Immediately after breakfast we were whisked away by coach from our berth in Kyle of Lochalsh to the famous Eilean Donan Castle. This was a short drive from the ship but the views of the Isle of Skye on one side and the rugged Scottish Highland scenery on the other made as realize that we were indeed finally in Scotland. The reason we had left the ship so early was to get to the castle as soon as it opened to the public. We were given an excellent guided tour of the interior this magnificently restored 12th century castle and then had time to look around the lochside location on which it sits. As we were leaving we noticed that the coach park was filling up rapidly with coach after coach of visitors who were swarming everywhere. NOW we understood the wisdom of an early arrival!
Plockton was our next port of call. This picturesque little village is only a few miles from Eilean Donan and as we arrived the skies cleared, the sun came out and we had ideal conditions for enjoying the abundant and colourful gardens of the houses, the picture-perfect setting of the little bay with yachts and small boats moored quietly at anchor, and the idyllic nature of this seldom-visited little fishing village. It was delightful.
Then it was back to the ship and our cruise was soon underway! We sailed along the coast of the Isle of Skye and turned westwards for the ferry terminal at Armadale on the Sleat Peninsula of Skye. En route we had our first presentation of the trip, from Stewart, which was an introduction to photography. Even though most of us would not describe ourselves as being photographers we had all, nonetheless, brought cameras with us as we knew there was going to be a plethora of photo opportunities in this part of the world. Stewart explained clearly and simply how to get the most from our cameras whether they were large expensive Nikons or simpler “point-and-shoot” cameras that slip into our pockets. A very timely and helpful presentation.
On arrival in Armadale some of us chose to take the coach to Sligachan and enjoy a hike in the rugged Cuillin Mountains of Skye with Stewart and Ian. The rest of our group walked with Steve the short distance to the Clan Donald Centre with tis excellent museum and verdant and extensive gardens and woodlands. Both groups had a great afternoon and back on board the conversations were animated and excited as we talked over our experiences and impressions of Skye.
The last part of today’s journey was a short sail across the Sound of Sleat from the Isle of Skye back to the Scottish mainland village of Inverie where we would spend the night. There are no roads connecting this tiny community with the rest of Scotland, the only means of access is by boat, and the village therefore boasts the remotest pub in mainland Britain, The Old Forge Inn. However, one of the local villagers told us that there was going to be a concert of traditional music and Gaelic singing that evening in the little village hall and we were all welcome to attend. This was a pure delight, with three young Scottish musicians and singers playing truly authentic traditional Gaelic music and song to a packed house of locals and Lord of the Glens “expeditioners.” What an unexpected and perfect way to experience the culture of this remote part of Scotland.
All in all, it had been a great first day of our Scottish itinerary.
