The Far North - 6th to 14th July 2013.

Here are a few photo's from our holiday in the Far North (and a little bit of Far North West) of Scotland.

Smoo Cave

Smoo Cave

Geodha Smoo

Rafe at Geodha Smoo

Smoo Cave

West of Talmine

Lesser Butterfly Orchid by Talmine

Wild orchids west of Talmine

Early Purple Orchid, by Talmine

Heath Spotted Orchids, by Talmine

West of Talmine, looking east over the Kyle of Tongue

Islands in the Kyle of Tongue

Dunnet Head Lighthouse

West from Dunnet Head Lighthouse

Old crofthouse at Bettyhill

Old crofthouse at Bettyhill

Bettyhill

Farr Stone, Bettyhill

Skerray Bay

Neave Island in Skerray Bay

Skerray Bay

Skerray Bay and Neave Island

The Unkown - Borgie Forest

Peat stacks near Kinbrace

Quinag from by Kylesku Bridge

Kylesku Bridge

Falls of Shin

Arkle from Achfary near Laxford Bridge

A Week in Strathnaver - 6th to 14th July 2012.

Ben Klibreck over Loch Naver from the campsite at Grummore

Some more photographs from our holiday in the Far North of Scotland. A week of wide views and sunshine...

3am - Looking north east along Loch Naver from the campsite at Grummore

We camped on the north shore of Loch Naver. These pictures are all taken within walking or canoe distance of the campsite.

Rafe cools his feet on the south shore of Loch Naver (NC604355)

The campsite was beside the Clearance Village of Grummore, the haunting ruins of black houses, barns and enclosures, left by their inhabitants when they were cleared for sheep in the early 19th century.

Ben Klibreck, a Munro, lies on the south western shores of Loch Naver and dominated our views...

One of the many blackhouses, Cleared for sheep at Grummore with views south over Loch Naver (NC609367)

Grummore Clearance Village, Strathnaver

Ben Klibreck from Grummore

Rafe watches over the Grummore Clearance Village

Rafe - The old oven, where the village bread was baked at Grummore (NC607369)
Took a bit of finding...

Rafe on the slopes of Carn Gruama Mor above Grummore Clearance Village
Views over Loch Naver to Ben Klibreck

There are also older ruins, brochs, bronze age round houses, crannogs and more in the area. Having a canoe we had the chance to explore some of the more remote remains.

Broch on the south shore of Loch Naver (NC604356)

Broch on the south shore of Loch Naver (NC604356) looking west

Crannog on Loch Naver (NC655383)

Ben Klibreck (Munro, 962m) over Loch Naver

Rafe and Ben Klibreck over Loch Naver from  Carn Gruama Mor

Ben Klibreck

Ben Klibreck from Grummore Clearance Village

Ben Klibreck from Grummore campsite

Ben Klibreck and Rafe from Grummore campsite

Loch Naver, looking west towards Altnaharra

 The north eastern end of Loch Naver from Carn Gruama Mor

Loch Naver, looking north west from Grummore campsite

Loch Naver, looking west with Ben Klibreck on the left

A glassy Loch Naver looking north east from NC600352 by Grummore Little Wood

On Loch Naver's south shore (NC604356)

Loch Naver's north shore, by Grummore Little Wood

Loch Naver's south shore near Kilbreck Lodge

Grummore Little Wood x 2

Kilbreck Lodge on Loch Naver

Altnaharra Bridge over River Mudale (NC568357)

North eastern end of LochNaver (NC651381)

Black Throated Divers on Loch Naver

Black Throated Divers on Loch Naver

Rafe - ready for a paddle - Loch Naver

And the rolling Flow Country all around...

 Rafe - Views to Ben Loyal from Carn Gruama Mor above Grummore

A place I like to be...

Grummore Burn and the Flow Country north of Grummore

 Ben Klibreck from the unnamed lochan by Carn Gruama Mor

Loch Naver, north east from Carn Gruama Mor, above Grummore