After a good night at Inverie, we set sail for Armadale on Skye’s Sleat Peninsula, a small town that serves as a main point of transport between the Isle of Skye and the mainland. There, we visited the Clan Donald Centre with its museum full of information on the Lord of the Isles and other Highland history. Many wandered the gardens and the picturesque ruins of the MacDonald’s castle, built in 1815 and burned down in the 1850s. A few went with Robin for a nature walk through the ground’s lush forest of giant beech trees and Japanese cedars.
Leaving Armadale, we sailed south up the Sound of Sleat to our final destination of the Kyle of Lochalsh. Everyone had to make the tough choice between visiting the magnificent castle Eilean Donan and small fishing village of Plockton with Carol and Krista, or venturing off for a hike into the Cuillin Mountains with Robin. Those who visited Eilean Donan Castle had the chance to see one of the most spectacular (and most photographed) castles in Scotland. In the early 20th century, the castle was renovated by Lieutenant Colonel MacRae to reclaim it for the MacRae clan. After visiting the castle, the group moved on to the small fishing village of Plockton, with time to wander the streets, visit the shops, and take in the peaceful view out over the sea. The second group set off with Robin to hike in the grand Cuillin Mountains of Skye. The walkers ventured up the wide glacial Sligachan Valley surrounded by mist-covered peaks, noting the many wildflowers in bloom: bog asphodel, lousewort, tormentil, heather, and even the insectivorous sundew.
Our last evening was a grand celebration, with much laughter and a bit of sadness that our week was drawing to a close. Our guest manager Brian gave a rousing rendition of Robert Burn’s “Ode to a Haggis” as he cleavered a massive haggis to bits. We all had a chance to taste this Scottish culinary delight during dinner. The evening was topped off by traditional Scottish music and much storytelling as we shared memories of our wonderful journey through Scotland’s Highlands and Islands.
