Off the beaten path

Published on 25 June 2023 at 23:10

When we planned this trip, we really hoped to get off the beaten path and discover parts of the country we wouldn't see on a tour or in the cities. Scotland has such tremendous architecture and history, but the landscape is astoundingly beautiful as well. Sunday we set off to hike in the Abriachan Forest. The drive getting there was the usual adventure, but it got us to an amazing hiking trail.

The trail had so much going on with heather, wildflowers, ferns, and trees, as we hiked up to a summit called Carn na Leitire.

Along the trail we found a few little shelters that looked like fairy houses.

We made it to Carn na Leitire, the wee summit that gave us views of the countryside and forest below. Windy!

We made a very quick stop at a crowded Loch Ness viewing point before hitting the road for 2.5 hour drive to Isle of Skye.

Nessie???

Pit stop to check out this old bridge and gasp at the hillsides.

The whole day's drive full of scenery has been impressive, but the Isle of Skye is pure magic. We first stopped to walk through the peat bog along the River Sligichan.