We have arrived on Skye having crossed over the bridge. Quite an impressive bridge standing high above the loch. Allthego remembers the book ‘Ring of Bright Water’ written by one Gavin Maxwell; he studied it in high school English a few years back.  It is about the author’s life on Skye and his relationship with some otters. The bridge has some of it’s stanchions standing on the island in the loch where the story is based. A visitors centre is nearby. It was tempting to go and see the place. But do you know what, we didn’t have the time to visit it. Too much else to see and do in the 3 days we had on Skye.

Our B & B near Torrin, Skye Mountain Lodge

Cuillin Mountains from our front yard

Waterfront at Portree, the main town.

We based ourselves near a small village called Torrin on the south end of the island, a long way from anywhere. Quite long stretches of narrow single track road to reach it.  Internet quite unreliable and sluggish. The Skye Mountain Lodge was a wonderful B & B. Great hosts and a great view across the loch to the Cuillin Mountains, some very impressive ‘black hills’ to wake up to. Frequently shrouded in mists, they did appear though from time to time. In the 3 days we experienced all of the weather patterns that Skye could throw at us, except snow. It did get quite chilly though! Some great sunny patches, particularly in the afternoons. The sun and clouds, some fluffy and white others dark and brooding, threw ever moving shadows that created unusual patterns and changing colours on the mountain slopes and valleys.

Some hills, there were lots of hills!

Old bridge looking to the Cuillins

Uig

In our 3 days we set off on road trips to try to get around the major viewpoints and landmarks, both natural and human. Needed more time! But we gave it a good go and saw some wonderful things along the way. The Old Man of Storr, Kilt Rock, Fairy Pools, Dunvegan Castle and the lighthouse on the most westerly spot at Neist Point offered some of the most dramatic scenery.

Old Man of Storr

Kilt Rock and waterfall

Neist Pt lighthouse

The mountains and hills, the product of glacial scrapping were everywhere around us. One of the memorials to some early explorers on the island noted in awe the words of Pslam 121 ‘I to the hills will lift mine eyes from whence doth come my aid’. A very good description of the environment around us! Allthego and Homealone also enjoyed some good fish ‘n chips as well as mussels, the breakfasts were excellent at the B & B too!

Cliffs at Neist Point

Dunvegan Castle

Finishing that bowl of mussels

Allthego could write much about this place, but he thinks that it is best left to others to do this. Pictures tell a thousand stories they say! We had a great time on Skye. We now head a bit further north for Ullapool and then by ferry to the Isles of Harris and Lewis, home of the famous Lewis Chessmen!