Over the sea to Skye - Wednesday 12-7-23
Leaving the Lochcarron Hotel we drive along the shoreline to Plockton, the village which was the film setting for the village of Lochduhb in the "Hamish MacBeth" TV series. Stopping for a lookaround and a coffee we later set off for Eilean Donan, a castle that sits on an island in Loch Dubh, said to be the most photographed castle in Scotland. Although it was only about 1pm when we arrived, all the carpark were full and we couldn't get in. We decided to carry on to The Isle of Skye, and try to see the castle in a couple of days when we came back. Crossing the Skye Bridge, the road followed the coastline revealling vistas of magnificent scenery around every bend. Soon, the inevitable rain arrived again, and we stopped for a while in Portree. Later that afternoon we travelled further north. Though the rain had stopped, it looked like it would start again quite soon, so we headed off for our campsite.
Isle of Rona from Rigg viewpoint
Sunshine greeted us in the morning, so we crossed the peninsula going north up to Uig, and Fairy Glen, a unique emerald valley with a distinct dramatic landscape that looks like it has been pulled out of the pages of a fairytale.
The natural rock formations, cone-shaped hills dotted with ponds and scattered waterfalls, are all within one small area, making it seem as though it’s the shrunken version of a Lord of the Rings film location.
The strange landscape was caused many years ago by volcanic activity causing landslips, later softened by glaciers to create the remarkable formations.
Thats the science bit, but really, the faeries are the spirits of the dead, or they are angels, not good enough for heaven but not evil enough for hell.
But even though we don’t know where they come from, one thing is certain, the little mythical folk have a distinct sense of bizarre beauty.
After spending several hours [yes, time stands still here] in the Faerie Glen, we moved on to Uig for a photo opportunity. Uig is where the ferries leave for The Hebrides.
Stopping for a light lunch at The Oyster Shed, just around the corner from the Talisker Distillery, we then went to Niest Point.
Niest Point is the Westernmost headland of Skye, looking out toward The Outer Hebrides. There has been a lighthouse on the point since around 1900.
Because of its remote location, supplies for the lighthouse and keepers cottages used to be via an aerial cableway.
Since 1990 the lighthouse was automated and is now operated remotely from Edinburgh.
