The Ham Nomads

20 Jul 2014. <GB-SCT> Sligachan, & Portree, Isle of Skye —

Okay. We don't want to land on Kay and Wang until Kay has had time to get back from Switzerland and settle in. So, till then, we have decided to go back to Skye and really look at the place properly.

We left our overnight stop overlooking Loch Carron, and drove across the Skye Bridge (again), and then northward on Skye. Last time, the furthest north we got was Broadford (which is not really far north at all!).

This time we drove up and around Loch Ainot, a most picturesque area, and then continued north to Sligachan, where we knew there was a rather spectacular old stone bridge.

Then we went north to Portree, the largest town on the island, reputedly designed by Thomas Telford the famous Scottish engineer. Portree is really a pretty place, and justifiably a bit of a tourist Mecca. We went into the tourist information centre, to be greeted by some delightful girls. We wanted to buy four identical gifts, but unfortunately they only had three. But the girls told us about a shop, Tippecanoe, which might have the same product. So we asked them to hold the three they had while we tried the other store. Lo and behold, yes, they had them — but at a higher price. So we bought one at Tippecanoe, and went back to our friends at the visitor centre to get the other three. Everyone was happy!

Portree Harbour

Check the evil eye!

We wandered Portree a bit further, and had fish and chips on the waterfront. Warning! The seagulls at Portree are vicious — if you don't actively feed them, they will fly at you and attempt to spill your meal! Warren only just survived such an attack so, when he had finished his meal (with a little left over), he made sure it was well disposed of in the rubbish bins rather than to let those highwaymen get away with any part of it!

Old Man of Storr

Old Man of Storr

On the road north

Kilt Rock Falls

We carried on northwards, past the Old Man of Storr (a rather striking rock formation) and along one of Susie's favourite roads, one lane with passing points, past Kilt Rock and the Kilt Rock waterfall, round the top of Skye to a point on the northwest, overlooking the bay Lùb Score, our site overhung by rock pillars reminiscent of the Giant's Causeway and shared with highland sheep!

Our park for the night

We are not alone!!

Distance driven — today, 79 miles ( 127 km ); to date, 4,675 miles ( 7,524 km )