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.....