Hebrides 1, Mallaig to Rhum.

Our redoubtable walking club recently went island hopping. Mallaig, our starting point was wet and windy, not unexpected but  bit disappointing as it meant we couldn't go to Fingal's cave as originally planned.

 As we approached, the weather started to improve. The wildlife was spectacular. No foxes so many residents had chickens running loose, brilliant slug control allowing hostas like jungles!

Rather windswept red deer, Cervus elaphus. Its home territory spreads right through to Asia.

             Common butterwort, Pinguicula vulgaris, neither common nor vulgar, just mildly carnivorous.

Crab-hunting hooded crow, Corvus cornix.

                                         

Grey heron, Ardea cinerea, also hunting crabs, the bulge in his neck is one on the way down.

Eider Duck, Somateria mollissima "softest or most delicate" perfect for old fashioned eiderdowns.

Maidenhair spleenwort, Asplenium trichomanes. Extraordinary how something so delicate cah hang on to a dry wall and thrive.

                                        

Kinloch Castle was built in the 1890s, basically as a hide-away location for disreputable parties without upsetting neighbours. Until last year it was a hostel, possibly the most lavish in the world, sadly replaced by portacabins until the new one is finished. Major renovations are planned. We shared the portacabins with 3 postgraduate students studying a rare newt disease.

Small detail of the back gate. The castle itself had some fine stained glass windows, sadly just tantalising glimpses from the outside.

                                               The main purpose of our trip; mountains!

                                       

                                                          Looking towards Canna

and down to Kinloch