Poolewe Archives - Blasdale Home

Scotland – Poolewe – Inverewe Gardens

Posted on May 28, 2024 by SteveJuly 12, 2024

28th May 2024

Rained in the early morning. It should not have done so. Weather forecasts can be unreliable.

First, we walked to the village hall. There was a bookshop there, plus a market. We bought four second handbooks, including one titled “Warm or very Warm – the Story of a Scottish Summer”, which we thought hilarious. In the main hall there were a number of stalls. Bought three 500ml bottles of beer. Two stout and a light citrus beer. Brewed in Poolewe.

Walked to the Inverewe Gardens where we spent several hours walking around. The flowers and trees were spectacular. Parts of the gardens featured plants from different places in the world, or plant types, such as New Zealand and a bamboo garden,

Unfortunately, the restaurant there was a bit crap, offering pies and soup, not much more.

Back to the campsite by four when it started to rain yet again. Didn’t look like a chance of a sunset tonight. What was that book called? Suddenly out to sea, there was a break in the sky, and the sun was setting. Think most of the campsite was looking out to sea and standing on the water’s edge to see the sun dip below the horizon. A drone joined us for the spectacle. Must purchase one of these, a useful tool for photographers.

It had been a nice stay in Poolewe. The campsite was lovely, right next to the sea front, well kept & well landscaped. Some of the hardstanding was concrete, the floors of army buildings from the war. The property is owned by the Scottish National Trust. Unfortunately, they only give the CCC three-year leases. The short lease means that the CCC won’t take the risk of investing in the shower block. with the result the block is rather antiquated and inadequate.

Track

Scotland – Loch Ewe and Arctic Convoy Museum

Posted on May 27, 2024 by SteveJuly 10, 2024

27th May 2024

Today, the day started off OK, though rain there was promised for later. We were going to the Arctic Convoy Museum, and looking aroun Loch Ewe. First we took advantage of the roadside café up the road, and had a breakfast pie, while R had a savoury flapjack.

We set off in the van to go up the road to the The Russian Arctic Convoy Museum. Here we talked with one of the curators and were shown the convoys HMS Vindex was involved in. Rosemary left details of her father and promised to send on further information.

We headed back in the other direction, looked at the viewpoint overlooking the lock and the NATO refuelling station. We had noticed it before, and Steve assumed it was for tankers to pump up fuel for distribution in the area. Nope, it was NATO.

The whole area is either a yellow drone area, ie ask for permission, or red over, especially over the fuel depot, no drones.

We then went to the Southern headland where there are many concrete lookouts and gun emplacements. Took some photos

Next it was to Garelock, where we had coffee in a very radical, left-wing coffee shop. A very interesting selection of books on sale.

Visited the dock, but why is it you cannot ever buy fish?

Back to the campsite, and the rain came in a little harder. Cleared up for the evening, but not enough for a sunset image from the beach. Some lovely shots of birds on the shore though

Birds Photographed

Common Ringed Plover
Dunlin
Curlew Sandpiper

Track

Scotland – Ullapool

Posted on May 26, 2024 by SteveJuly 10, 2024

26th May 2024

Sleepless night waiting for the alarm, but when it did ring, I could not stop it quickly. Van packed quickly and we were away well before 6:30

Into the queue for the boat loading, and soon on board. Seemed quite a new boat, and the biggest we had been on this holiday amongst the islands. It even had a second layer on one side of the vehicle bay for cars.

Smooth trip across. Wish I had not eaten the Cornish Pasty for breakfast, everyone else was tucking into a Scottish Breakfast. The black pudding looked scrumptious, though I did hear they had cut corners on the beans, not Heinz.

The trip was 160 minutes and smooth. A pleasant view from the front viewing lounge. Whenever I went up on deck, I had to use the stairs that also go down to the car deck, the noise from all the car alarms going off is a real racket.

When we arrived at Ullapool what struck most was trees & green – green grass, green trees etc etc.

Unloaded and straight to Tesco. An exceedingly small one, but we did alright buying wine and Campari which was on offer. Had to do a big Tesco shop.

Now it was the drive to Poolewe and the Camping and Caravan Club site. I told Google to stop at various places along the route, some were viewing spots along the road. One though was a Gorge. The Corrieshalloch Gorge, run by the National Trust of Scotland. It has various waterfalls down the canyon, and a suspension bridge for pedestrians where you can a good view of the gorge and a waterfall. There is also a viewing platform further on to view the suspension bridge. A rain forest. Certainly, masses of moss. All very impressive. The NT carpark and buildings there opened this year. You can buy a coffee and cakes there.

A few more stops, and we made it to the campsite. Checked in and walked into Poolewe. A shop, which we may or may not use, and a small art café. All closed today or because of the time.

Had a quick look around the graveyard, sat on the bench, like two old people, looking over the loch, and attempted to photo the sunset. Today we had all kinds of weather, sun, rain and boring cloud. The sunset was photographed in the rain.

Looking forward to breakfast tomorrow. There is a roadside shack on the Northern end of the campsite. They do good coffee apparently and have breakfast pies. Never had a breakfast pie before. The place has all 5* reviews in Google, over 60 of them. Nothing less than 5*. I have never seen that before.