Recently Added Galleries and Collections 2022-06-20T06:58:50Z (C) Valensole (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z little Venice (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z the sleeping boats for slideshow (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z the sleeping boats (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z the Celtic Lands (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z haiku (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z Tale (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z portofino (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z wintersea (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z blu (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z the shining of woods (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z Mood (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z onirica (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z the absinthe forest (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z field - blog - (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z snowlands for blog (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z PORTFOLIO (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z the day we were stones (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z the wooden spider (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z Van Gog's garden (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z Island of Tory, Donegal (GALLERY)

Tory is a mythological place, the most remote of Ireland's inhabited islands, little more than a peeble if seen from the Donegal's coasts, named to be the place of Balor of the evil eye, for someone nothing less than the celtic god of darkness, a cyclops who could kill with a glance from his single eyea
You'll find a dangerous sea to pass, often with high waves, strong winds and little visibility (during my visit a two-day stop for the boat, and it was summer), but once approached, Tory shows its personality.

A warm welcome from the king itself (Mr. Patsi Dan MacRuaidhrì), an accordion or fiddle playing, two windy roads to take, or a fresh beer to drink near the pier.

West town hosts a circular bell tower, and a rare ancient Tau cross (12th century), and the choice between two directions: more west, or east.

One road leads to the west: a lake, the shores where seals are often at play, and the impressive white-striped lighthouse, built between 1828 and 1832, surrounded by the boudary wall.
A refreshing place often beated by screaming winds, with views over Errigal mountain, on the distant inland of Donegal.
The other road leads to the only shop and to East Town (a little group of white houses), after which it stops, and Balor' Kingdom begins.
A path leads to the high cliffs, where once was Balor's stone fort (Dun Bahaloir)and its prison (basically a steep rock from which his enemies were thown into the sea), and to "the big key". That's one of the most impressive cliffs I've seen, with prominent rocky pinnacles known as Balor's soldiers.
When I got there, it was shining in the blue sky after a storm, not so easy to forget, as it will be impossible to forget this little but great world apart. (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z the riddle of things (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z what is the sea (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z Luskentyre - soul of the blue - w. SIGMA 24 mm Art (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z Irishlands (GALLERY)

Celtic traces in the ancient kingdoms of Ireland (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z Northern Ireland (GALLERY) (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z ORKNEYS Mainland

Orkneys are more than 70 islands, in most of them people are more farmers and breeders than fishermen. There's a sense of deep tranquillity here, nearly mystic, expecially near to the prehistoric evidences that are, more or less, everywhere on Mainland. Ashtonishing menhirs at the ring of Brodgar, as You can see from the images...some spectacular spots include Yesnaby's cliffs, the brough of Birsay, and Mull head. (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z Skye

An island with a lot of faces, as it has mountains, iconic lighthouses (Neist Point above all), few but idyllic sandy beaches (the Coral beach above all), castles (Dunvegan above all), a bustling maintown (the beautiful Portree), charming micro-villages (del delightful Stein above all).
All too perfect? Perhalps... does not seem to have the crispy wilderness of the Outer Hebrides, or the wild charm You'll find in the Shetland, and in full summer could be a little more touristic than You could wish.
But: it is a truly photographic island and - I think - it deserves a second visit to be appreciated a little out of season and in its less famous places, to show the beauty of its soul. (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z SHETLAND Mainland

Shetland Islands show a deep beauty,
these are the most scenographic islands I've seen.
Nature is the true owner of all: strong winds lead to cloudless skies, heavy fog or million of clouds painted in the wide skies.
Summer dim can make You go out and wander during the night, giving You a strange and beautiful sensation, to be there alone, walking in the beauty, part of that beauty.
More than a lot of wildlife including the little ponies, wild rabbits, seals everywhere, dolphins, orcas, gannets, razorbills, shags, puffins, arctic terns (here called "geeks"), great skuas (here called "bonxies": they can "dive-bomb" You!) and more.
The Norse heritage is strong here, as well as the pride of the friendly Shetlanders fot their land.
A must for the island's lovers. At least, my must. (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z Westray and Papa Westray, Orkneys

Here's the Queen o'the Isles, Westray lies North from Orkney Mainland, a beauty to explore.
The best place in Orkneys to see Puffins (Castle O'Brian), the best of the Orkneys' lighthouse (the gorgeous Noup Head Lighthouse), and not to mention last ... the best fish and chips in the UK (at the PIerowall Hotel. ps. it's true). Add a peaceful township (Pierowall) with an ancient castle, rich neolithic evidences (here was found the Westray Wife), a nearby lovely Island with a great nature reserve (Papa Westray) and You'll have the best Island to visit of all the Orkneys. (C) 2022-08-14T00:00:00Z