautiful.

Suzy's Vintage Attic said...

Beautiful photos! That place has definitely gone on to my must go to list.
Morag the monster, that made me smile :-)
Isabelle x

Julie said...

Your photos really are beautiful. Its such a wonderful part of the world - apparently my grandad wanted to retire there but sadly didn't live until he retired....and maybe it wouldn't have happened anyway but it was a lovely dream.
Have you ever been to Rum? Its a really special place too, I've been a few times but not since we had the kids. Juliex

Pomona said...

Amazing photos - the blues of the loch photos are really special.!

Pomona x

Grateful4Crochet said...

these photos are beautiful- now I have a major case of travel envy :)

Mrs. Micawber said...

How gloriously beautiful! I love all the shots, but the sunset pics, and the clouds over the islands, give me a sort of yearning feeling ... a longing to sail out, out over the seas to lands as yet unvisited. (Or flying would do as well.) Thank you for sharing all this beauty with us. Looking forward to more.

Simone said...

The photos are stunning. I like the sun bathed house.

Pamela Terry and Edward said...

Pure paradise.

...Nina Nixon... said...

Oh that sunset - I love sunsets......and sunrises.

Such beautiful colours.

Happy holidays,

Nina x

Jennyff said...

I know that part of Scotland fairly well, it is so beautiful, wonderful beaches and very quiet all of which you show in your photographs. Hope the good weather continues for you.

blueskyscotland said...

Some great sunset shots.Know what you mean about the roads up there though.Most good cycling roads in the highlands although empty at times tend to be main roads,rough tracks into the interior or long dead ends which you have to return along.Thats why I like the Central Belt and Fife so much... endless variety of new routes on a bike.

Alex said...

That last picture is fantastic. Beautiful clouds and you even managed to capture a passing seagull :)

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