In spite of the unfavourable weatherforecast, we did set out on a bustrip to Leverburgh in Harris, 55 miles to the south. Promptly, upon setting out at 9.15, did the rain start. And it never stopped all day. Nonetheless, we paid our £8.80 for the return ticket, sat on the bus and relaxed. Visibility was poor all the way to Tarbert, 37 miles to the south, but sufficient to get your bearings. Arrived into Tarbert at 10.40, but our usual coffee place was shut for a wedding. So we went nextdoors to the hotel for a cuppa with a scone. We had a browse in the tourist office before jumping on the bus to Leverburgh - the one going along the eastern shores of the island of Harris. It is a 19 mile journey along switchbacks, humps, tight corners, blind bends - in driving rain. When I say 'rain', I should actually call it drizzle. Taking pictures was virtually impossible. Arrived at Leverburgh at 1pm sharp, and according to the schedule. Nipped into the Anchorage restaurant for some fish & chips, whilst watching a helicopter at work from the
Pharos, the lighthouse service vessel. The weather briefly improved, allowing us a view of Boreray in the distance, but when the round hump of that island disappeared behind Ensay, the game was up again. The return bus departed at 2.40pm along the westside of Harris, where conditions were slightly better than in the east. I was able to take pictures, but they are still not brilliant. After a brief stop at Tarbert, we were taken back to Stornoway. To my great surprise, the sun came out on the pass below the Clisham (the highest hill in Harris at 799 metres or 2640 feet), but it was soon back to dreich & drizzle. Nonetheless, in spite of the poor weather, a nice day out.
Photos in reverse chronological order
On the bus
Loch Seaforth from the Lewis / Harris border
Loch Seaforth at Ardvourlie
The ferry to Skye at Tarbert.
One of the beaches on the westside of Harris
Sound of Harris ferry at Leverburgh
Helicopter and the
Pharos
The Bays of Harris on a very wet day
Tarbert
Driving in the clouds below the Clisham
Great pictures, especially the "Bays of Harris".
ReplyDeleteNow these photos are unique to your location. I think I would recognize them as Guido's world if I saw them somewhere unexpected. I always love the photos of the seagoing vessels which I never see in my part of the country. Your header photo shows the fog. Never see that either. But where are some sheep? Ha.
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