Inver Tote Diatomite Works.
Start. Lay-by on the A855 above Lealt Gorge.
Notes. Heading back to our holiday cottage on several occasions we noticed coaches laden with tourists making regular visits to a large lay-by above the valley of the River Lealt, on this particular occasion we decided to stop, see what all the fuss was about. A short stretch of path lead to an interpretation board, it seems this was the site of the drying sheds belonging to the Inver Tote Diatomite Works. Dredged from the beds of freshwater lochs diatomite is a mineral similar to china clay with many uses, insulation, sound and fireproofing, it is also used in products such as beverages, sugars and cosmetics as is china clay. It seems a narrow gauge railway once ran from Loch Cuithir to the drying sheds at Inver Tote.
Above the gorge cut by the River Lealt looking to the Trotternish Ridge, I suppose I've got to name the various tops, here goes, from left to right, rising out of shot The Storr, then Hartaval followed by Sgurr a Mhadaidh, then the pointy one Sgurr a Mhadaidh Ruaidh, next to that Creag a Lain followed by the rolling summit of Flasvein, lesson No2 follows shortly, pronunciation.
Viewing the island of Rona across The Sound of Raasay.
One of the most famous features on the Trotternish Ridge, The Storr.
Looking to Raasay and Rona backed by the hills of Applecross on the mainland.
Far below our feet the drying sheds of the Inver Tote Diatomite Works.
Wonderful views across the Sound of Raasay, across the horizon the hills of Torridon.
Forever changing sea-scapes and big skies of the Scottish islands.
Laying under cloud the hills of Applecross with Rona and Rassay in the middle distance.
Waterfalls and rapids where the River Lealt cuts through this wonderful sylvan gorge.