The Ham Nomads

22 Jul 2014. <GB-SCT> Isle of Skye; Kyle of Lochalsh; Strathcarron; Lochcarron, Wester Ross —

Started off with a walk into the hills — not far, just up to the foothills and the first major rise, but enough for about an hour's walk. Passed some lovely cascades, and the hills are really beautiful in the morning — and any other time!

Mallaig Ferry leaving from Armidale

Armidale Castle

We then drove down south, turning down the A851 to Armadale. At Armadale, went into the Castle. We had been there last time, in 2007, and little has changed. The castle itself is still a sad ruin. We discovered it was intentionally abandoned only about 80 years ago and left to the elements — what a waste! The grounds are magnificent, and we wandered here for an hour or so before leaving to go and discover what lay further down the road (not far) towards the ferry terminal.

Lily pond at Armidale

We found The Bay Pottery just short of the terminal — it was closed for lunch, so we didn't catch up with the Sydneysider, its owner, who we met and chatted with last time — but we have refreshed our memories of 2008.

Soon after we had driven off Skye, we noticed a viewing point on our right. Didn't seem to be much of a view, so we stopped to find out what was going on. Turns out that, just through the woodland that hides Loch Alsh from the road there is a memorial to Donald Murchison, Colonel in the Highland Army of 1715, who "successfully defended and faithfully preserved the lands of Kintail and Lochalsh from 1715 to 1722 for his Chief William, the exiled Earl of Seaforth". The monument was erected by his descendants in 1863, and restored in 1928. This is the second restored monument we have visited in two days, the other being that of Flora MacDonald yesterday! Except that this one probably succumbed to the elements, rather than to the grabbing hands of tourists!

From here we went on to our viewing point at South Strome, to have afternoon tea overlooking Loch Carron, before proceeding on to again meet up with Kay and Wang at Tullich House. More gossip to catch up on — do the girls ever run out??

Distance driven — today, 82 miles ( 132 km ); to date, 4,831 miles ( 7,774 km )