Scotland 2015 - Day 11 - August 26, 2015

Yesteday we stayed in a caravan park near the town of Sligachan.  Well, I think it is a town because there is a dot on he map, but really, there is only a big hotel and a bus stop across the street.  It was the first camping spot we came to, it was getting late, it was raining.  Lots of people arriving; motorcyclists, bicyclists, backpackers who had ridden to the area in the city bus.  There was a feeling of urgency to get a spot (with electricty) before it was too late. And there were midges, swarms of them - everywhere.  We donned our midge nets immediately. We weren't going to sit outside and enjoy the ambience tonight, so we walked to the hotel and had dinner.  

Before hunkering down into our bed, I checked the sky last night and could see the Big Dipper pointing to Polaris just like it does in Oregon City.  But by the time morning came, rain filled the sky and so did the midges.  Thie is what happens when rain and midges combine forces - yep, breakfast in bed.

Today we followed the itinerary in Rick Steves' book.  Basically we circumnavigated the Trotternish Penninsula, the northernmost part of Skye..  

Tried to see Old Man of Storr, but there were too many clouds.

Then to Kilt Rock.  The way the cliff was formed, if you're very imaginative, you can see the pleats of a kilt.  

We tried on our new capes and were very dapper indeed.

W found this little roadside store called Mackenzie Store  It advertised take away so we stopped.

Next on the adgenda was a hike in the Quiraing, the northern end of the Trotternish Range.  The drive up was steep, twisty, and stunning.

You can see it was still raining and dark.  Dad was game, and we started walking. You can see the thin line of the trail.  

We stopped at the Skye Mueseum of Island Life - meh

and looked at the memorial to Flora McDonald, who supposdly saved Bonnie Prince Charlie's life after he escaped from the battlefield.  She disguised him as her Irish maid, and since he was very pretty (bonnie) anyway, the ruse worked.  I'll bet it never happened - just a faith promoting rumor somebody's cousin heard in the elevtor of the church office building.  Anyway, she has a good tombstone for her efforts. 

"Preserver of Prince Charles Stuart, her name will be mentioned in history, and if courage and fidelity be virtues, mentioned with honor.

We continued driving around the penninsula and took random photos so we will be able to remember the countrside.

We're in Dunvegan now at the caravan park.  It's too cold outside to be sitting at our table enjoing the view - so we're  in the van and this is what we see in front of us.

P

We have no service at all, so we'll find a little cafe that does.

I also see that the post from yesterday was never published, so I'll send two tonight.