Tag: eilean donan castle

 

 

The first time we visited Eilean Donan Castle was more than nine years ago. We traveled north from Cumbria and stopped there on our way to Plockton. It was the first week in August, under a clear blue sky with only one other car in the car park.

A kayak floats over Loch Duich and I walk into the cafe to get some coffee. The terrace overlooking the castle is empty. We sit down at a picnic table when the kayaker comes ashore and gives us a big wave. “Mind if I join you?” he asks. One of the students on a Summer job in the cafe soon joins us too and brings a few pieces of cake. “Everyone you meet here is so interesting!” he says. Full of youth and dreams he tells us he is excited about the life in front of him. Full of years and dreams I realise that I am excited about the life in front of us too. We exchange a knowing glance with the kayaker and in that moment, even the castle looks young again.

one by one
birds land around the table
eyes twinkle

© Xenia Tran

 

 

Eilean Donan is a lot nearer now and we stop here on our way to Plockton. It is the first week in August and under a clear blue sky the car park is full.

A cheery attendant suggests we park on the other side of the bridge and come back on foot. The view of the castle from the other side is stunning. There are hundreds of people who have flown in from all corners of the world to see this place. We hear excited voices in different languages. An American woman walks over and asks if she can stroke Eivor and Pearl. “I had to leave my dogs at home and I miss them so much,” she says. As she crouches down among the crowds Eivor and Pearl look into her eyes and give her all the time she needs.

time to pause
all of us on a journey
gathered here

© Xenia Tran

 

We wish you all a very happy Friday and a wonderful weekend!

With love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

 

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, settings: iA and Landscape, 1/200 s.

 

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