Loch Slapin on the Isle of Skye, Scotland, is an exquisite place to escape from it all. We suggest exploring the coastline around dusk to be able to enjoy the tranquility and beauty of this area of the Island.
Bla Bheinn and Clach Glas mountains on the opposite side of Loch Slapin
Loch Slapin, an ideal retreat
The sun slipping behind the mountains, across from Loch Slapin
This lovely view is just a short drive from the ruins of Cill Chriosd, on the road from Broadford village to Elgol.
Cill Chriosd or Kilchrist meaning Christ’s Church is a ruined pre-Reformation parish church of Strathaird, Isle of Skye, Scotland. The first written record of the church located at this site is from 1505 when Kenneth Adamson succeeded John MacGillivray as chaplain. The parish was used by the community until 1840 when a new building was established in the near-by town of Broadford.
The path leading up to Cill Chriosd
These ruins are so very quiet and calm, the only noise that one will hear is the bahs of lambs calling to their moms.
The ruins are located next to a single-track road, surrounded by the omnipresent sheep.
To enter the ruins, one passes through a small iron gate that is often left open, as can be seen by the neatly trimmed grass, a hallmark of the free-range sheep of the area.
Iron gate leading to the ruins of Cill Chriosd
Here you can see the meticulously maintained grass, thanks to the sheep
Sheep are not the only visitors to the ruins, this bird watched us while we explored the grounds
Bird taking flight from the ruins
We loved the way this tree has become part of the ruins
Looking towards the burial enclosure
East end of Cill Chriosd,showing the burial enclosure
The burial enclosure of the parish looking toward Beinn na Caillich (Red Hills)
Looking through the entrance to the burial enclosure up to Beinn na Caillich
The Red Hills and the sheep add a comforting and strangely desolate feeling to these ruins.
Cill Chriosd, solemn and serene
This little lamb was perfectly at home in the shadows of the ruins of Cill Chriosd
Cill Chriosd is an understated attraction, the only reason that we stumbled upon it was because we were staying just a few minutes up the road from it at Swordale House, a delightful bed and breakfast that I would recommend to anyone staying on the Isle of Skye.
This picture was taken from just outside the ruins, the building in the distance is Swordale House
While Cill Chriosd does not offer the most spectacular of ruins, it is an impressive monument to hundreds of years of religious island life. You will not have to fight the crowds to explore this wonderful site, so be sure to stop by.
Cill Chriosd is about two miles from Broadford village on the B8083 road to Elgol.
Neist Point is one of the many wonderful places to visit on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Many travel to Neist Point to view the lighthouse, but I suggest that the best part of this trip was absorbing the beauty of the region.
Neist Point Lighthouse perched a top the cliff
When standing on the cliffs looking out over the ocean I was struck with the feeling of being at the edge of the world.
Panorama of Neist Point, click on this image (and all the overs) to enlarge
Perhaps, my favorite part of the Isle of Skye was the ever-present sheep that seemed able to navigate every type of terrain that the island had to offer. The tiny white specs in the grass are sheep.
Sheep, they go everywhere
The clouds on the grassy cliffs add another layer to this awesome landscape, also sheep
We were always surprised with how a short walk would reveal a new and beautiful perspective.
A new perspective grants new photographic opportunities
The enormity of the landscape is always a welcome surprise
The more subtle features of the area can be just as dramatic as the showy ones. On the drive to Neist Point you will pass Loch Mor, a lake that seems to float in the cradle of the surrounding hills.
Loch Mor, on the way to Neist Point
We always try to visit the more dramatic locations when the sun is rather low in the sky, the lighting is just more magical and grants the photographs some of that wonder that we experienced while taking the photographs.
A perfect end to a long day, at Neist Point
Travel Tip #6: Advice from a Purple Hippo
It is important to be aware of closing times when visiting historic locations.
Exterior ruins of Huntly Castle situated in Aberdeenshire, Scotland
One can easily become enthralled to the point of distraction when visiting fascinating castles.
Arrow loop in Huntly Castle
While this is usualy a good thing, it can lead to disaster if one is not aware of the castle’s closing hour.
They are serious when they say closing time is at 5:30
When a castle closes they lock the two means of entrance and escape that the entire place has to offer.
This bright window may appear to be a way out, but the fall is much too long
You may see what appears to be an exit.
A glimmer of hope
But it never is, you will quickly learn that castles were built as defense structures, making exiting them quite difficult.
These iron bars were easy for me to slip through, but I could not leave my camera crew behind
Once you understand that there is no means of escape, you must phone the local police and inform them that you seem to have gotten yourself locked in the castle and could they please come let you out. When phoning the police it is also helpful to know the name of your prison, which is why Travel Tip #5 is so important.
Waiting, sheepishly
Once you have phoned the police, wait about an hour until they send someone to extract you.
Travel Tip #5: Advice from a Purple Hippo
After a while, all those castles and gardens are going to start looking the same.
By the time you get home you may have a great deal of trouble identifying where you were when you took a specific picture.
Huntly Castle situated in Aberdeenshire, Scotland
To minimize this unfortunate occurrence, try taking pictures of signs and markers when you arrive somewhere new. This way you will have an information starting point when you are going back over your photos.
Close-ups of the signs will help with readability
This travel tip can also help if you get lost or stranded somewhere, see Travel Tip #6.
Meanderings Abound 