The Oyster Shed is located in the village of Carbost, 1 minute from the Talisker Distillery on the Isle of Skye.
Other local products include smoked salmon, mussels, prawns, scallop meat, smoked Scottish game and a selection of cheeses and chutneys. Other products are available depending on seasonal conditions.
Oysters π¦ͺ plus views across Loch Harport π’ ? Who needs frills? Kisses π
I continue my exploration of castles π° in the west of the Highlands β°οΈ . Dunvegan Castle on the Isle of Skye is one of the largest Hebridean castles. And it is the only one that has been owned by one family for 800 years, the Chiefs of Clan MacLeod. What's more, it has been continuously inhabited since that time! Restored again and again, it is one of the few that are still very well preserved.
There is a small landing stage on the shore below the castle from where you can take a boat to the seals. The garden is worth seeing, with waterfalls and a water lily pond, plants with huge leaves, bridges over streams and small woods that you can walk through at a leisurely pace.Β And even typical English-Scottish weather βοΈ π§οΈ doesn't dampen my desire to explore! Sun βοΈ shines in me πKisses π
The Costa Brava (Catalan and Spanish for "wild coast") is the north-easternmost strip of the Spanish Mediterranean coast.
It has many faces. Wide beaches, bays surrounded by pine trees and steep cliffs, but also the surreal-looking rocky landscapes of Cap de Creus characterise Catalonia's "wild" coast. And I completely underestimated it. For me, the Costa Brava used to be all about "party", "Lloret de Mar" and "cheap hotels". Far from it. When I was there for about 30 hours, I immediately felt relaxed and calm.
On the Costa Brava you have both sea and mountains. Just 50 kilometres separate the coast from the foothills of the Pyrenees. There are countless beautiful beaches on the Costa Brava. Some sandy beaches can be found in quiet bays, while other beaches with their stones and rocks match the rugged coastal landscape.
Incidentally, Salvador DalΓ was at home here and lived in a studio on the coast for decades. Hollywood celebrities also fell in love with this enchanting coastal strip and some of them can be found today in the various small towns with partly old, partly modern, but always beautiful architecture, who love the tranquillity here. Kisses π
Spain's Barcelona, the pearl on the Mediterranean, is the capital of the Catalans, deeply characterised by its location on the Mediterranean and a long history as an important port city. Barcelona preserves the evidence of thousands of years of culture, cherishes its traditions and is also one of the most dynamic and creative metropolises in Europe. High above the rooftops, I then enjoyed a champagne aperitif π₯ in the warm light of the setting sun. And then in the evening to the fantastic Bar Galileo for a cocktail πΈ Location: Majestic Hotel & Spa. Kisses π
And what do you do in Oban, the "gateway to the islands"? Of course. A sea life adventures tour by boat. I saw lots of birds π¦ - including an eagle π¦ - sea lions π¦ , otters, beavers π¦«, dolphins π¬ and even a whale π in the company of a nice and friendly tour guide. Apart from an incredibly green landscape! Even the catering with tea βοΈ and biscuits πͺ was great! Kisses π
I took a tour along the dramatic coastline in the west of Scotland and travelled to Oban. The small town is a sweet place and not known as the "Gateway to the Isles" for nothing - after all, it is the starting point for many journeys to the Inner and Outer Hebrides. In fact, no town in Scotland has more ferry connections than Oban. Kisses π
The beautiful, sweet and heritage-listed village of Luss lies on the western shore of Loch Lomond. With its pretty, identical sandstone and slate houses adorned with climbing roses and its narrow sand and pebble beach, the village has even been used as a TV filming location. It's absolutely worth it here! I have almost fallen in love with this village! Kisses π
On my trip to the north of Scotland, I travelled from the Lowlands to the Highlands. I stopped off at Loch Lomond - the largest lake in Scotland and the UK. An incredibly beautiful, vast landscape combined with charming villages and mountains all around. And with that, I'm already under its spell. The lake is said to be the most beautiful in Scotland - and I'm inclined to agree! It radiates an incredible sense of calm. Kisses π
Next, I headed towards Galloway and my first overnight stay on Scottish soil. Torres Warren Countray House is set in beautiful countryside in the south-west of Scotland in the Rhins region of Dumfries and Galloway in the Scottish Borders. It really is a home from home with two fireplaces, books, lounges and a conservatory. It's ultra comfortable and cozy here and you feel like you're in your own country cottage. The hotel is a former vicarage set in its own gardens on two and a half acres overlooking the sea. It is a good base from which to explore the surrounding area. Offering warm, comfortable surroundings, beautiful gardens, a pond, a beer garden and sea views, the hotel is sweet and small with just 10 rooms decorated in a Scottish tartan style. I met the boss: very accommodating, friendly. The food: great. And: They have Alpakas thereβ¦.. Awwwwwwww π Kisses π
Standing here, you realise why Queen Mary Queen of Scots spent her last hours here before fleeing to England after losing the battle. What a well-preserved site one of 13 former Cistercian abbeys is Dundrennan Abbey vo, 1142, located in the Galloway region. There is a peaceful tranquillity here and impressive architecture to marvel at - some of the best early Gothic architecture in Scotland. Yes, I also really like history π Kisses π
From the Torrs Warren Country House Hotel, I travelled to my next overnight stay at Glenapp Castle, a castle built in 1870, around 2.4 km south-east of Ballantrae in the Scottish administrative unit of South Ayrshire. The former family seat of the Earls of Inchcap is now a hotel and restaurant. And what a hotel! π° You can feel like a princess here π! And these gardens! πΈ πΌ The almost 15 hectares are absolutely safe from prying eyes and are for the exclusive use of hotel guests. There are numerous rare plant species and shrubs to discover here, as well as splendidly flowering rhododendrons. A wonderful orangery invites you to relax and linger. Mysterious paths wind their way around the azalea pond to the impressive Victorian glass house. Kisses π
The Mull of Galloway Lighthouse is a lighthouse on the Cape Mull of Galloway in the Scottish council area of Dumfries and Galloway. The Mull of Galloway is the most southerly point and the lighthouse is the most southerly structure in Scotland. If you climb the 115 steps of the country's southernmost lighthouse, you can enjoy one of the best views in the whole of south-west Scotland. (No, I'm not going up there, I'm afraid of heights.....) In good weather conditions, the view extends as far as Cumbria in England, the Isle of Man and Ireland. The Mull of Galloway Lighthouse stands on a cliff almost 80 metres high and was built by Robert Stevenson. Construction work began in 1828 and lasted two years. The lamp, which is located 99 metres above sea level, was lit for the first time on 26 March 1830 and is still fully functional today. What an idyll there. Tip: arrive early. Then you can really enjoy the peace and quiet up here on your own! Kisses π
