Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Scotland: Road to Skye

One of our favorite bits about our Scotland trip was our time on the Isle of Skye. But of course we had to get there first -- quite a drive by British terms from our home base at Melville Lodge. One would think it not such a far distance, but when you add the tiny roads, lots of curves, stormy conditions, it all adds up to going about 30 mph! 

We started our journey to Skye from Fort William, which helped to take a few hours off but still made for a good part of the day!

The scenery northwest of Fort William is just breathtaking!


You wonder why a million people aren't living here to catch the view everyday but then you remember how remote this is and what the weather is like.



The weather was on and off rain and downpour all day long!



Just before we reached the island we came to the most photographed castle in Scotland: Eilean Donan Castle.



It was still beautiful, even in the rain!
And we got tea for the road at the gift shop there!!!


We finally made it onto the island by late afternoon, managing to get to Portree in time to pick up groceries for dinner.



More torrential downpours!


Everywhere we went we kept seeing VW camper vans!! We saw them in all colors and conditions. I'll have to make a post just of camper vans!


Of course I was getting extremely excited about all the heather we were seeing! In all our years in Scotland I had never managed to get up north when the time was right.


Michael and I were glad we were driving and not cycling!


Eventually we made it up the side of the Isle to the tiny little hamlet of Digg where our cottage was.


Just the perfect place to be!

 
 And our little travelers......


 Next time I'll have to show your our Skye cottage......

7 comments:

Pom Pom said...

Thank you, Heather! I loved every minute, every word. I'm so thankful that I'm not biking in the rain, but I so admire those hardly Scottish souls!

elizabeth said...

That's really lovely! how beautiful!!

HeatherMavis said...

The castle- especially lovely in the rain! So romantic!

Silvia M. said...

I loved both Fort William and the Isle of Skye, even though I got a bad cold while staying at the hostel in Portree. I hope I have the chance to go back someday.

Brother John said...

Beautiful - Breathtaking!
So glad you and family had these ever-in-memory times together, and thank you for shaing!

Susan said...

really beautiful!

We didn't make it that far west, but we really loved our views in the Glencoe area, after spending time near Ft. William.

I can't wait to go to Scotland again!

GretchenJoanna said...

Your pictures are just the best.