As many of you will know my in-laws live on the lovely Isle of Skye and so we're regular visitors. They are starting a new venture this year; providing boat trips in the North-West of the Isle of Skye. They have web site set up here http://www.skye-by-sea.com. I hoped it would be ok to post the information here as they will be offering charters for photographers, and I know other members visit Skye as well. There are already several boat trips that operate out of Portree in the North-East of Skye, but they are the first charter service for Loch Dunvegan and the North-West of the Winged-Isle. They will be covering all of the local wildlife, including the local White-tailed Sea Eagles, and the skipper and crew have an encyclopedic knowledge of the local history, myths and legends.

We had a taster trip while they are setting-up and here are some of the pictures.

(If you are a Facebook user then they'd be really pleased if you'd 'like' them http://www.facebook.com/SkyeBySea.)

The boat, the Highland Lady, moored in Loch Dunvegan.

Skye 2012 - Highland Lady 1 by Birm, on Flickr

Heading out of the loch.

Skye 2012 - Wake by Birm, on Flickr

First with Nex 5 and SAL Sigma APO 70-300, second with A700 and CZ 16-80.

A sea-arch you'd never see from the land as it stand at the foot of cliffs.

Skye 2012 - Arch by Birm, on Flickr

Dunvegan castle, ancestral home for 800+ years of the MacLeods.

Skye 2012 - Dunvegan Castle 1 by Birm, on Flickr

Both with Nex 5 and SEL 55-210, OSS working hard on the moving boat!

MacLeod's Tables from Loch Dunvegan.

Skye 2012 - MacLeod's Tables in Cloud by Birm, on Flickr

The MacCrimmon Pipers Memorial see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacCrimmon_%28piping_family%29.

Skye 2012 - Piper Memorial by Birm, on Flickr

First shot with Nex 5 and SEL 55-210, second with A700 and CZ16-80.

A couple of family shots

There is a fully qualified skipper and crew, but Tilly had to tryout the skipper's chair for size!


We had a few casts when the fish radar indicated we should be in luck, but no bites. I think we need Greg and his brother to come and show us how to do it properly .


Both with A700 and CZ 16-80.

Nice shot Birm.

Thanks Doc

Birm, just tell me, are you out with both cameras?

Hi Doc, I've got both in my bag at the moment. Some subjects and situations seem better with one rather than the other at the moment.

Birma,

Your In-Laws' new venture is very fancy. I hope they enjoy the prospects of this new business.

The photos are lovely. I especially loved the Arch that's hidden from eyes when on land. Well, as it appears, lots of significant values are hidden from land so I'm pretty sure many will see reason to take the coastal route.

You're lucky to get some privilidged shots.

Matilda, is bright, smart and vividly colourful as always... : )) I love the sheen of her smiles and the secret twinkle in her eyes; very beautiful.

Keep shooting,


Yildiz

Thanks Yildiz.

Tilly and I are very much looking forward to our next visit and boat trip .

Hi birma

Lovely spot for them. Should be able to get some good seal shots as well. I may be up there again this year. If so may well check the boat trips out as my mates' place is in Dunvegan right by the loch. This is the view from their drive :-

Very nice shot across the loch Caporip Fab reflection. Hope you make it up there soon.

Still very tempted to retire up there (sooner rather than later)

That's exactly what my in-laws did. Getting close(r) to retirement, and a round of voluntary redundancies at their places of work; they jumped out of the rat race and in to the tourist business on Skye. Seven years later, to say they love it would be an understatement .

our idea of heaven......
Lovely spot, very envious.

Mike