#westcoastofscotland

[kissingupyourinnerthighs]

In a break from my usual reblogs, here's a photo from Saturday's boat trip

[gulfart]

Achmelvich Bay 14” x 10” An original watercolour £350 unframed. Painted on location from the rocks looking down on this picturesque bay north of Ullapool. I managed to paint 3 watercolours on Arches blocks on this trip and a couple of sketchbook watercolours. The beaches and landscapes on the west coast of Scotland are stunning. We were fortunate to be blessed with amazing weather. I hope we can return soon. #achmelvich #achmelvichbeach #ullapool #westcoastofscotland #landscapepainting #watercolour #watercolourpainting #watercolourpaper #whitesand #tuquoise (at Alan Reed Art) https://www.instagram.com/p/CeqJUARLq0M/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[melodychic]

our west coast adventures part 3

[mallelondon]

The Great Malle Rally 2021 - Stage #6 The last stage of The Great Malle Rally 2021, but by no means the least!! Riders head up towards the final checkpoint on this 1500+ mile enduring Rally, towards the most Northern point of Great Britain. This last stage of the rally hugs the west coast of Scotland, meanders up along the north coast, before finishing up at The Castle of Mey. Here, the 100 brave riders and the Malle Rally team were greeted with an incredible sunset - the perfect backdrop to complete the perfect adventure. Godspeed! The Great Malle Rally 2021 full official gallery by @amyshorephotography and Rally report will be online very soon! #TheGreatMalleRally #StageSix #Scotland #WestCoastofScotland #TheHighlands #NorthernScotland #RallyFinished #FinalCheckpoint #TheCastleofMey #1500Miles #Rally #Motorcycle #Adventure #MotorcycleAdventure #CustomMotorcycle #ClassicMotorcycle #CafeRacer #Chopper #Malle #MalleLondon #GreatBritain #MotorcycleRally #Scotland #PreparedToGetLost #Freedom #TheGreatMalleRally2021 (at Castle of Mey) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQsXu7tMRvS/?utm_medium=tumblr

[mxkdiary]

Isle of Iona, Scotland

[bluesoul97]

The Bridge near the Old Inn in Gairloch. . . . . . . . #gairlochharbour #gairloch #oldinn #bridge #highlands #highlandsofscotland #westcoastofscotland #westcoast #scotland https://www.instagram.com/p/CRQyu2HLrKo/?utm_medium=tumblr

[flynn1972]

Just a video #easdale #easdaleisland #harrishawk #hawk #birdofprey #lastmarch #eveningwalk #sea #scotland #roadtrip #westcoastofscotland #slateislands (at Easdale Island)

[scottishhighlandtraditions]

Celtic Introverts

I was listening to adventurer and explorer Ben Fogle speaking about why being alone in nature offers us a personal challenge.  It got me thinking about the Celtic hermetic tradition of the first millenium AD where monks would isolate themselves in very remote places, frequently alone, and I wondered if Ben and the monks share a motivation.

Humans are a social animal, meaning that we would not enjoy the survival our species has had were it not for the way that we group together and work collectively.  The tasks of food gathering, rearing children, developing tools and technology, all of these require more than one of us to progress.  Going off alone into the wilderness presents a real risk.  And it's not just a matter of skills, experience or training, but a matter of mind, of spirit, of fear and resolve.

In early Medieval Scottish Christian history there was a proliferation of Cille:  Stone cells where early Irish Christian monks lived in remote areas of the Scottish west coast, sometimes in small communities, but apparently founded by solo hermits.

[Photo: Aileach an Naoimh, just half a mile long and 200 yards wide, by author] 

In the middle of the Firth of Lorn, in the Southern Hebrides, lies a short chain of four islands rendered more remote than the few miles of sea around them by whirlpools, tidal gates and surges.  They are collectively called Na Garbh Aileach - the rough stony place.  One of them is known as Aileach an Naoimh - the saint's stony place.  Here in about 525 AD an early Irish missionary created a monk's cell (some of which still survives).  You might be familiar with the more famous Skellig Mhicheal of the west of Ireland.  These two communities were very similar in religion, purpose and the 'Beehive’ dwellings.

[Photo Skelig Mhicheal by Philip Kosloski]

Many spiritual traditions have this hermetic tradition:  you go into the wilderness and come up against yourself, against your fears.  You step into risk.  As Ben Fogle said in his interview "The wilderness strips you of any bravado".  That is an important tenet in Celtic Christianity at least. Ben explains "Using risk helps me to grow".

In the late 20th century a Londoner and his girlfriend decided to re-inhabit the largest of the Garvelach islands.  They rebuilt a broken down dwelling with the materials they could find and foraged food.  There was a boat that came very infrequently, in passing, and could bring items.  Apparently "Have you brought chocolate?" was the girlfriend's most pressing question of the skipper.  She didn't stay too long on the island.  He lasted two years. (See scans of the article.)

I heard a lovely definition of introvert / extrovert personalities recently:  an introvert can recharge themselves while alone; an extrovert needs to be around other people to rest, relax and recuperate.  In practice this would mean that an introvert can bring themselves back to balance by a solo hill walk, while an extrovert needs the Friday night out with the girls. Does this play a part in the need for wilderness for some, but not all of us?  Is this part of the root of the Celtic hermetic tradition?

I have managed to visit Aileach an Naoimh twice (by chartered boat) and seen the cells where monks lived more than 1000 years ago.  I really would like to include it on the new Pilgrimage to the Inner Isles tour that I am hosting.  It’s a thought provoking place.

[Photo Eithne’s Grave, mother of Saint Columba, by author.]

[shirlotti]

Today's visitor ❤💓❤ #deer #campbeltown #kintyre #kintyrepeninsula #scotland #westcoastofscotland #argyll #lovenature #mygarden #beautifuldeer #oatfield #lovescotland (at Mull of Kintyre) https://www.instagram.com/p/B4p-IC2FSH0/?igshid=11o4rdxaziab1

[artshed18]

Loch Broom was a mood on the way home...good to be back though... #lochbroom #westcoastofscotland #holidays #summer #2019 (at Northfield, Aberdeen City) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1W520eFoN8/?igshid=c270hbve7f1a

[gulfart]

Clachtoll beach near Ullapool. A sketchbook watercolour painted on location looking into the midday sunlight. This should work up well into a larger studio painting. #clachtoll #clachtollbeach #ullapool #scotland #scotlandpainting #westcoastofscotland #westcoastofscotlandbeaches #whitesands #turquoisewater #turquiosesea #watercolour #sketchbook #sketchbookpainting (at Alan Reed Art) https://www.instagram.com/p/CfGgbLQIVAc/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[melodychic]

west coast adventures part 2

[mallelondon]

The Great Malle Rally 2021 - Stage #5 There’s a good reason this is the second longest day on the Rally - 277 miles of the most incredible Loch hugging, mountain winding roads, weaving their way up through the most iconic landscapes of west Scotland. Riders navigate their way around Ben Nevis, up over the infamous Applecross Pass and along the west coast of the highlands. Stage #5 evening camp is at a historic estate. Riders wind down for the evening after a cool river plunge, with a delicious meal and live entertainment from the estate hosts. What a day!!! Godspeed! 🗺🏍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 📷 @amyshorephotography #TheGreatMalleRally #StageFive #Scotland #WestCoastofScotland #TheHighlands #ApplecrossPass #BenNevis #1500Miles #Rally #motorcycle #adventure #motorcycleadventure #InappropriateMotorcycle #Custom #Classic #CafeRacer #Chopper #Malle #MalleLondon #GreatBritain #MotorcycleRally #PreparedToGetLost #Freedom #TheGreatMalleRally2021 (at Scotland) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQrB1soMpVQ/?utm_medium=tumblr

[albagamefishing]

Dreich weather and happy clients touring Lochaber today finishing up with dinner in the @lochlevenseafoodcafe which was as excellent as ever . . . . #lochaber #caledoniancanal #glencoe #scottishtour #albagamefishing #hiddengemsofscotland #westcoastofscotland # (at Ballachulish, Highland) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bx5aRoXhCYO/?igshid=ni3q3xj5hjag

[bushnooknights-blog]

A #seatwithaview and what a view looking south west over Loch Melfort to Crinan and Jura in Argyle and Bute . #seatwithaview #westcoastofscotland #argyllandbute (at Melfort Village) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrV8XTsgJP-/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=l52x0jbd88r1

[bluesoul97]

Victoria Falls near Loch Maree. . . . . #lochmaree #victoriafalls #westcoastofscotland #westcoast #highlandsofscotland #highlands #waterfall (at Loch Maree) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRQyNRcrXUZ/?utm_medium=tumblr