Phew! Heat in the Highlands!

Today got warmer and warmer and although it probably didn't reach the heights of the temperatures further south it was quite something for the North West Highlands.

We had intended going into Ullapool this morning as I needed a bank and one or two there things but we ended up spending the morning here in Coigach firstly visiting the Achiltibuie Artists at the Community centre recommended by blipper Woolyheaded. Sadly she wasn't there but I did see some of here work and met the delightful Ann Marie Firth Bernard and saw lots of her wonderful textile art and Harris Tweed goods. Could,have bought them all!mthe hall itself was very impressive too built only a few years ago. After coffee at the Piping School cafe, we did a bit of a tour of Coigach taking in the changes since last year. In the end we decided to go back to the house for lunch and then set off to Ullapool.

It was definitely summer when we got there and people were out in shorts and summer T shirts revelling in it. We sat outside the Tea shop here on Shore Street enjoying the view of the harbour, in particular a 3 masted tall ship, the Christian Radich from Oslo. We have seen them here before mainly crewed by children but this seemed more mixed though we were watching some of the younger ones climbing the rigging.

Further on Shore Street we sat enjoying the sun and waited for the Calmac Ferry, the Loch Seaforth to come in from Stornaway on the Isle of Lewis. This is a new, faster boat commissioned since we were here last when they were modifying the port to receive it and it is the one we will be taking on Saturday morning. ( see extra )

On the way back we took the short road to Rhue to do the very short walk to Rhue Lighthouse at the mouth of Loch Broom looking out over the Minch and the Summer Isles. We waited for the Loch Seaforth to pass on its return journey across the Minch to Stornaway.

Whilst waiting, the warm breeze which had been tempering the heat all day dropped and it became very sultry. Right on schedule the midges came out! Thank fully it soon came back and as the ferry disappeared round the Summer Isles and out of view we beat a quick retreat and left them to the fishermen! (The light on the Minch and Rhue lighthouse is in my other extra today)
A lovely end to June.