“Coolin’ in the Cuillins”
After a practice run at a site about twenty minutes from home, on a lovely warm weekend, we set off for
We called in at Colin’s, so that Mums and Dad could see the van, and set off late afternoon, arriving at
We stayed on a basic campsite with the most essential facilities, namely pub within 250yds, hot showers, incredible views and no hassle. We woke to another blue sky, cool morning and set off on a walk described in the Ramblers Assoc 50 Best Walks in
Incidentally the Black Cuillins and Red Cuillins. Nothing to do with the evening sunlight, as I initially thought. The Black Cuillins are formed from Gabbro, the oldest rock on the planet, so they say. Like volcanic Velcro! Even me with my dodgy knees had no fear of descending steep slopes!! The Red Cuillins formed mainly from granite and they do actually look red and black. Both rocks were originally from magma chambers of volcanoes which once dominated
The following “rest day” we relaxed on a tour of the nearby Talisker Distillery and brought a 10yr old malt back to the van. The tour of
“More Breath-Taking Views”
We provisioned up in Portree, the “capital” of Skye. Not much there, apart from an Indian restaurant and a few wool shops. A bit disappointing. But the harbour was pretty with cheerily painted houses. We found a wonderful site within walking distance of Dunvegan, the castle, and a good walk to Coral Beaches, unspoilt, white beaches. The pitch looked right onto the tidal loch with stunning views. This was exactly what we’d hoped for in a site. Very quiet. Blue sky mornings and days which stretch out until 11pm. In fact it never really seemed to go dark. Very strange closing the curtains and going to bed whilst still light outside.
We went on a lovely, undulating cycle ride along the coast to Neist Lighthouse.
After four days on Skye, we moved on, with plans to come back next year, to hace another walk into the Cuillins, walk around the Old Man of Storr, another geological wonder in the Totternish district, and more.
Failte na the Applecross Peninsular
A 35mile dead end over the scary Pass of the Cattle to Applecross. We’re back on the mainland but you’d think we were still in the
On the journey over we called at a little weaving croft at Cuaig. The couple, Lesley and Thomas Kilbride, who own the business, live here all year round, farm sheep, dye the wool with plant dyes and then spin the wool and weave it to create and sell products. There were four looms and Thomas explained and demonstrated the process of weaving. When I told him that my granddad was a cotton weaver, he pointed to the label on the loom, which said it was built in
A great pub in Applecross, which sold fantastic food, a Post Office, a few old petrol pumps, advertising “top up for a tenner” to support this service, and about twenty houses, and that’s it for Applecross. Set along the edge of the Inner Sound with beautiful views.
Our first experience of wild camping, ie. not on a site, on the banks of
It was cold and wet when we arrived in Aviemore, and apart from one day in Pitlochry, it pretty much stayed that way until we arrived back home. We walked on the same beach and stayed on the same site, where we stayed when Andrew was 3 and Laura was1, tottering about trying to keep the midges away from her ears!
The cycle paths from Glenmore Campsite to Aviemore are “new” and excellent. We went out on the Old Logging Path, off-road, past lochs and through the forest. SAW A RED SQUIRREL!!!!
Overnight at Pitlochry, and Ian cycled to
Back home to some sunshine and warmth, but with resolve to return again next year. In fact we’re booked in to do the Caledonian Etape, an 80mile cycle ride starting at Pitlochry, so we’re going to try and book the same site.