September 1, 2016 - Tanya's Magical Anniversary Trip - Day 16 - Outer Hebrides AND Lighthouses of Scotland

Elisa's Daily Scoop

Lighthouses of Scotland

Hey Guys!  New Month here!!  Yup, for most of us, it's the back to school month - 5 days to go!

The good news in our house is that it is also the month of Kelsey's birthday - she will move into the double digits this year!  Yup - my baby will be 10 years old.

I'll be talking more about her birthday in the coming weeks, as her special day is the 14th and we've got some fun stuff planned for the barn and a local amusement park to celebrate!
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Neist Point Lighthouse on the Isle of Skye in Scotland - one of the most famous lighthouses (credit: isleofskye.com)

Lighthouses & More Lighthouses...

Tanya and I were talking the other night - me in New York  and she in Outer Hebrides - (well, we were texting, actually) and she was telling me that an interesting thing for me to talk about would be the Lighthouses of Scotland.

I decided to some research and was compelled by what I read!!

​Did you know?
Nearly all the lighthouses in Scotland were designed by and most were built by the Stevenson family who, over five generations from 1786 to 1952, contributed significantly to the nation’s infrastructure and international lighthouse engineering.  

​This endeavor also included Thomas Smith, who was both the stepfather and father-in-law of Robert Stevenson.

That's right folks! For over one hundred and fifty years Robert Stevenson and his descendants designed most of Scotland's Lighthouses.

"Battling against the odds and the elements - the Stevensons constructed wonders of engineering that have withstood the test of time, an amazing historical achievement."- nlb.org

Why so many lighthouses?
Well, Scotland has a long coastline and many islands - the coast of mainland Scotland measures about 4174 miles but adding the islands of Arran, Islay and Jura, Shetland and Orkney, and the Western Isles brings the total coastline to 11,550 miles, according to the British Cartographic Society.

So lighthouses became an important feature on the Scottish coastal landscape.

As a result, the Scots made a major contribution to lighthouse building.  As mentioned, Robert Stevenson and his sons and grandsons, are recognized as the pioneers as well as Scottish physicist Sir David Brewster. 

Of course, the most famous of the Stevenson family is Robert Louis Stevenson, Robert's grandson, the Scottish novelist, poet, essayist, and travel writer. His most famous works are Treasure Island, Kidnapped, Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and A Child's Garden of Verses.

Robert Stevenson, Civil Engineer (credit: www.nlb.org.uk)

Brewster is credited with convincing the United Kingdom to adopt "Fresnel" lenses in their lighthouses, invented by a Frenchman.

Let's talk about two lighthouses in Scotland...

One of the most famous lighthouses in all of Scotland, is the Neist Point Lighthouse on the Isle of Skye, where Tanya visited last week. 

When Neist Point Lighthouse was built back in 1900, lighthouses were still manned. Today, the internal light system has be updated to an automated system and no longer requires daily maintenance.

The light is 43 meters above sea level and can be seen up to 16 nautical miles offshore!

Situated in the West Coast of Skye in the area known as ‘Durinish, Neist Point, which boasts some of the most gorgeous views from the high cliffs and the lighthouse itself  

It is said that at sunset,  the view is made even more brilliant, making this a top destination for landscape photographers.

The walk up to the lighthouse is about 2.2 miles with a single path.

Bell Rock Lighthouse, (credit: http://10mosttoday.com)

​Bell Rock Lighthouse is the world’s oldest surviving sea-washed lighthouse, off the coast of Angus, Scotland and was built on the Bell Rock in the North Sea, 11 miles east of the Firth of Tay.

Built between 1807 and 1810 by Robert Stevenson, it was first lit in 1811  It stands 115 feet tall and its light is visible from 35 statute miles inland.

The challenges faced in the building of the lighthouse have led to it being described as one of the Seven Wonders of the Industrial World.
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So, let me tell you what happened yesterday.

Punkin (c)travelincouins.com)

(c)travelincousins.com

Punkin at the barn (c)travelincousinscom)

The girls were scheduled to sleep at their barn friend's house after camp last night and Thursday night.

However, when Kelsey woke up, she decided that she was tired and and didn't want to ride nor sleep at her riding mate's house.

As a result, she did not wear riding clothes and didn't bring an overnight bag.

Cut to...when we arrived at the barn (all of us including Punkin), Kelsey got pretty emotional about the idea of not staying, riding and sleeping over.  

As she was crying, Gianna started crying. UGH. 

So, rather than have her be upset, I suggested we go over to Tanger to get a few pairs of leggings, t-shirts, socks and underwear for her to wear so she could ride and go to her sleepover. (I was not going to go buy her breeches with all pairs she has at home)

Well, as we were driving to the Outlets, she advises me that she really doesn't want to sleep over but could she stay for a few hours at the barn.

Before, I shot myself I said ok.  Now, why was I going to shoot myself, because I was only supposed to drop off Gianna and then head back home to get a bunch of things done.  

In the end, we went to a few stores (amazing sales!!! $20 for 2 pairs of leggings and 2 t-shirts), then headed back to the barn.

Me and Punkin were so tired, we took a nap together run the back of the SUV with the air on for about an hour, while Kelsey hung out in the arena.

The sacrifices we make for our kids.  

BUT - in the end, me, Kelsey and Punkin got some great bonding time, which was so fun!!

 See ya back tomorrow!!

-E
xoxo

"There is scarce a deep sea light from the Isle of Man to North Berwick, but one of my blood designed it. 
The Bell Rock stands monument for my grandfather; 
the Skerry Vhor for my uncle Alan; 
and when the lights come out along the shores of Scotland, 
I am proud to think that they burn more brightly for the genius of my father." 
​-Robert Louis Stevenson

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN:
THE OUTER HEBRIDES, SCOTLAND 

The Fun and Frustrations...

HIYA Guys!

So so very sorry that things have been a wee bit crazy out here with my wifi connections. Been driving me buggers!

And then for some reason the September 1st Daily Scoop was hidden behind the August 31st Daily Scoop - as if we needed anymore frustration with posting while I'm away.

As you know I really can't upload any pics from here - because each upload seems to take a day (only a slight exaggeration - but between the lag time and getting thrown off of the wifi - it is just not gonna happen until we have a more secure connection).

Can you believe that its September?!
WOW - that's all I can say right now. Just WOW.

Well, while over here and doing so so very much the days seem to smush together and they are kinda hard to keep track of. 

This is what happened yesterday (Aug 31).

Pedaling Adventures From Harris to Lewis on Harris and Lewis 

My thoughts and so forth:

Well for starters based on the weather each day's itinerary is subject to change. 
And since we've definitely had our share of weather - crazy winds and rain that are oh so common on these islands - guess what...our plans have changed over and over again. 

And since knowing me I'm sure you could imagine with each change how frustrated I've been getting.

I am a real stickler when it comes to sticking with plans and schedules. And while I thoroughly understand making adjustments based on weather and safety. I'm having a difficult time coping with oh so many changes...on the fly.

Plus I'm not the only one, as I know of another member of our party who is getting quite frustrated with things being "chopped" from our program. 

But when you travel in a group, there is one thing you simply do not have and must release - control.

Perhaps this is one reason why I don't do much group travel.  
I've been told I'm a control freak...and maybe there's some truth to that!

Kind of trapped - can't do or see as I please.
But full on knowing this when we signed up.
The staff/guides have been wonderful and as accommodating as possible. And we are having a good time. But it's just not quite what we were expecting.
 
Only got to ride 42k, and then at lunch time got our day got changed again and we were taken with the van to go see the only "legal" Whiskey Distillery of the islands.

It was very rustic and made very authentically, quite interesting and I can't wait to share pics with you...when I can.

After that we headed on over to catch a RIB (or Zodiak). That was great fun and we spotted some lovely wildlife. 

Our stay for the next 2 nights is at a Bed & Breakfast - wish me well (as I am not a huge fan of B&Bs).

Catch ya back here when I can finally upload pictures.

Ciao until tomorrow,
​-T

9/7/16 UPDATE: Photos uploads - will organize soon