Herb Riddle's photos with the keyword: Kintyre

After a lengthy mile hike along this wet shingle causeway to Davaar Island, most people need a sit down. We have already done the walk to here, and now after exploring this western half of the Island, it is time to walk back before the tide turns and cuts us off. The main coastline and sea is to the left of the causeway and the wavy track points the way to the far off road and houses. One has to be careful here and know the tidal times and conditions. In 2008 Len Bennet, the inhabitant of Light Keeper’s House, sadly died crossing this at night. Enjoy full size and enjoy your week in safety.

A trip to this Island is not complete without visiting its lighthouse. Unfortunately it is now a private holiday accommodation meaning a closer look was not possible. As can be seen, a very damp and miserable weather day and so the retro photo treatment seems to match the mood. The land mass across the water is the eastern coast of Kintyre. After visiting this we had a further walk to the craggy cave side southern shore before setting off back again in torrential rain along the mile long sand and stone tidal causeway to the mainland before the tide came back in. The lighthouse, listed as a building of Architectural and Historic Interest, is situated on the island’s northern tip. It was established in 1854 and designed by Northern Lighthouse Board engineers, David and Thomas Stevenson. Enjoy full screen. See PiPs for other views.

The view up the lane to the lighthouse. This is normally as far as one would go. For the adventurous, it did look like a grand view may have been had from the top of the hill on the right but a drone might have been more in order as everything was drenched with recent heavy rains. See next photo for alternative views.

Between Carradle and Saddell on Kyntyre, we stop for a relax and photo stop. A rather nice little bay with views here to Carradle and the north east coast of Kntyre. We did in fact walk around the small rocky headland that you see just across the bay here. The shoreline rocks have a lot of character as can be seen. Nice full size.

Back on Kintyre, Scotland. This memorial bench situated just behind the ruined Abby. Looking North West here. (See preceding photo for more of the actual Abbey.) Enjoy full size and enjoy your week in safety.

Standing amongst a graveyard is this ancient Abbey. Building of the abbey began in 1148 and it is thought that the end came in 1493. We see here the remains of the north transept and choir of the abbey church. Nothing is left of the much larger nave and the south transept of the church. And almost nothing remains of the square of buildings surrounding a cloister that once stood to the south of the abbey church. more info: www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/carradale/saddellabbey/index.html Enjoy full screen and have a great week.

Back in Skipness, Kintyre, we have visited the castle and church and now take the little woodland walk through wild paths, brooks and trees. Here we cross over the little river on this old packhorse style bridge. A marvellous sight but quite difficult to capture in its full splendidness. As we walk we are accompanied by the smell of wild garlic and the sound of the babbling brook. Enjoy full screen.

Standing at the old fine gatehouse of Skipness Castle. A fine set of gates leads us into the old lane to the castle itself. I liked the ornate pillars here as well as the gates. The Pips shows the Gatehouse and the Castle itself. Have a great weekend.

Another castle with some history, near the village of Skipness, standing about 20 miles north of our base here on Kintyre, “The main structure of the castle was built in the early 13th century by the Clan MacSween, with later fortifications and other additions made to the castle through the 13th, 14th and 16th centuries. The castle was garrisoned with royal troops in 1494, during King James IV of Scotland's suppression of the Isles. Archibald Campbell, 2nd Earl of Argyll, granted Skipness to his younger son, Archibald Campbell, in 1511. During the Wars of the Three Kingdoms in 1646, the castle was besieged by forces under the command of Alasdair Mac Colla. During the siege, Alasdair's brother, Gilleasbuig Mac Colla, was killed in August 1646. The castle was abandoned in the 17th century The Green Lady of Skipness Castle is said to haunt the location.” WiKi See Pip’s for alternative views. Enjoy full screen.

A springtime look at these wild flower fields just near the castle, Enjoy full screen.

Another bench on the coast, taken on our recent trip to Scotland. We are here in the tiny hamlet of Keil on the very tip of the Mull of Kintyre. In the distance looking south east, we can see ‘Sanda Island’ with its smaller partner ‘Sheep Island’. In the far distance is the feint but very distinctive pudding shape of ‘Ailsa Craig’, an Island I once visited on my very first trip to Scotland about 50 years ago. Enjoy full size and enjoy your week in safety.

Another view of this Island, this time in its entirety. You can also see the access to the Island via the causeway that is underwater twice a day. Taken from the mainland almost a mile away, just before coming into Cambeltown. We were to visit this Island and lighthouse some days later in heavy rain. Yes, we have a fence too, a little smaller in my picture than normal but running across the entire scene. The PiP shows a closer view of the lighthouse. Enjoy full screen and enjoy the weekend.

Just south of Machihanish, a wonderful coastal walk brings you to this landscape. While we see nice seabirds on the water, I also spot a bird of prey flying around the top edge of these cliffs. See the PiP for closer look at the big outcrop. Enjoy full screen.

A sister photo to the next on here showing the big outcrop here at The Gaudrons at Machrihanish. As rabbits hop about we also see birds of pray hovering above. A wild spot for us. Have a good weekend.

Also called the 'harbour seal' . Seen near the Marine Environmental Research Laboratory at Machrihanish on the Mull of Kintyre. See PiP

Another view of the Marine Environmental Research Laboratory at Machrihanish, this time with a closer look at the seals too.. See PiP

Its still water here near the village. This spot that looks so far from civilisation is almost in the back garden of a local row of houses, one of which must be the home of the owner of this boat. At times seals and sea otters visit here. Enjoy full screen.