My social media followers obviously know me pretty well as it was thanks to the recommendation from someone on Instagram that I first became aware of The Frank Bruce Sculpture Trail. They knew about my love of hidden gems and public art thanks to other blog posts I had written about the Andy Scott Sculpture Trail and the Caol Ruadh Sculpture Park. After they sent me some images of intriguing carved figures from their own visit to this woodland walk at Feshiebridge, I knew I had to add it to my Scotland travel list. I found the figures to be thought provoking and mysterious, like ancient woodland spirits passing on their wisdom. Being the only one in the forest, at times the walk even felt a little creepy, as some of the figures lurk in the shadows and can appear quite lifelike. In fact, it is their appearance of having some animation and a philosophical soul that makes these sculptures more than a work of art to be admired. However, being made of reclaimed wood that is exposed to the elements means these striking pieces won't last forever. The trail has been opened since 2007 and unsurprisingly some are already starting to rot and some have had to be cut down and placed on the ground for safety reasons. Some people are disappointed by the lack of preservation but this was part of Frank Bruce's vision. That his work went through the natural cycle of birth, life and decay. I've no doubt many of the sculptures will still be around for a few years yet but if you do plan to visit, you might want to add it to your list sooner rather than later. I've written a guide with all you need to know below. Frank Bruce Sculpture Trail Walk DetailsLOCATION - Feshiebridge in the Cairngorms National Park - about a 20 minute drive from Aviemore and Kingussie DISTANCE - A 1 mile circular route from the designated car park TERRAIN - A compact accessible path that is also suitable for wheelchairs and prams DIFFICULTY - Easy TIPS - There is a charge for the car park so make sure you have some change ABOUT THE SCULPTURES As with all art, the sculptures are designed to make you think and in this case there are strong themes of politics, Scottish culture and our relationship with others. The individual pieces are united under the title 'Patriotism & Poverty'. Most of the sculptures are carved from reclaimed wood, some of them from ancient Caledonian Pines which actually came from the forest they now sit in. The wooden pieces emphasise the natural shape and features of tree, with knots and branches looking like arms and legs. There are also three stone pieces on the trail which will remain as a legacy once the wooden ones have gone. Some of the stops have information boards which explain the meaning of the piece, others are left for you to interpret. I've posted some of the sculptures below, with a bit about their background. However, I have also omitted a few so you are left with some surprises if you do visit.
My recommended things to do in Inverness and the surrounding area
Inverness is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Scotland. It is known as 'The Capital of the Highlands' and acts as a great base for exploring the north of the country. The city of Inverness is compact and easy to explore on foot and although there are many places to visit within Inverness itself, some of the well known Inverness tourist attractions like Culloden and Loch Ness lie outside the centre.
You can travel to the city by bus or train and many attractions are walkable from the city centre but a car is advisable if you want to explore the outlying sites mentioned in this list. Inverness even has its own airport and the city acts as a gateway to countless Highland adventures whatever direction you decide to travel in once you get there. My recommended things to do in and near to Inverness includes a mix of some of the top things to do but also some of the lesser known gems as I always aim to showcase a different side to the popular tourist places in Scotland. I've also included a range of sight-seeing options that are within a 20 minute drive and I've marked all of the places mentioned in this handy interactive map to help you plan your itinerary. What to do in Inverness
All of the following suggestions can easily be reached on from Inverness city centre
Inverness Museum and Art Gallery
I personally think a visit to Inverness Museum and Art Gallery is one of the best things to do in Inverness. The museum covers an extensive history of the area and is a great starting point for those interested in learning more about the different historical periods of the Scottish Highlands.
On the ground floor you will find exhibits dating back billions of years in the geology section and some amazing Pictish and Iron Age finds. Medieval Inverness, Gaelic culture and Highland wildlife are all covered on this floor too. On the first floor the story of the Jacobites, Highland dress and weaponry all feature and there is even an opportunity to dress up if you feel inclined! Other exhibits include field sports, Inverness silver, Scottish identity, the Clearances and life in 20th century Inverness. The museum is free to visit and is also home to a shop and cafe,
Castle Viewpoint
My recommended ways to explore the Scottish west coast in Wester Ross, Skye, Lewis and HarrisRecently I went on a trip around Wester Ross, Skye, Harris and Lewis as part of a partnership to promote the #WestCoastWaters Campaign. The aim of my trip was firstly to explore the road less travelled and I previously wrote a blog post with details of how I tried to achieve this on a west coast Scotland road trip. The second aim was to find ways of slowing down and immersing my senses in the coastal landscape. This involved trying out a number of water and coastal themed activities including sea kayaking, pony trekking, boat trips, wildlife watching, coastal walks and eating ALL the seafood! I've put together a list of 15 activities that are readily available in the areas I visited and but they are also available throughout the west coast in general. It is not a definitive list and I've added a few more options at the bottom but these suggestions should be enough to give you plenty of ideas to create your own unique Scottish west coast adventure. These are my recommendations and you can just skip to the sections you are most interested in to find out more details on the activities and providers in Wester Ross, Skye, Lewis and Harris. 1. VISIT THE BEACH 2. GO FOR A COASTAL WALK 3. TAKE A BOAT TRIP 4. GO ISLAND HOPPING BY FERRY 5. EXPLORE BY SEA KAYAK OR CANOE 6. FOLLOW THE HEBRIDEAN WHALE TRAIL 7. GO WILDLIFE SPOTTING 8. GO PONY TREKKING ALONG THE BEACH 9. TRY STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING 10. CATCH SOME WAVES ON A SURFBOARD 11. TASTE THE CATCH OF THE DAY 12. SAMPLE THE LOCAL DRINK ON A TOUR 13. STROLL THROUGH A COASTAL GARDEN 14. TAKE PART IN A BEACH CLEAN 15. CATCH A WEST COAST SUNSET 1. VISIT THE BEACH Taking a trip to one of Scotland's stunning west coast beaches is the easiest way for anyone to enjoy the coast and it is absolutely free. Whether you want to feel the sand between your toes, build a castle, do some beach-combing or even go for a paddle, the areas featured in this blog have some of the best beaches in Scotland to choose from. The best part - they are never crowded! These are some of my favourites beaches in the area but there are plenty more to choose from -
2. GO FOR A COASTAL WALK Another free and easy way to enjoy the west coast of Scotland is to follow one of the many coastal walking trails. There are loads of options for all levels of abilities and far too many to mention here. Personally I find the Walkhighlands website to be an excellent resource, not just for coastal routes but walks all over Scotland. However, here are a few suggestions of my own -
3. TAKE A BOAT TRIP
Taking the road less travelled on a west coast Scotland road trip through Wester Ross, Skye, Harris and LewisRecently I undertook an epic adventure around the North West Highlands and Islands on a west coast Scotland road trip. Starting in Wester Ross, I crossed over the sea to Skye before taking a ferry to Harris and continuing on my journey to Lewis. The circular driving route around the west of Scotland eventually brought me back to Wester Ross where I finished off my trip at one of my favourite places. This particular road trip took me through some of the most attractive parts of the country and some places that I thought I knew pretty well but it turned out there was plenty more for me still to discover. This was a journey with a difference as it was part of partnership to promote the #WestCoastWaters Campaign which encourages visitors to take the roads less travelled around western Scotland and find ways to immerse their senses along way. I do believe that too many people rush around Scotland trying to tick as many things off as possible and don't take the time to really absorb their surroundings so I relished the opportunity to slow down and explore in bite-size chunks. Although this west coast route will take you through some of the most popular Scottish tourist haunts, it will also take you off the beaten track and provide you with an original itinerary for exploring these well known places. MY WEST COAST SCOTLAND ROUTE It is worth noting that I started in the north of Wester Ross and travelled south, however this itinerary can easily be adapted so you start in the south at Plockton, cross to Skye and include the Wester Ross section at the end of your trip. It is also worth adding that I did this trip in 9 days due to time constraints, however I would make it a 2 week itinerary if you can by adding extra nights in Ullapool, Gairloch, Plockton, Skye and Harris. FURTHER READING - 15 ACTIVITIES YOU CAN DO ON THE SCOTTISH WEST COAST DAY 1 - ULLAPOOL I really like Ullapool, it is an attractive little town with whitewashed cottages lining the shores of Loch Broom. It has lots of quality independent shops and nice places to eat and drink which makes it a popular base for tourists visiting this part of Scotland. In fact, I have spent 2 separate holidays there myself recently and thoroughly enjoyed both. The town has a long connection with the sea and was originally founded as a herring port in 1788 by the British Fisheries Society. Although the industry has declined, fishing still remains at the heart of the town and the Ullapool Museum is a great place to find out more about the history. I arrived on a warm September day and the waterfront was lined with fellow tourists soaking up the autumnal sun. I joined them for a while, sitting at a picnic table with a harbour view and snacked on my tasty haddock wrap from The Seafood Shack. A place I regularly buy lunch from when I'm in the area. Although Ullapool can be a busy wee place, it is still possible to find a little oasis of quiet just a short distance from the town. I took the small ferry boat from nearby Ardmair jetty to Isle Martin, which is currently uninhabited and looked after by the community of Lochbroom and Coigach. Although no-one has lived permanently on the island since 1949, many people have lived and worked on Isle Martin over the previous centuries. There is a little museum, walking trails and a quiet beach with views over to the Summer Isles. It definitely ticked my criteria of taking the road less travelled and getting a new perspective on a familiar place. Sitting on a rock with a 360 degree view of the surrounding loch, mountains and islands was also the perfect spot to immerse my senses. I didn't put myself under any pressure to rush around exploring everything in the Ullapool area. Instead I was happy to spend a bit longer on Isle Martin to gain a deeper understanding of the history and people who once called this island home. I do recommend adding another night in Ullapool if you can and I have listed more things to do in the area below. FURTHER READING - More things to do in and around Ullapool WHERE I STAYED - Aschcroft Bed & Breakfast in Letters was just perfect. Natasha is a brilliant host and the space is beautiful, clean and comfortable. The self contained apartment has 2 large bedrooms, a sitting room and shower room. A connecting door to the kitchen of the main house provides access for making drinks and this is also where breakfast is served which was generous and delicious. Natasha's dog was my new best friend and I actually felt sad leaving her! If you like to temporarily adopt dogs on your holiday then this is the place for you! The accommodation is also situated in a quiet area overlooking the loch which meant I got a great night's sleep. I highly recommend staying here and if you've not used Airbnb before you can get a £25 discount off your first booking with my personal discount link. SOME WAYS TO ENJOY THE COAST & WATERS AROUND ULLAPOOL
DAY 2 - ULLAPOOL TO GAIRLOCH
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