Across The Sea

Thursday 31 August 2017

A good sleep last night as the minimum was 5 degrees and we left a window open so we could snuggle under the doona again.   The nice lady showed us how to turn the heater on if we got cold but that wasn’t necessary as the doona was nice and thick.  We did enjoy the decadence of the heated towel rail though!  A nice breakfast in the conservatorium which actually was quite warm as the sun was shining directly in through the windows/roof.  The American couple behind us (Larry thought she was Kate Hudson travelling incognito but I thought she probably could have afforded something a little more above our budget) even had to pull the blind down it was so warm.

A short drive north and we did a quick stop at the Clava Cairns which are an ancient burial site with round burial cairns surrounded by standing stones.  Jenny found one to try and summon Jamie Fraser but to no avail.  Sigh!  

Onwards to Culloden and the battlefield with the associated information centre. The info centre was terrific, one of the best we have seen on any holiday.  There was a step by step guide on the history of the Jacobite revolution with all information relevant to their side of the storey on one wall and on the opposite wall the corresponding information on the English government side.  A thoroughly interesting read and well worth a visit. Jenny knew quite a bit about the history of the Jacobite revolution and Larry thought he knew the basics but in the immortal words “You Know Nothing Larry Bender”. After the info centre we went outside to the actual battlefield and there are 4 flags on opposite side of the fields and they represent where the two sides were drawn up. It gave you an idea of the distances and how difficult it would have been for the Highlanders.

After this we ventured into Inverness and stopped by the famous Inverness Tesco, Larry doesn’t know why it is famous but Jenny said it was so it must be. Lunch was purchased here so we could have it on the road and off we went heading for Loch Ness. As we arrived at the Loch the rain started, a quick few photos and back in the car until we stopped at the Nessie shop. Souveniers purchased and the rain was bucketing down but it cleared up a few miles down the road and we were able to stop by the Loch and have our lunch. Stared intently at the water and we did our best Nessie calls and threw some sandwich crusts but to no avail, she didn’t appear, bugger.

Headed in a more westerly direction through the Five Sisters. The scenery was magnificent, so very much different to what we are used to. Jenny was driving so Larry was taking in the scenery and there were waterfalls everywhere as it had been raining.

Continued on and up and over the bridge to the Skye. The bridge is very tall, must be a reason for it but I doubt there are ships that are that big coming under it. Maybe Mr Google will find the answer. Not long after we crossed the bridge the heavens opened up and the rain was very heavy. Made for slow going as there is a lot of traffic but it eventually thinned out the further north we went until we reached Portree.  A little further north and as we came down the hill towards the western side of the northern most finger of Skye it was once again blue skies and sunshine.  Just past Kensaleyre and we found our B&B, Corran House, which is quite comfortable.   We chatted to our host about the weather and she told us how yesterday she took the dog for a walk about 3 miles up the road and got absolutely drenched but when she got home all the washing on the line was bone dry so obviously rain is very localised on Skye!  Our friendly host arranged a dinner booking at the Edinbane Inn which was only about 15 minutes drive away and the drive was quite scenic and us being us the back road seemed more inviting than the major road. A nice meal was had (Jenny thought the entrees sounded better than the mains so had two – Loch Eishort Mussels in a creamy garlic and white wine sauce, followed by braised cheek of Scottish beef with root vegetable dauphinoise, parsnip puree and rich jus) and we found the best tasting gin we have had in all of our travels - Mysty Isles Gin, made right here on the  Isle of Skye.  We will be purchasing a bottle tomorrow to take back home.

Back to our B&B and it was very picturesque as the sun was just setting and making pretty light and reflections in our Loch (Snizort Beag).  We got out of the car at the B&B to the sounds of bellowing and watched from our hill as a herd of cows were shifted from a paddock across the road to the field next to our bedroom.  Now Larry knows what a real grumpy cow sounds like!!