Uig and Skye and Eilean Donan...

Monday, 9th May - (Catch-up)

Portree

Our first introduction to Skye was Uig, with very pretty though small, white buildings, and one or two pubs. We didn't stop as the weather wasn't that good, and we wanted to go and find the castle, and still leave time to do the small crossing from Armadale to Mallaig.

Skye is very scenic, with a short run along the edges of the loch and then up into incredible mountains, and with more mountains appearing at every turn. Thankfully we were able to stop and get some photo's. Stopped at Portree for coffee, which is a lovely town with a square and some interesting streets, and a view down to the wharf, with yet more coloured buildings.

Then we came to Broadford, which is spread out and on the water, with lots of great scenery out over Raasay and Scalpay.

We'd heard a lot about the Skye Bridge, and it is impressive, and steep with a high arch up and over.
Then you come down to the flat part and on and around towards Eilean Donan Castle, along the loch on one side and mountains on the other, and after about 8 or 9 miles, there it is!

Not a good shot, but it gives you and idea.

You can easily see it from the road, and the carpark is easy. This is so well done, and the castle is just amazing from every angle. The weather was inclined to be on and off showers, so out came the waterproofs. There is a charge to see the castle, and we got Seniors rates. 

It has been rebuilt from ruins in the 1700's, and again in the early 20thC by descendants of the original family.

The whole thing is so well done and you do a self-guided tour, so you have time to stop and take it all in.

Later we moved on back over the bridge, and down to Armadale, which is a very pretty little ferry station. There are a few crafty shops, one of which is a bit too cute for its own good, and with outrageous prices. Next to the wharf is a very small cafe, in which we had a really nice lunch of scampi and salad, which included a really tasty scoop of "pearl barley cous cous salad". Yummy, with a definite Moroccan flavour.