The Time-Turner Series – Losing Myself to the Haunting Memories of Scottish Highlands

Random Shots from Scottish Highlands.Red roof cottage at Torridon. This is perhaps the most photographed cottage in Scotland owing to its picturesque location next to Loch Sheildaig. I couldn't do any better than this with my little point-and-shoot and the bad lighting. Perhaps a better photographer could've fared better. Click here to see other more impressive images of the cottage. A tiny boat at the Applecross Inn at Applecross. Even if the landscape was dull, such little colorful objects are always around to add some character. Some pet sheep and deer. We seem to have caught the attention of some deer. :) A wild stream running through the untamed landscape covered with the purple heather and other bog vegetation. There are many such streams in Scotland. Rocky hillocks rising out of the bog. This place seems straight out of a fairytale. I came across so many places where I felt like setting up a cottage and settling down for the rest of my life. Remember when I said that wild streams are very common in this landscape. Well, here's the proof. :) Who else finds this sign funny? I do...And this is the cliff they were talking about in the sign before. One misstep will lead to certain death. But it is beautiful, nevertheless. And a perfect place to sit and take it all in. I wanted to be left alone here. However, I know I wouldn't be able to survive a night in the open in this weather. It was so wet and cold. Heather, moss, and cliffs. A typical view in the Scottish Highlands. I have no words to describe the place. Majestic, pristine, beautiful enough to bring tears to your eyes. A place where I would like to be laid to rest where I can be one with the elements.Scottish Highlands, Scotland, Isle of Skye, Heather, Bog, peat


This weekend we happened to be driving through Himachal Pradesh from Naina Devi to Hamirpur. Driving through the Bhakra Nangal Dam, we drove a good 3 hours alongside Govind Sagar through dense green forest. Interspersed with calls of myriad birds while a light rain sprinkled our windscreen, the drive was peaceful and because there was hardly any traffic on the route, it was distraction free.



Random Shots from Scottish Highlands.Red roof cottage at Torridon. This is perhaps the most photographed cottage in Scotland owing to its picturesque location next to Loch Sheildaig. I couldn't do any better than this with my little point-and-shoot and the bad lighting. Perhaps a better photographer could've fared better. Click here to see other more impressive images of the cottage. A tiny boat at the Applecross Inn at Applecross. Even if the landscape was dull, such little colorful objects are always around to add some character. Some pet sheep and deer. We seem to have caught the attention of some deer. :) A wild stream running through the untamed landscape covered with the purple heather and other bog vegetation. There are many such streams in Scotland. Rocky hillocks rising out of the bog. This place seems straight out of a fairytale. I came across so many places where I felt like setting up a cottage and settling down for the rest of my life. Remember when I said that wild streams are very common in this landscape. Well, here's the proof. :) Who else finds this sign funny? I do...And this is the cliff they were talking about in the sign before. One misstep will lead to certain death. But it is beautiful, nevertheless. And a perfect place to sit and take it all in. I wanted to be left alone here. However, I know I wouldn't be able to survive a night in the open in this weather. It was so wet and cold. Heather, moss, and cliffs. A typical view in the Scottish Highlands. I have no words to describe the place. Majestic, pristine, beautiful enough to bring tears to your eyes. A place where I would like to be laid to rest where I can be one with the elements.Scottish Highlands, Scotland, Isle of Skye, Heather, Bog, peat
The drive reminded me of another surreal landscape that is imprinted on my mind ever since I saw it. It was my five-day long drive through the Scottish Highlands in the year 2011. Of course there is no comparison between the two landscapes. Both are beautiful, both are serene, but the Scottish Highlands are boggy, grassy hills with covered with purple heather with rare, scattered human population and Himachal is tree-covered, lush green, dotted with tiny quaint villages. I think it was how Himachal made me feel that reminded me of the Scottish Highlands.

Random Shots from Scottish Highlands.Red roof cottage at Torridon. This is perhaps the most photographed cottage in Scotland owing to its picturesque location next to Loch Sheildaig. I couldn't do any better than this with my little point-and-shoot and the bad lighting. Perhaps a better photographer could've fared better. Click here to see other more impressive images of the cottage. A tiny boat at the Applecross Inn at Applecross. Even if the landscape was dull, such little colorful objects are always around to add some character. Some pet sheep and deer. We seem to have caught the attention of some deer. :) A wild stream running through the untamed landscape covered with the purple heather and other bog vegetation. There are many such streams in Scotland. Rocky hillocks rising out of the bog. This place seems straight out of a fairytale. I came across so many places where I felt like setting up a cottage and settling down for the rest of my life. Remember when I said that wild streams are very common in this landscape. Well, here's the proof. :) Who else finds this sign funny? I do...And this is the cliff they were talking about in the sign before. One misstep will lead to certain death. But it is beautiful, nevertheless. And a perfect place to sit and take it all in. I wanted to be left alone here. However, I know I wouldn't be able to survive a night in the open in this weather. It was so wet and cold. Heather, moss, and cliffs. A typical view in the Scottish Highlands. I have no words to describe the place. Majestic, pristine, beautiful enough to bring tears to your eyes. A place where I would like to be laid to rest where I can be one with the elements.Scottish Highlands, Scotland, Isle of Skye, Heather, Bog, peat

The Scottish Highlands trip happened in a September when Salmons are still jumping and the biting winter cold is still just lapping at the periphery. My trip covered the various Lochs of Scottish Highlands, the most spectacular of them being Loch Ness that hides within its depth the answer to one of the most interesting mystery that has puzzled mankind. Does the Loch Ness monster really exist? If yes, then how can something that huge stay hidden in a Loch of finite depth and circumference.

Random Shots from Scottish Highlands.Red roof cottage at Torridon. This is perhaps the most photographed cottage in Scotland owing to its picturesque location next to Loch Sheildaig. I couldn't do any better than this with my little point-and-shoot and the bad lighting. Perhaps a better photographer could've fared better. Click here to see other more impressive images of the cottage. A tiny boat at the Applecross Inn at Applecross. Even if the landscape was dull, such little colorful objects are always around to add some character. Some pet sheep and deer. We seem to have caught the attention of some deer. :) A wild stream running through the untamed landscape covered with the purple heather and other bog vegetation. There are many such streams in Scotland. Rocky hillocks rising out of the bog. This place seems straight out of a fairytale. I came across so many places where I felt like setting up a cottage and settling down for the rest of my life. Remember when I said that wild streams are very common in this landscape. Well, here's the proof. :) Who else finds this sign funny? I do...And this is the cliff they were talking about in the sign before. One misstep will lead to certain death. But it is beautiful, nevertheless. And a perfect place to sit and take it all in. I wanted to be left alone here. However, I know I wouldn't be able to survive a night in the open in this weather. It was so wet and cold. Heather, moss, and cliffs. A typical view in the Scottish Highlands. I have no words to describe the place. Majestic, pristine, beautiful enough to bring tears to your eyes. A place where I would like to be laid to rest where I can be one with the elements.Scottish Highlands, Scotland, Isle of Skye, Heather, Bog, peat

My lasting impression is of a landscape that was so quiet that it could qualify as desolate if it wasn’t for the sheep and deer dotting the landscape. It was breathtaking, but its beauty was like that of sorrow and lonely tears. It felt like a land where a cold breeze could mean that you are amidst ancient spirits, where a dilapidated, run down cottage would surely have some eerie story associated with it.
Random Shots from Scottish Highlands.Red roof cottage at Torridon. This is perhaps the most photographed cottage in Scotland owing to its picturesque location next to Loch Sheildaig. I couldn't do any better than this with my little point-and-shoot and the bad lighting. Perhaps a better photographer could've fared better. Click here to see other more impressive images of the cottage. A tiny boat at the Applecross Inn at Applecross. Even if the landscape was dull, such little colorful objects are always around to add some character. Some pet sheep and deer. We seem to have caught the attention of some deer. :) A wild stream running through the untamed landscape covered with the purple heather and other bog vegetation. There are many such streams in Scotland. Rocky hillocks rising out of the bog. This place seems straight out of a fairytale. I came across so many places where I felt like setting up a cottage and settling down for the rest of my life. Remember when I said that wild streams are very common in this landscape. Well, here's the proof. :) Who else finds this sign funny? I do...And this is the cliff they were talking about in the sign before. One misstep will lead to certain death. But it is beautiful, nevertheless. And a perfect place to sit and take it all in. I wanted to be left alone here. However, I know I wouldn't be able to survive a night in the open in this weather. It was so wet and cold. Heather, moss, and cliffs. A typical view in the Scottish Highlands. I have no words to describe the place. Majestic, pristine, beautiful enough to bring tears to your eyes. A place where I would like to be laid to rest where I can be one with the elements.Scottish Highlands, Scotland, Isle of Skye, Heather, Bog, peat

When I close my eyes, it is still possible to recall that land in exquisite details. So striking was the landscape I can write countless time-turner posts on it. If you are planning a visit to the highlands and want to experience it the way I did, make sure you do so in the beginning of September, when autumn is just giving way to winter. I promise you, it will be one of the most memorable trip of your life.

Random Shots from Scottish Highlands.Red roof cottage at Torridon. This is perhaps the most photographed cottage in Scotland owing to its picturesque location next to Loch Sheildaig. I couldn't do any better than this with my little point-and-shoot and the bad lighting. Perhaps a better photographer could've fared better. Click here to see other more impressive images of the cottage. A tiny boat at the Applecross Inn at Applecross. Even if the landscape was dull, such little colorful objects are always around to add some character. Some pet sheep and deer. We seem to have caught the attention of some deer. :) A wild stream running through the untamed landscape covered with the purple heather and other bog vegetation. There are many such streams in Scotland. Rocky hillocks rising out of the bog. This place seems straight out of a fairytale. I came across so many places where I felt like setting up a cottage and settling down for the rest of my life. Remember when I said that wild streams are very common in this landscape. Well, here's the proof. :) Who else finds this sign funny? I do...And this is the cliff they were talking about in the sign before. One misstep will lead to certain death. But it is beautiful, nevertheless. And a perfect place to sit and take it all in. I wanted to be left alone here. However, I know I wouldn't be able to survive a night in the open in this weather. It was so wet and cold. Heather, moss, and cliffs. A typical view in the Scottish Highlands. I have no words to describe the place. Majestic, pristine, beautiful enough to bring tears to your eyes. A place where I would like to be laid to rest where I can be one with the elements.Scottish Highlands, Scotland, Isle of Skye, Heather, Bog, peat


Random Shots from Scottish Highlands.Red roof cottage at Torridon. This is perhaps the most photographed cottage in Scotland owing to its picturesque location next to Loch Sheildaig. I couldn't do any better than this with my little point-and-shoot and the bad lighting. Perhaps a better photographer could've fared better. Click here to see other more impressive images of the cottage. A tiny boat at the Applecross Inn at Applecross. Even if the landscape was dull, such little colorful objects are always around to add some character. Some pet sheep and deer. We seem to have caught the attention of some deer. :) A wild stream running through the untamed landscape covered with the purple heather and other bog vegetation. There are many such streams in Scotland. Rocky hillocks rising out of the bog. This place seems straight out of a fairytale. I came across so many places where I felt like setting up a cottage and settling down for the rest of my life. Remember when I said that wild streams are very common in this landscape. Well, here's the proof. :) Who else finds this sign funny? I do...And this is the cliff they were talking about in the sign before. One misstep will lead to certain death. But it is beautiful, nevertheless. And a perfect place to sit and take it all in. I wanted to be left alone here. However, I know I wouldn't be able to survive a night in the open in this weather. It was so wet and cold. Heather, moss, and cliffs. A typical view in the Scottish Highlands. I have no words to describe the place. Majestic, pristine, beautiful enough to bring tears to your eyes. A place where I would like to be laid to rest where I can be one with the elements.Scottish Highlands, Scotland, Isle of Skye, Heather, Bog, peat

Random Shots from Scottish Highlands.Red roof cottage at Torridon. This is perhaps the most photographed cottage in Scotland owing to its picturesque location next to Loch Sheildaig. I couldn't do any better than this with my little point-and-shoot and the bad lighting. Perhaps a better photographer could've fared better. Click here to see other more impressive images of the cottage. A tiny boat at the Applecross Inn at Applecross. Even if the landscape was dull, such little colorful objects are always around to add some character. Some pet sheep and deer. We seem to have caught the attention of some deer. :) A wild stream running through the untamed landscape covered with the purple heather and other bog vegetation. There are many such streams in Scotland. Rocky hillocks rising out of the bog. This place seems straight out of a fairytale. I came across so many places where I felt like setting up a cottage and settling down for the rest of my life. Remember when I said that wild streams are very common in this landscape. Well, here's the proof. :) Who else finds this sign funny? I do...And this is the cliff they were talking about in the sign before. One misstep will lead to certain death. But it is beautiful, nevertheless. And a perfect place to sit and take it all in. I wanted to be left alone here. However, I know I wouldn't be able to survive a night in the open in this weather. It was so wet and cold. Heather, moss, and cliffs. A typical view in the Scottish Highlands. I have no words to describe the place. Majestic, pristine, beautiful enough to bring tears to your eyes. A place where I would like to be laid to rest where I can be one with the elements.Scottish Highlands, Scotland, Isle of Skye, Heather, Bog, peat

Random Shots from Scottish Highlands.Red roof cottage at Torridon. This is perhaps the most photographed cottage in Scotland owing to its picturesque location next to Loch Sheildaig. I couldn't do any better than this with my little point-and-shoot and the bad lighting. Perhaps a better photographer could've fared better. Click here to see other more impressive images of the cottage. A tiny boat at the Applecross Inn at Applecross. Even if the landscape was dull, such little colorful objects are always around to add some character. Some pet sheep and deer. We seem to have caught the attention of some deer. :) A wild stream running through the untamed landscape covered with the purple heather and other bog vegetation. There are many such streams in Scotland. Rocky hillocks rising out of the bog. This place seems straight out of a fairytale. I came across so many places where I felt like setting up a cottage and settling down for the rest of my life. Remember when I said that wild streams are very common in this landscape. Well, here's the proof. :) Who else finds this sign funny? I do...And this is the cliff they were talking about in the sign before. One misstep will lead to certain death. But it is beautiful, nevertheless. And a perfect place to sit and take it all in. I wanted to be left alone here. However, I know I wouldn't be able to survive a night in the open in this weather. It was so wet and cold. Heather, moss, and cliffs. A typical view in the Scottish Highlands. I have no words to describe the place. Majestic, pristine, beautiful enough to bring tears to your eyes. A place where I would like to be laid to rest where I can be one with the elements.Scottish Highlands, Scotland, Isle of Skye, Heather, Bog, peat

If you liked this post and found it helpful, I would request you to follow these things when traveling -

- Manage your waste well and don’t litter
- Use dustbins. Tell us if you went to a place and found it hard to locate a dustbin.
- Avoid bottle waters in hills. Usually you get clean water in hills and water bottles create lot of mess in our ecosystem.
- Say big no to plastic and avoid those unhealthy snacks packed in plastic bags. Rather buy fruits.
- Don't play loud blaring music in forests of jungle camps. You are a guest in that ecosystem and disturbing the locals (humans and animals) is not polite 

Comments

sunaina sharma said…
What beautiful landscape....one could just write poetry on the awesome clicks you have shared.....I wonder what it would be if one was just immersed completely in this natural beauty...Loch Ness monster perhaps is resting somewhere hidden in the lap of nature....He doesn't wish to come out....:)
Vibha said…
Thank you Sunaina for your lovely comment. Long live Nessie!
divsi said…
Fabulous pics! :) looks straight out of a fairy tale!

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