We headed northwest on the main highway to Ullapool, stopping at a few places along the way. We also saw lots of fancy cars: Porsches, Ferraris, Lamborghinis, etc. There was a driving tour that week to promote Scottich tourism. I got two more life birds at our first wildlife stop on the way to Ullapool. We saw a Black-throated Diver (Loon, #648) on her nest, and Meadow Pipits (#649) nearby.

Tour Map

We stopped at a deep gorge and hiked the trail. I got another lifebird here: Willow Warbler (# 650). After getting to the first bridge, most of the group headed back to the bus, but I continued to the second bridge for a photo. Our guide, Jonathan, accompanied me. On the way back, we were interviewed by Scottish BBC radio reporters. They asked if the auto tour was affecting our wildlife viewing.

Gorge

View from the bus

We made a rest stop in the port town of Ullapool, where I saw a few avian species.

Ullapool harbor

Jonathan had told us that we were going to have a picnic lunch under a tent along the way. We were expecting sandwiches under a tarp. We stopped at the ruins of an old stone castle, and were surpised to see the "tent." Warwick and his wife, Becky, were there, along with a staff that served us a three course meal, including wine, beer, and other beverages. Just after we entered the tent, heavy rains and strong winds moved in, and some of the lunch staff had to steady the tent to keep it from collapsing. We learned a few days later that Becky had gone in labor the next day and had a baby girl, and it was lucky that she didn't go into labor at the tent site! I saw two more life birds there: Common Sandpipers (# 651) and a Buzzard (hawk, #652 but only a poor photo). We continued on after lunch, and saw Red Deer along the highway.

NatHab tent