Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.: laide

Yet another fabulous day and our last in the area. I have split it in to two blogs mainly for the purpose of posting photographs.

In the morning we had a drive up to the beach at Mellon Udrigle; it's proper name being Camas a' Charraig (gaelic for bay of rocks). It is probably one of the finest beaches in this area and commands views eastwards across Gruinard Bay to An Teallach and The Fisherfield Hills and northwards to the hills of Coigach, Assynt and The Summer Isles. Again the weather was just right for photography with sunshine where we were but dark foreboding fast moving clouds to the east and north.

We both split up and did our own thing; me photographing the beach and I think Sal wandered off to do a bit of beach combing and exploring the rocks at the far end of the bay. I think it was the prospect of a squall that brought us back together. In these parts you soon learn to beat a hasty retreat at the slightest hint of a weather change. I found that out the hard way last year at Mellon Charles when I got myself and two waterproof coats soaked in the space of fifteen minutes!

Last year we also noticed an old ruined church in the nearby village of Laide but didn't have the time to investigate so today was the perfect opportunity. The Chapel of Sand of Udrigil is traditionally said to have been erected by St Columba or one of his followers in the 7th Century, although the character of the building suggests a late medieval date for the existing structure. A church building is said to have been erected about 1713 by George MacKenzie of Gruinard, but in reality it is likely that work was limited to repairs and re-thatching. The chapel seems to have remained in use for worship until at least the end of the 18th century.

An added bonus to our visit was the sight of a small colony of seals on some rocks just offshore which could be seen from the graveyard walls. You can just about make one out in one of the photos.