Coddiwomple with Jeff and Gina: Ullapool

Good morning from beautiful Ullapool, Scotland! Today our planned outings are to hike to the Bones Cave, a short hike to see the ruins of Ardvreck Castle, a drive to a waterfall and to a Lighthouse. We also plan to stop at Lael Craft Gallery on the recommendation of a friend.

Our first trip this morning was to see the Allt Chranaidh Waterfall. The hike wasn't very long but it was over very rocky terrain. We definitely had to watch foot placement, especially since Gina was walking on a tender right ankle after she twisted it the day before. The falls were spectacular and well worth the hike.

Our next stop was to the ruins of Ardvreck Castle. It was built in 1490 and was fairly small for a Castle. At a later date stones were taken from the Castle to build another nearby structure called Calda House. Calda House burned down in 1737 and before it could be rebuilt the Crown seized both structures as punishment for the owners fighting against the Crown in the rebellion in 1745. Both Calda House & Advreck Castle remain in ruins. We thought that the people who lived in the castle had unparalleled views of the lake.

This was a spectacular view of the lake from one of the windows. What a peaceful way to start the day - we could imagine looking out this window while having a cup of coffee!

Our 3rd stop was the hike to the Bone Caves. Neither of us were sure how long this hike would be...turned out to be several kilometers (the sign said 4). The path was incredible rocky and it got very steep, especially once we got to the caves. Gina wasn't brave enough to go to the highest caves. Her fear of falling off a very steep, rocky path is obviously greater than Jeff's! She did brave climbing up to a couple of the lower caves. These caves got their name as when they were discovered there were bones from several different animal species in them.

This is the valley we had to walk down to get to the Bone Caves.

Though this picture doesn't show it, the path was very narrow and very high compared to the lower path in the background. Gina was terrified of stepping wrong and falling down the side!

Jeff kneeling inside one of the lower caves. It was dark and Jeff was using his phone flashlight to see into the nooks and crannies back there. The picture is bright because the flash had to be used on the camera.

We then stopped at the Rhue Lighthouse. The sheep were close to the car park and were voicing their displeasure with our presence very loudly. This hike wasn't as long, but it did involve a small amount of careful foot placement.