Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.

Balmacara and Skye

WE had a mixed week of weather but on the whole we managed to stay dry. The only wet day was our second day when Sal stayed in the cottage and I had a coffee in the local cafe and drove to Plockton.

It was wet and I got drenched but I still loved every minute., It is one of the prettiest villages in the area and a walk along Loch Carron shore cannot be bettered. The photos in this blog are all higgledy-piggledy so the Plockton ones are near the end.

Other places we visited were -

1/The Sleat Peninsula where we were very lucky with the weather. It was the day that Sal got her first sighting of The Black Cuillin Hills and the place where we saw three eagles. The peninsula is a bit of a hidden gem, people only usually go there on their way to the ferry port for the Mallaig Ferry.

2/The eastern coastline of Skye consisting of Sligachan where we stopped and took photos of The Cuillin Hills. Portree where we stopped for a coffee and bought some sandwiches. The town was rammed with people so we were glad to move on. We then stopped at a viewpoint which overlooked The Sound of Raasay and gave stunning view across to Wester Ross and back down Skye. Then on to The Storr which we just drove past as it was so busy and finally we headed to The Quiraing where we did manage to park but again it was just full of visitors. We got out and had a quick walk to the viewpoint, took a few photos and then speedily headed back down the Isle to the peace and tranquility of our cottage. I did that same trip possibly fifteen years ago and hardly saw a soul. Neither The Storr or Quiraing had proper car parks and for the whole of the journey I thought I was in heaven. The whole of the Trotternish Ridge escarpment was formed by a great series of landslips; the Quiraing is the only part of the slip still moving – the road at its base, near Flodigarry, requires repairs each year. Sadly I think that will be the last time I visit that side of the Isle due to its popularity.

3/Glenelg and Arnisdale. What a lovely day that was. We drove over the Bealach na Ratagan to Glenelg and then along to coast to the end of the road at Coran. The weather was typically Scotish. Sunny one minute and showers the next. A day of rainbows. Coran also overlooks the hills of Knoydart so we got some pretty spectacular views.

4/We also made a second trip out to Plockton one evening,

5/Sal walked over The Skye Bridge one evening and I picked her up in Kyleakin

6/ One damp afternoon I drove along Glen Aroch, over The Bealach Udal and down to Kylerhea which was quite spectacular.

Oh and on the last day I drove to Elgol.....

The Red Cuillin Hills

Kylerhea

Sleat Peninsula

Blaven from Sleat

Sleat Peninsula

Blaven

Sleat Peninsula

Skye Bridge

Sligachan

Sound of Raasay

The Quiraing

Bealach Ratagain

Arnisdale

Plockton

Mainland from Skye

Homeward Bound

Transfer to Balmacara

A perfect morning for travelling to our cottage at Balmacara. The Loch was very still as I paid it a last visit and took some photos.

We then trod a well worn path down past Loch Maree and then along Glen Torridon for a coffee in the Torridon Shop Cafe, the best in Scotland bar none. We had plenty of time to spare so we carried on over The Bealach na Gaoithe (The Pass Of The Wind) and down to Lower Diabaig. We had just travelled over 40 miles by road yet we were less than ten miles from our starting point as the crow flies.

We both love this hidden gem, it used to be a thriving fishing port but now is only used for landing langoustines for the posh hotels and foreign trade. It does have an Inn/Restaurant and a scattering of houses which I should imagine are holiday lets and it is also the starting point to the coastal path to the beaches of Red Point and beyond.

We returned to Torridon and followed The Wester Ross Coastal Route to Glen Sheil,which was only a few miles from our holiday let.

Once unpacked, I took a beer outside and sat in the garden watching a marvelous sunset over Skye.

Farewell Loch Maree

Loch Maree

Torridon

Loch Torridon

Lower Diabaig

Torridon Hills

Balmacara Sunset

Skye Bridge

Mellon Udrigle

A cloudier day as we made our way to Mellon Udrigle beach which sits at the far end of the Laide Peninsula and looks Northeast across Loch Gruniard towards the hills of Coigach.

This is another place when the weather constantly changes and no two visits are the same. Even though it was cloudy, we could still see as far as Suilvan and the Coigach hills.

Mellon Udrigle

Across Loch Gruinard

The Coigach Hills from Mellon Udrigle

Suilvan from Mellon Udrigle

Mellon Udrigle

A distant An Teallach

Hills of Coigach from Mellon Udrigle