West Coast Inspirtaion

We have just enjoyed a long weekend camping in Ullapool and I thought I'd share some photos from our trip! 

We arrived at the campsite on the shores of Loch Broom quite late in the evening and after getting the tent up, were rewarded with this beautiful sunset.

The breeze got up enough to scare away the midgies so it was possible to have a glass of wine on the stony beach. 

After the sun dropped below the horizon, all these beautiful colours were reflected in the water with the seaweed creating a really interesting effect.

I always wake up really early in a tent but usually manage to doze off again. Not so last Saturday as someone was very inconsiderately flying a drone back and forth at 6am!

I gave up on sleep and went for a walk along Shore Street and got this lovely morning view of Loch Broom and the harbour.

Needless to say I was a bit tired for the rest of the day but we invigorated ourselves with a dip in the sea at Achmelvich.

There are two beaches at this lovely little spot and we walked over the headland to the second one for a more secluded swim. It was gloriously refreshing (ie freezing!) and we managed to get dried and dressed before the rain showers blew in.

Just up the coast a bit is beautiful Clachtoll. I really wanted to camp here but for the time we had, Ullapool made a better base. I have been round this bit of coastline before but it was ten years ago and I didn't really remember it. I also did not do my research properly and missed the opportunity to visit Ripples Crafts as by the time we passed there, it was too late to visit.

We did walk out to the broch though and really enjoyed the sea views.

I have rarely enjoyed a cup of tea so much as the one we got at Flossie's Beach Store. Having been up so early, hiked over headlands and swam in the sea, I really needed a cup of tea!

We got back to torrential rain in Ullapool which thankfully stopped by the time we got into our tent. I took the photo below at 11pm! I couldn't believe how much colour there was in the sky at that time of night.

On Sunday we took it easy again and went for a gentle stroll along the coast at Achnahaird. 

We were tempted to swim again but it was really breezy and we were enjoying being warm and dry.

After a tea stop at the Summer Isles hotel in Achiltibuie, we back tracked and walked the ridge at Knockan Crag which gives stunning views through the hills to Stac Polly.

We only got rained on a little bit and it was a really accessible walk. 

We enjoyed a delicious meal at the Argyll Hotel back in Ullapool on Sunday night and came out to this view over Loch Broom late evening. No matter what the weather does in this part of the world, it can be stunning, wild, tranquil or atmospheric. We really enjoyed our long weekend and now I must put some of the inspiration collected here and on Skye back in April, into my work!

A couple of new things in my Etsy shop this week include these two cushions.

Wee Coo Cushion £40

Lambing Time Cushion £40

You can also find an exhibition of my work at Lagom Felt Studio in Crieff.

Tracy has a selection of my framed pictures, brooches, pendants, earrings, cards and calendars in her beautiful shop until the end of June.