113. Scotland is peppered with historic sites and the Hebrides are no exception. Shown here is the sea castle of Kisimul.

113. Scotland is peppered with historic sites and the Hebrides are no exception. Shown here is the sea castle of Kisimul.

Kisimul takes it name from the Gaelic cìosamul, meaning island castle.  It dates to medieval times and served as a fortress for the village.  It may have been a stronghold of the MacNeil clan since the 11th century.

114. Looking out at Kisimul Castle from the shore.

114. Looking out at Kisimul Castle from the shore.

Castlebay, Isle of Barra

115. Above the village rises the Catholic Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, set on rock and made of rock.

115. Above the village rises the Catholic Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, set on rock and made of rock.

Castlebay, Isle of Barra.

116. Walking up to the Church, a riot of brilliant orange Crocosmia brightens the hillside.

116. Walking up to the Church, a riot of brilliant orange Crocosmia brightens the hillside.

Castlebay, Isle of Barra

117. The Church of Our Lady of the Sea began services in 1888.

117. The Church of Our Lady of the Sea began services in 1888.

Castlebay, Isle of Barra

118. Stained glass reflections inside the church add a subtle aura.

118. Stained glass reflections inside the church add a subtle aura.

Castlebay, Isle of Barra

119. Even water invasion of this sturdy stone structure from the damp climate of the Hebrides fails to take away from the simple prettiness of this stained glass window and its reflection.

119. Even water invasion of this sturdy stone structure from the damp climate of the Hebrides fails to take away from the simple prettiness of this stained glass window and its reflection.

Castlebay, Isle of Barra

120. First sighting from the sea of Kinloch Castle shows a long, flat structure.

120. First sighting from the sea of Kinloch Castle shows a long, flat structure.

The building was originally designed as a hunting lodge by the wealthy heir to the Bullough textile fortune, Sir George Bullough, using the architects for his empire of textile plants.  The building was completed in 1900 with parts later renovated in a more feminine style by his wife, Monica.

121. A closer view of Kinloch Castle shows its red rock facade decorated with turrets, towers and crenallations.

121. A closer view of Kinloch Castle shows its red rock facade decorated with turrets, towers and crenallations.

The red stones for the structure was brought from Annan in Southwest Scotland.

122. A closer look shows turrets affixed onto the main tower.

122. A closer look shows turrets affixed onto the main tower.

While not unpleasing, the somewhat odd structure rambles along like a warehouse with some added bits stuck on it.

123. A view from the front lawn gives an idea of far back the structure runs.

123. A view from the front lawn gives an idea of far back the structure runs.

Kinloch Castle, Isle of Rum

124. Part of the house reflects the hunting lodge ambiance favored by Sir George Bullough and houses his extensive collections from his travels, as well as hunting trophies.

124. Part of the house reflects the hunting lodge ambiance favored by Sir George Bullough and houses his extensive collections from his travels, as well as hunting trophies.

Kinloch Castle, Isle of Rum

125. Looking down into the main reception room shows part of the collection of artifacts.

125. Looking down into the main reception room shows part of the collection of artifacts.

Sadly the castle is suffering from water intrusion as well as neglect of its wood paneling.

126. Monica Bulloughs made a large wing of the house her own, decorating it a a London drawing room in the Georgian style.

126. Monica Bulloughs made a large wing of the house her own, decorating it a a London drawing room in the Georgian style.

Kinloch Castle, Isle of Rum

127. While parts of the building are damaged and some parts collect dust, others retain delicate touches.

127. While parts of the building are damaged and some parts collect dust, others retain delicate touches.

Kinlock Castle, Isle of Rum

128. The house is warmed by many panels of clear and stained glass.

128. The house is warmed by many panels of clear and stained glass.

Kinloch Castle, Isle of Rum

129. This pretty window gives a view of the central courtyard.

129. This pretty window gives a view of the central courtyard.

Kinloch Castle, Isle of Rum

130. The hues of the stained glass tended more to the subtle than the bright.

130. The hues of the stained glass tended more to the subtle than the bright.

Kinloch Castle, Isle of Rum

131. One of the large decorative finials on the front of the castle.

131. One of the large decorative finials on the front of the castle.

Kinloch Castle, Isle of Rum

132. Looking back over the lawn to the house. Extensive gardens, both formal and informal surrounded the house, but have grown wilder over time.

132. Looking back over the lawn to the house. Extensive gardens, both formal and informal surrounded the house, but have grown wilder over time.

Kinloch Castle, Isle of Rum

133. On the Isle of Harris stands St. Clement's Church which was built in the fifteenth century.

133. On the Isle of Harris stands St. Clement's Church which was built in the fifteenth century.

St. Clement's Church, Rodel, Isle of Harris

134. The tower of the cruciform church looks as if it could withhold a siege. It was constructed for the MacLeod clan chief.

134. The tower of the cruciform church looks as if it could withhold a siege. It was constructed for the MacLeod clan chief.

St. Clement's Church, Rodel, Isle of Harris

135. The Church is maintained by Historic Scotland. It is dirt floored and not in regular use of services today.

135. The Church is maintained by Historic Scotland. It is dirt floored and not in regular use of services today.

St. Clement's Church, Rodel, Isle of Harris

136. Around the Church are ruins of mausoleums.

136. Around the Church are ruins of mausoleums.

St. Clement's Church, Rodel, Isle of Harris

137. A closer look at the inscription and decor of the ruined mausoleum shows a theme of almost pagan symbols that are also inside the Church.

137. A closer look at the inscription and decor of the ruined mausoleum shows a theme of almost pagan symbols that are also inside the Church.

St. Clement's Church, Rodel, Isle of Harris

138. The repeating symbols in bas relief.

138. The repeating symbols in bas relief.

St. Clement's Church, Rodel, Isle of Harris

139. The arched tomb of Alistair Crotach MacLeod, the 8th chief of the clan, was erected in 1528 and has some of the most ornate carvings from that time in Scotland.

139. The arched tomb of Alistair Crotach MacLeod, the 8th chief of the clan, was erected in 1528 and has some of the most ornate carvings from that time in Scotland.

St. Clement's Church, Rodel, Isle of Harris

140. Some grave markers have been found and leaned against the wall for consideration.

140. Some grave markers have been found and leaned against the wall for consideration.

St. Clement's Church, Rodel, Isle of Harris

141. A stone crucifix graces one window.

141. A stone crucifix graces one window.

St. Clement's Church, Rodel, Isle of Harris

142. On the Isle of Lewis, the Callenish Standing Stones are one of several such Bronze Age artifacts on the island.

142. On the Isle of Lewis, the Callenish Standing Stones are one of several such Bronze Age artifacts on the island.

These standing stones have an inner and outer circle with double lines of additional stones radiating off, almost like spokes of a wheel.  Why these were constructed can only be speculated on, but it is amazing that they still stand today.

143. The shapes and patterns of the stones assume almost human qualities as they stand both marking time and timeless.

143. The shapes and patterns of the stones assume almost human qualities as they stand both marking time and timeless.

Callenish Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis

144. A black and white view of the stones suits the misted day.

144. A black and white view of the stones suits the misted day.

Callenish Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis

145. The stones run for an additional four or more feet into the ground so that they remain upright.

145. The stones run for an additional four or more feet into the ground so that they remain upright.

In the mid-nineteens century, the stones were cleared of five feet of peat that had accumulated over the centuries.

Callenish Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis

146. Viewing these stones that date to 2600-- 2900 B.C., which contain a central tomb, make a person wonder if they were a religious place, a marketplace, or a meeting place.

146. Viewing these stones that date to 2600-- 2900 B.C., which contain a central tomb, make a person wonder if they were a religious place, a marketplace, or a meeting place.

Callenish Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis

147. Callenish Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis

147. Callenish Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis

148. Moving on to Dun Carloway, the remains of an imposing broch or roundhouse are visible on this hilltop vantage point.

148. Moving on to Dun Carloway, the remains of an imposing broch or roundhouse are visible on this hilltop vantage point.

Dun Carloway, Isle of Lewis

149. Built between 100 B.C. and 100 A.D., the brochs are thought to have given shelter to chieftans and their clans.

149. Built between 100 B.C. and 100 A.D., the brochs are thought to have given shelter to chieftans and their clans.

Callenish Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis

150. The broch rises to 9.2 meters (30 feet), however the original height is unknown.

150. The broch rises to 9.2 meters (30 feet), however the original height is unknown.

Dun Carloway, Isle of Lewis

151. The broch builders had to work around the hefty rock ledge and incorporate it into their design.

151. The broch builders had to work around the hefty rock ledge and incorporate it into their design.

Dun Carloway, Isle of Lewis

152. The structure has curving double walls with remains of walkways in between the walls.

152. The structure has curving double walls with remains of walkways in between the walls.

Dun Carloway, Isle of Lewis

153. An internal view of the wall walkway.

153. An internal view of the wall walkway.

Dun Carloway, Isle of Lewis

154. Note how the spaces between the larger rocks are filled with small stones to retain warmth and add stability.

154. Note how the spaces between the larger rocks are filled with small stones to retain warmth and add stability.

Dun Carloway, Isle of Lewis

155. This view shows the entrance doorway to the inner wall.

155. This view shows the entrance doorway to the inner wall.

Dun Carloway, Isle of Lewis

156. Next to the Broch was this abandoned stone croft.

156. Next to the Broch was this abandoned stone croft.

Dun Carloway, Isle of Lewis

157. Some late-blooming heather in a sheltered spot.

157. Some late-blooming heather in a sheltered spot.

Dun Carloway, Isle of Lewis

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113. Scotland is peppered with historic sites and the Hebrides are no exception. Shown here is the sea castle of Kisimul.
114. Looking out at Kisimul Castle from the shore.
115. Above the village rises the Catholic Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, set on rock and made of rock.
116. Walking up to the Church, a riot of brilliant orange Crocosmia brightens the hillside.
117. The Church of Our Lady of the Sea began services in 1888.
118. Stained glass reflections inside the church add a subtle aura.
119. Even water invasion of this sturdy stone structure from the damp climate of the Hebrides fails to take away from the simple prettiness of this stained glass window and its reflection.
120. First sighting from the sea of Kinloch Castle shows a long, flat structure.
121. A closer view of Kinloch Castle shows its red rock facade decorated with turrets, towers and crenallations.
122. A closer look shows turrets affixed onto the main tower.
123. A view from the front lawn gives an idea of far back the structure runs.
124. Part of the house reflects the hunting lodge ambiance favored by Sir George Bullough and houses his extensive collections from his travels, as well as hunting trophies.
125. Looking down into the main reception room shows part of the collection of artifacts.
126. Monica Bulloughs made a large wing of the house her own, decorating it a a London drawing room in the Georgian style.
127. While parts of the building are damaged and some parts collect dust, others retain delicate touches.
128. The house is warmed by many panels of clear and stained glass.
129. This pretty window gives a view of the central courtyard.
130. The hues of the stained glass tended more to the subtle than the bright.
131. One of the large decorative finials on the front of the castle.
132. Looking back over the lawn to the house. Extensive gardens, both formal and informal surrounded the house, but have grown wilder over time.
133. On the Isle of Harris stands St. Clement's Church which was built in the fifteenth century.
134. The tower of the cruciform church looks as if it could withhold a siege. It was constructed for the MacLeod clan chief.
135. The Church is maintained by Historic Scotland. It is dirt floored and not in regular use of services today.
136. Around the Church are ruins of mausoleums.
137. A closer look at the inscription and decor of the ruined mausoleum shows a theme of almost pagan symbols that are also inside the Church.
138. The repeating symbols in bas relief.
139. The arched tomb of Alistair Crotach MacLeod, the 8th chief of the clan, was erected in 1528 and has some of the most ornate carvings from that time in Scotland.
140. Some grave markers have been found and leaned against the wall for consideration.
141. A stone crucifix graces one window.
142. On the Isle of Lewis, the Callenish Standing Stones are one of several such Bronze Age artifacts on the island.
143. The shapes and patterns of the stones assume almost human qualities as they stand both marking time and timeless.
144. A black and white view of the stones suits the misted day.
145. The stones run for an additional four or more feet into the ground so that they remain upright.
146. Viewing these stones that date to 2600-- 2900 B.C., which contain a central tomb, make a person wonder if they were a religious place, a marketplace, or a meeting place.
147. Callenish Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis
148. Moving on to Dun Carloway, the remains of an imposing broch or roundhouse are visible on this hilltop vantage point.
149. Built between 100 B.C. and 100 A.D., the brochs are thought to have given shelter to chieftans and their clans.
150. The broch rises to 9.2 meters (30 feet), however the original height is unknown.
151. The broch builders had to work around the hefty rock ledge and incorporate it into their design.
152. The structure has curving double walls with remains of walkways in between the walls.
153. An internal view of the wall walkway.
154. Note how the spaces between the larger rocks are filled with small stones to retain warmth and add stability.
155. This view shows the entrance doorway to the inner wall.
156. Next to the Broch was this abandoned stone croft.
157. Some late-blooming heather in a sheltered spot.