17th April

In the interest of keeping this short (it's late, I'm tired, had a long day driving and sightseeing etc etc), I am posting fewer pictures in the hope that you will expect me to say less. I think that should work. In case you expect me to start off this entry with yet another glowing description of the Scottish weather let me tell you that you would be wrong! Today was a filthy day, at least until well after midday by which time I was just south of Ullapool and driving into clearer weather. Grey and rainy made me realize that I am in Scotland again. To carp about this would be churlish however in light of the astounding good luck I have had so far. Actually, this weather gave me a chance to photograph Scotland as I imagine it to be (first photograph). Yes, they are mist covered snowy mountains in the far distance.

My first stop was an hour at Knockan Crags, famous for its geology. This is where we can observe the giant Moine Thrust plane that thrusts very old Lewisian Gneiss over much younger rocks. This next photograph shows a mock up done on site to impress the kiddies. Alas, I felt the whole presentation was dumbed down for not so bright or not so interested children.The kids who are genuinely interested in this kind of stuff would be turned off by the presentation - I know I would have been.While at Knockan Crags it snowed! You can see a bit of snow in the third photograph of a very interesting globe sculpture made of rock in the exact style of the remarkable Andy Goldsworthy (of whom it seems to be plagiarising).

Still a great sculpture though!

After KC I drove south through Ullapool and then took the long coastal route to Gairloch where the nuclear subs hang out. There I happened to fortuitously stumble upon the famous Inverewe Gardens which are a bit like the fabulous efforts on the Big Island of Hawaii and at Kirstenbosch near Cape Town. I spent 1.5 hours here but could have hung out all day. While there I was subjected to clouds, rain, bright sunshine and a 10 minute hail storm! Even though there are amazing flora from all around the world I decide to present you with a picture of a dead leaf. Go figger.

Below are strange fern like forms growing at the gardens. Still at a juvenile stage.

After Inverewe I was very late and had a long way to go and I only got to the hotel at 8.30 pm had some dinner and am now writing this (that's dedication for you). Saw lots of snow covered pretty mountains on the way down and I am sure to have nightmares trying to figure which is which. This is the one with the tree in front of it.

By the time I got to Phoenix ....er sorry that is Loch Leven the sun was shining madly and a the snow capped mountains were bathed in light but I had no time to stop and capture it! Typical. I drive to Glasgow tomorrow and then home and that's where the real work will begin so this blog will continue!