Steph Crane

Managed to fit in a run this morning as we were on a campsite (showers available). Not getting in half as much exercise as I normally would so feel like I’m turning to mush! Up and on it early as wanted to cram in a lot. Left about 8ish for a short drive over the bridge to the Isle of Skye, the land of the pothole! The main roads were fine but once you got to the smaller lanes the potholes are huge, proper bone shakers. Poor Eddie. We first aimed for The Storr, a huge rock formation but sadly the carpark was rammed even that early. We stopped a little further up for some brief snaps and saved ourselves a hike up, probably just as well with the healing ankle. On a little way to a cliff side waterfall. Quite epic what with the rain we’ve had though viewing angle not great. Next on to a prehistoric beach full of fossilised shells and apparent dinosaur footprints. There were lots of dents in rocks but who knows? Very interesting to amble around though and added to my increasing rock/shell collection. Hoping to have the weather now to sit out and engrave them.
We carried on driving anticlockwise to the north of the island then back down the west coast following a farmer on a golf buggy looking vehicle with a cage in the back with a couple of sheep and lambs and the dog just stood balancing on the back seat. So mesmerising to watch I actually took a wrong turn but it meant we got to follow her to the field she was going to.
On to Fairy Glen that Mike had told us about. A magical place with huge grassy, conical, mound structures that no one really knows how they got there including a tiny, fairy’s sized stone circle. Myth says you mustn’t upset the fairies and here they don’t like whistling, swearing or hands in pockets. Mike said on one of his tours once, a man he was with was told this which he thought was rubbish so did all 3 “f** you, fairies” and fell straight down the hill, broke his ankle! Mike had to accompany him to the hospital! True story. Don’t mess with the faeries. The sun was coming out so quite a pleasant wander around plus a steep, narrow climb to the top of one of the rocks, should you wish to. I did, but left Gary down below. Great views. We headed back out of the island, stopping for tea and cake at a lovely spot by the sea then headed off the island to Eilean Donan castle, quite excited as this is where part of Highlander was filmed, amongst other films. It had actually been rebuilt in the early 1900s from a ruin but looks spectacular on an islet by the water. Good nose round with lots of family history and family photos everywhere. Lots of photos later and a visit of the gift shop then onward to find an overnight stop with good enough internet for the footy.
Found a lovely spot next to a canal lock by a loch (loch Locky). Good internet and lovely views. Made dinner, quick MAFS catch up then Gaz settled for footy whilst I did a quick litter pick as there’s was lots of rubbish around then went for a wander watching the sun set over the loch/mountains. Beautiful. First night I’ve been able to be outside with it not being either high winds or raining.
We actually left the NC500 route yesterday as it circles back up to Inverness, instead we are now slowly snaking back down in a southerly direction along the more scenic west coast.Okumaya devam et