Trip to the Isle of Skye
A trip to the Isle of Skye last week was the highlight of our year and was nothing short of wonderful. Skye offers so much. Whether you are a
hill walker or just like to have a wonder round the towns, villages, harbours or main points of interest, there is something for everyone.
To cap it all off, the weather was exceptional and very little unsettled weather was experienced.
Having booked a holiday cottage in Portree, getting there was in itself quite a venture. Even though I have lived in Scotland for a considerable
number of years, I have never set foot on Skye; only ever seen it from the seaward side of things having been on a submarine anchored in
Broadford Bay what now seems a long, long time ago.
The Skye bridge has been open for around 17 years and it's a great feeling to see it when you come in to the Kyle of Lochalsh.
A trip to the Isle of Skye last week was the highlight of our year and was nothing short of wonderful. Skye offers so much. Whether you are a
hill walker or just like to have a wonder round the towns, villages, harbours or main points of interest, there is something for everyone.
To cap it all off, the weather was exceptional and very little unsettled weather was experienced.
Having booked a holiday cottage in Portree, getting there was in itself quite a venture. Even though I have lived in Scotland for a considerable
number of years, I have never set foot on Skye; only ever seen it from the seaward side of things having been on a submarine anchored in
Broadford Bay what now seems a long, long time ago.
The Skye bridge has been open for around 17 years and it's a great feeling to see it when you come in to the Kyle of Lochalsh.
The bridge is quite steep as you approach and cross over but it has dramatically improved access to and from Skye. Prior to, a ferry service was the
only way to get on to the island. As you cross over the bridge, Kyleakin is over to your left and you turn right heading north toward Portree; some
30 odd miles further up the coast. Skye is a B I G island but its a real joy to experience the drive north.
Portree
The main town on the island and has spectacular views out over the harbour
only way to get on to the island. As you cross over the bridge, Kyleakin is over to your left and you turn right heading north toward Portree; some
30 odd miles further up the coast. Skye is a B I G island but its a real joy to experience the drive north.
Portree
The main town on the island and has spectacular views out over the harbour
The town has a couple of really good sea food restaurants where freshly caught seafood was the outstanding feature
Our first trip out took us across the island to
Dunvegan. We visited the castle which is/was
home to the Macleod Clan. Reasonably impressive
from the outside but I was a bit disappointed with
the inside of the castle; it didn't really have that
"feel" about it and so we moved on
Dunvegan. We visited the castle which is/was
home to the Macleod Clan. Reasonably impressive
from the outside but I was a bit disappointed with
the inside of the castle; it didn't really have that
"feel" about it and so we moved on
There is an abundance of waterfalls on Skye and we came across this one outside of Elgol. It is, I believe, called the Fairy Falls. I played around
a bit with the Nikon D70 and managed to get this effect with the falling water.
a bit with the Nikon D70 and managed to get this effect with the falling water.
As I say, an abundance of water everywhere; a photographer's utopia
Looking down on to the road leading in to Uig on the road to Kilmuir. Look at that sky, barely a cloud in our vicinity and it was warm !!
Above is a photograph of one of several thatched cottages which can be seen at Kilmuir; right at the top end of the island. There were several others
which were in incredibly good condition. Included on this site were an old blacksmiths workplace, a ceilidh house and a crofters home which
housed 14 people.
Maw, paw and the 12 weans !!
which were in incredibly good condition. Included on this site were an old blacksmiths workplace, a ceilidh house and a crofters home which
housed 14 people.
Maw, paw and the 12 weans !!
The view from the croft looking North. In the far distance you can see the Isle of Harris. North Uist is more over to the left and out of shot.
Again, the weather was stunning
Again, the weather was stunning
We then headed a little further North up around the headland through Duntulm and then round to Flodigarry or as the picture below shows,
the Gaelic name Flodaigearraidh
the Gaelic name Flodaigearraidh
A fairly bleak place in Winter I would suggest but could you imagine; a nice thatched roof, plenty of peat and kindling for the fire; ample provisions
and the odd bottle or two of single malt. Heavy snow on the ground and no need to leave the cottage other than to bring in more peat for the fire.
You can guess, this would be a very quiet spot in radio terms with no broadband, TVI or RFI of any kind to cause you to clench your fists hi !
and the odd bottle or two of single malt. Heavy snow on the ground and no need to leave the cottage other than to bring in more peat for the fire.
You can guess, this would be a very quiet spot in radio terms with no broadband, TVI or RFI of any kind to cause you to clench your fists hi !
Apologies for the poor quality image but it serves to demonstrate that sunshine was in abundance that day on Skye. It felt really warm even
though we were near to the coastline.
though we were near to the coastline.
As we pressed on South, one very distinct landmark came in to view. The "Old man of Storr" to the north of Portree. The region around Storr
itself is quite remarkable and a fairly easy climb from the car park to the "old man" is very achievable. The light, by the time we came toward
this land mark was beginning to fade. I should have made the appropriate adjustment on the camera and used a tripod !
Next day our further adventures took us out Northwest toward Waternish and the little harbour at Stein
itself is quite remarkable and a fairly easy climb from the car park to the "old man" is very achievable. The light, by the time we came toward
this land mark was beginning to fade. I should have made the appropriate adjustment on the camera and used a tripod !
Next day our further adventures took us out Northwest toward Waternish and the little harbour at Stein
The water was incredibly clear but cold !!
Depth of field.................. I just love my Nikon D70. Just need to learn how to tame it !!!
"time and tide wait for no man"
Skye is a photographers heaven as it offers so much by way of contrasting subject matter. I just loved the changing mood of the water; slow in
some places and gushing in others.
some places and gushing in others.
South west of Broadford is the picturesque village of Elgol. A very remote spot on the shoreline of Loch Scavaig, it was a very interesting drive to
reach it. Harbouring a few fishing boats, everything about the place said that it would be beautiful in the good weather but somewhat foreboding
in stormy, wintery conditions.
reach it. Harbouring a few fishing boats, everything about the place said that it would be beautiful in the good weather but somewhat foreboding
in stormy, wintery conditions.
That road in and out of Elgol is more challenging that it looks in this photograph. We were told that snow is not a "frequent visitor" here;
if it were, the road would virtually be impassable.
if it were, the road would virtually be impassable.
The one outstanding feature about houses on Skye is their well maintained appearance; I saw very few properties that were not in first class
condition. Clearly, people living on the island take a great deal of pride in their properties and it is wonderful to witness.
With regard to property; It is very expensive !! Houses in and around the Portree area were amazingly expensive compared to the rest of
Scotland and those properties up for sale generally exceeded £300,000.
Compared to the Central Belt of Scotland, that is well above average per square footage.
We spent our remaining few days on Skye covering all points of the compass. A trip to Armadale in the south east had us enjoy the company
of "grumpy George". Down by the ferry terminal stands a wonderful little gift shop bearing this name. It made me giggle when I read the sign
outside the shop which said "sorry, but we are open". In this shop is a highly skilled photographer and printer who moved across from Peterhead
a number of years ago and set up business. He has for sale a considerable collection of photographic prints which are nothing short of exceptional.
The photographs not only capture different parts of the island but also its mood. George "tweaks" the images with that well known photo
enhancement software package to such an extent they are just irresistible. We bought one but not before he explained what had been involved in
bringing our print to life.
A truly remarkable and gifted individual who has probably forgotten more than I shall ever learn about photography.
"time to go"
The day of our departure came and, to be quite honest, neither of us wanted to leave. Skye is enchanting and has so many good things about it.
I don't know if its the lack of desire to be hurried; the plain and simple way of life in some areas or the calmness and tranquillity of its people
who have an in built desire to do for themselves as best they can. Whatever the case, both Margaret and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment
of being there and will undoubtedly return again soon to Eilean a' Cheò.
On Saturday morning we set off for Motherwell but had planned to visit a couple of more sites en route. The first was to be Eilean Donan
castle on the tidal island within Loch Duich. This turned out to be quite an adventure and we spent around 2 hours there. Home of the Macrae
family, the site is well worth a visit. I had not realised that the castle as is, is not that old.
condition. Clearly, people living on the island take a great deal of pride in their properties and it is wonderful to witness.
With regard to property; It is very expensive !! Houses in and around the Portree area were amazingly expensive compared to the rest of
Scotland and those properties up for sale generally exceeded £300,000.
Compared to the Central Belt of Scotland, that is well above average per square footage.
We spent our remaining few days on Skye covering all points of the compass. A trip to Armadale in the south east had us enjoy the company
of "grumpy George". Down by the ferry terminal stands a wonderful little gift shop bearing this name. It made me giggle when I read the sign
outside the shop which said "sorry, but we are open". In this shop is a highly skilled photographer and printer who moved across from Peterhead
a number of years ago and set up business. He has for sale a considerable collection of photographic prints which are nothing short of exceptional.
The photographs not only capture different parts of the island but also its mood. George "tweaks" the images with that well known photo
enhancement software package to such an extent they are just irresistible. We bought one but not before he explained what had been involved in
bringing our print to life.
A truly remarkable and gifted individual who has probably forgotten more than I shall ever learn about photography.
"time to go"
The day of our departure came and, to be quite honest, neither of us wanted to leave. Skye is enchanting and has so many good things about it.
I don't know if its the lack of desire to be hurried; the plain and simple way of life in some areas or the calmness and tranquillity of its people
who have an in built desire to do for themselves as best they can. Whatever the case, both Margaret and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment
of being there and will undoubtedly return again soon to Eilean a' Cheò.
On Saturday morning we set off for Motherwell but had planned to visit a couple of more sites en route. The first was to be Eilean Donan
castle on the tidal island within Loch Duich. This turned out to be quite an adventure and we spent around 2 hours there. Home of the Macrae
family, the site is well worth a visit. I had not realised that the castle as is, is not that old.
This is where the opening scene from the movie "The Highlander" was filmed but it is famed for much more than just that. Inside, it is quite
resplendent and a lot of detail and many artifacts can be seen on display.
resplendent and a lot of detail and many artifacts can be seen on display.
Heading south until we came to Glencoe was a very pleasant drive with lots of glorious sunshine. We came through Glengarry, Spean Bridge,
Fort William and then beyond into the Great Glen. Splendid examples of glacial valleys in all directions
Fort William and then beyond into the Great Glen. Splendid examples of glacial valleys in all directions
You don't need words here..................it speaks for itself
I have a number of photographs of the trip to Skye and return and will alternate them in order to give you an overview of this part of the world
if you've not had the privilege of visiting it.
From our time on Skye and during the return journey home, we saw a truly international gathering of people from all over the world who,
like us, want to see the beauty of Eilean a' Cheò first hand. Undoubtedly many will be back to indulge themselves again
Although originally from Northern Ireland, I have lived in Scotland on and off since 1975. I never cease to be amazed by this country's beauty.
From the serenity of Loch Lomond and the rolling hillsides of the Borders to the rugged titans of the Great Glen and beyond; it all adds up to
explain why these days I don't go abroad. There is still much to see and explore in Bonnie Scotland.
I hope you agree
very 73
Will
if you've not had the privilege of visiting it.
From our time on Skye and during the return journey home, we saw a truly international gathering of people from all over the world who,
like us, want to see the beauty of Eilean a' Cheò first hand. Undoubtedly many will be back to indulge themselves again
Although originally from Northern Ireland, I have lived in Scotland on and off since 1975. I never cease to be amazed by this country's beauty.
From the serenity of Loch Lomond and the rolling hillsides of the Borders to the rugged titans of the Great Glen and beyond; it all adds up to
explain why these days I don't go abroad. There is still much to see and explore in Bonnie Scotland.
I hope you agree
very 73
Will