The Journey North. Day 19. Thursday 10th May 2018
From: Beauly To: Skye-Sligachan GR: NG405381 Mileage:130
0830 hrs. Reveille. Fairly bright morning for a change. We decided
on a leisurely start to the day and over a bowl of porridge, fruit and nuts we
sat, poring over the map and looked at our options.
In our ‘run’ from Applecross Pass
to Inverness to our friends at B+Q we passed the turning to Skye. Jackie was keen
on visiting Skye and I would na mind a wee taster in the Talisker Distillery at
Carbost. So it was settled. Skye it was.
Jackie decided that she would
drive today as that way she had control of where we went. “We had enough crazy
routes driven yesterday.” She exclaimed. I kept silent.
From Beauly, which also has a
strong connection with Bonnie Prince Charlie we took the A833 due S to the
junction with the A831 here we turned left and onto the A82 running SW down the
N side of Loch Ness. At Invermoriston we turned right onto the A887. This turns
into the A87 by Loch Cluaine and this then turned into a most spectacular drive
on into Glen Shiel. Another Government/ Jaccobite Battle here in 1719. This is
the gorge, easily defended that opens into Loch Duich at the head of which is
Eilean Donan Castle at Dornie.
The castle, instantly
recognizable from the tin of biscuits you give your aunt every Xmas was pretty
busy. It is one of the most photographed locations in Scotland. Now the Castle
is held in Trust. The sun was out and it was of course a must visit. A
fortification has stood on this site since Viking times. Indeed the first might
have been Viking. The castle was bombarded by the British Navy in May 1719 and after the castle surrendered 16 barrels
of gunpowder were found within. This was duly used to blow up the castle and it
remained in ruins till the castle was bought just after WW1 and rebuilt as
close to the original as was possible. Occupancy being taken in the 1930’s by
the MacCrae’s. There is a memorial onsite both to local men who fought and died
in WW1 and a Canadian Colonel who bears the same surname and was responsible
for penning that immortal poem “In Flanders Fields……”
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| Loch Duich |
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| View from car park towards the peninsula then Skye. |
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| Who has been off-roading then Jac? |
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| The castle from the car park. Nicely framed Mike. |
When did the British Navy become
the Royal Navy? In 1660.
When did Britain become Great
Britain? In 1707 The Acts of Union.
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| The Skye road bridge. |
On ward to the Isle of Skye. The
magnificent bridge that spans the mouth of Loch Alsh, now free to cross, takes
us onto the isle with a broad sweep.
Onto Sligachan then take the A863
to Carbost and the Talisker Distillery.
It was closed by the time we arrived so
we thought we would continue on these narrow single track roads and find
somewhere to hull down for the night. There was nowhere. Jackie drove right to
the furthermost point and the only conclusion we arrived at was to make the
return journey to Sligachan where there was a camp site.
Passing the Talisker
Distillery Jackie stopped and took a few snaps. “We can pop back tomorrow if
you like.” We didn’t. It didn’t seem worth it to me. All these years it’s been the only distillery I wanted to
get to and now I’m here…! A few days later chatting to some Americans enjoying
an evening stroll at Staffin Bay they told me that a bottle of Talisker was
much cheaper at home in New York. “Yes,” I said “ but don’t forget there is a
minimum charge levied in Scotland now for booze. Even so.
The distances up here are not
that great but the roads wind in and out up and down and a journey seems much
longer than perhaps it is. We were however soon back at our proposed camp site
at Sligachan. As far as campers went is seemed pretty full. The staff member on
duty was English and very friendly and helpful. “Park anywhere but beware the
ground is soggy.” “That’s Ok this thing gets stuck on a wet shopping bag.”
“That will be £8 each and £5 if you need electricity hook up.” We paid £16 and
found a spot on a recently laid out hard standing. Switched on the gas and soon
had a brew on the go.
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| The view for tonight. Get those campers out of our line of sight. |
As Jackie had done all the
driving today I was i/c the Galley. My first task though was to pour ‘Drives’ a
nice Gin and Tonic.
