New Year's Day in North Tolsta

 The sun greeted us on this first morning of 2014

 so we celebrated by going for a drive, to go for walk...

 to a bridge at the head of Seaforth loch, one of the many places that Charles Edward Stuart is reputed to have landed...but quite a feasible location, miles from anywhere even now...

 fresh peat cuttings, by the old road that runs by the loch

 there has been some heavy rain recently, and one stream had torn a scar right down the slope and by-passed the road bridge

 mid-day sun.....

 We  found a group of at least a dozen "black houses" by a larger burn, with a large fank (group of sheep pens that look like a group of fences)

 and a chassis with a diff....?????

 and a lobster pen.....

 and most surprisingly, a Herdwick sheep !!!

 A small fank

 Then we cheated and drove to where Mr C.E.S. walked....just South of Stornoway...

 and saw a rock garden..

 and in the evening left The Pirate talking in the kitchen while three of us went visiting.....!!

New Year's Eve in North Tolsta

 a dry start to the day, thankfully

 Stornoway harbour

 Stornoway castle. When Lord Leverhulme offered the Island of Lewis to the people who lived here, in 1923, only Stornoway accepted...hence the Trust which cares for the castle and grounds.
 He had tried to regenerate the herring industry on the lines of his Port Sunlight project on the Wirrall, but tried to bring the crofting system to an end.  When the government brought in crofts for returning servicemen after 1919, he decided to leave.

 looking towards the town across the harbour

 through the gates for a walk

 rhodedendron ponticum being cleared in the castle grounds so that the trees will regenerate

 a walk around the back streets of the town

 and watching the boat coming in...10 out of 10 for parking!!

 Then we had rain and sun and wind

 and sunlight on the clouds as we awaited the bus home

 now this, miss Hetty shows us, is the most sensible place to be on a day like this!

 but we just thought, one more walk....

 down towards the beach again...

 and a reward of another beautiful sunset

Monday in North Tolsta (30.12.13)

 we had a guided tour, starting in a pottery! There will be a small cafe there soon where you'll be able to enjoy good coffee....and good pots.

 I bought a small vase....and left it in Tolsta....I'll have to return now....no complaints!

 Callanish

 The cafe was closed, but the circle is ever open.  

 A sheep.....not running away OR having a pee!!

 we walked over a bridge to an island near great Bernera

 And Andrea took photos...and we took photos of her working....lucky she didn't see us as she hates having her photo taken.   However....I do like the bag....even if it is pink!

 A and the Pirate...by the sea at Bosta....next stop Nova Scotia!! 

 Ann Lantair...Stornoway....coffeetime!!

 day's end