To the Isles

To the Isles.

So after a good nights sleep and excellent, hearty full English breakfast that included porridge, we were off heading north and west towards the Isle of Skye. Clear skies and brilliant sunshine would guide our way.

Heading into the mountains we reached the southern most reach of Loch Ness. We were to follow the loch for a while before turning west.

Our path took us past Loch Calunie and through the middle of Scotland under what were not snow covered peaks. Truly covered and not just snow encrusted. I can only say, spectacular.

Coming out of the mountains and approaching the coast we briefly stopped at Eliane Donan castle. Whilst most of the Entourage did not want to go in, they all enjoyed tea and cake before heading on.

Before long we had reached the Skye bridge, no it wasn't rainbow coloured thankfully, and were on the Isle of Syke with the outside temperature reaching 22 degrees C. The drive across the island was unremarkable excepting for the scenery which I find myself without the words to describe.

Reaching our hotel at Uig, the senior Entourage members went off to do the washing at a nearby hostel whilst the junior members settled in (read "made a mess"). Have finished their chores the entire party moved out in search of the Fairie Glen. After traveling down a hair raising road, this time without any directions from Charlotte, we reached the area which is filled with strange, steep sided conical hillocks. Very beautiful spot.

Returning to the hotel the Entourage planned out the next couple of days over drinks and relaxing before dinner. Dinner was excellent with Sandra having the fish, Tony the Scampi, Beth the seafood linguine and Marcus the local burger. The onion ring that came with the burger were particularly noteworthy for their size.

At this point I should point out some oddities in my staff. Now there is a brewery, the Isle of Skye brewery, here in Uig. The hotel serves a number of their beers, many on tap. Now Tony set about trying them in traditional fashion by ordering a pint of each. Now in fairness this was done over the course of a few hours and not all at once. Now Sandra also tried all of them but over dinner, had after having asked about how she might do this. The hotel staff, long prepared for such eventualities provided her with a narrow tray upon which sat small glasses (1/4 pint maybe) of each beer. Let us just say that Tony slept very soundly.

Quote of the Day.
"I feel cold just looking at it". Sandra, in a warm car, in full sunlight, looking out over stark heathland towards distant snow covered peaks.

Drinks of Note:
From the Isle of Skye brewery;
Red - a traditional red ale with a light creamy taste giving way to mildly bitter hoppy aftertaste.
Gold - a golden ale with more of a lager taste with just a hint of cream. Very light on the hops.
The Young Pretender - again a golden ale, very similar to the gold but with more hops and a very pleasant after taste.

A final rest in Glengarry Castle.
The end of Loch Ness.

More snow.

Loch Calunie.


The rock garden left by travelers on the shore of Loch Calunie.

"I am Connor MacCleod of the Clan MacCleod....."

The view from our hotel in Uig.

Near the Fairie Glen.



The Red.
The Young Pretender.



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