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Scotland and England, Spring 1995
page three
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Thought to be the first Christian site in Scotland, the tiny island of Iona -- one mile wide, 3.5 miles long -- is a treat to visit. To get there by ferry from the Isle of Mull, you have to drive through through the mountains and lochs of Southern Mull to get to the port at Fionnphort. From there, the ferry ride is about five minutes. The abbey [photo left] is a "must-see" but the real sights are the glorious shoreline views [photo right] you can get by simply stretching your legs and walking in any direction from the ferry.
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From Iona, boats go to Staffa, an even smaller uninhabited island that boasts spectacular columns of basalt, many topped by flowers [photo left]. In fact, Staffa means "Pillar Island." The island is also home to many caves, the largest of which is Fingal's Cave [photo right] -- 227 feet deep and 66 feet high.
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Back on the mainland and headed south, it was time to see Hadrian's Wall [photo left]. After the Romans had had several expensive battles with the northern tribes of Caledonia, the Emperor Hadrian in 122 A.D. ordered the construction of a great defensive wall to mark the northern borders of Roman territory. Much of the wall remains in spectacularly good condition today.
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| I wish I knew where in Scotland or England this photo [right] was taken. All I know for sure is that it was near the border and was simply stunning as the hills were reflected in the water at their base.
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Back in England in the North Pennines area, I spent a day hiking through a wooded area where some of the spring flowers were hiding in the undergrowth. This one seemed to be asking to have its picture taken. The best part about this area is that within only a few minutes you can drive from woodland to moorland.
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| Still in the North Pennines, the brownish color of the water in this waterfall caught my eye. I am told that it's the result of runoff from peat. Then, alas, after a rainy day driving straight south, it was back to Heathrow and home.
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