Causeway

Causeway. . , Causeway , Tongue House, on the north east side of the Kyle, was rebuilt in 1678 , after being burned by Cromwell's troops , and further added to in 1750. Once the seat of the Mackay chiefs, it has belonged to the Sutherland family since the early 19th century. , The Mackay clan chiefs probably came to the area from Moray in the 12th century, but the forebears of most local people, who later took the Mackay surname, go back into prehistory. , On clear nights, the sky is splendid with brilliant stars and moon and, while rainbows are frequent in daytime, more rare, sparkling arcs of moonbows are a wonder. The northern lights can be spectacular. Castle Varrich crowns a rocky height south-east of the causeway. Ben Loyal, the queen of Scottish mountains, is the stunning hill to the south-east of the Kyle with castellated tops such as An Caisteal and Sgurr a'Chlèirich. To the south-west lies Ben Hope, from Norse "hóp" meaning bay. It is Scotland's most northerly munro at 927 metres. , This is eagle territory! Take the Kyleside road, south of the causeway and the eagles' impressive wingspan may be spotted as they majestically soar over the hills. , Check shoreline mud for the otter's distinctive five-toed footprint and grassy tussocks for their spraint (droppings). , Look for sundews, an insectivorous plant naturally helping control the local midge population. , ( photo captions ) , - Otter tracks , - Otter , - Ben Hope from Loch Hope , - Golden eagle , - Oblong-leaved sundew