Heading out of Inverness at 8:30am, we made our way to Loch Ness, where we had tickets for the 9am cruise along the lake towards the ruins of Urquhart Castle and back. There was a good, clear commentary about the history of the lake, the supposed viewings of Nessie (hoaxes), and the different castles and sights along the shores. It was a wet, bleak morning and I found it interesting to imagine Bonnie Prince Charlie fleeing along our route to the Isle of Skye after the battle at Culloden - we had the luxury of a road and warm bus! We had a coffee stop after the 1 hour cruise (and a nice GF brownie for me), before continuing our journey.
The rain got more steady the further west we went, but there was no wind and it wasn't cold. Scotch mist swirled around the hilltops. There were waterfalls forming. Some areas were beautiful green farmland or trees (sometimes forests), and others were more barren rocky areas, with heather starting to flower in a pinky purple colour.
We stopped for lunch at a very busy cafeteria beside Eilean Donan Castle. The weather was very wet by now. I had a nice GF lunch of 'Huntsman's chicken', potatoes and cabbage - it was basically a chicken breast wrapped in bacon, and cooked in a tomato sauce. Then we headed outside and David held an umbrella over me while I took some photos of the castle. It was very picturesque, even in the rain.
We stopped for lunch at a very busy cafeteria beside Eilean Donan Castle. The weather was very wet by now. I had a nice GF lunch of 'Huntsman's chicken', potatoes and cabbage - it was basically a chicken breast wrapped in bacon, and cooked in a tomato sauce. Then we headed outside and David held an umbrella over me while I took some photos of the castle. It was very picturesque, even in the rain.
Onwards we went, and it wasn't long before we were crossing the bridge to the Isle of Skye - I was surprised at how high the bridge was. 'Nek minute', we were in Broadford, at the Dunollie Hotel. No more than 20 minutes after arrival, we were on our way again, on the bus with a private guide, for a three hour tour of Skye.
The guide was excellent, very informative, and he basically talked to us constantly as we drove along (literally a running commentary). The views were very stark, and there was a bleak beauty in the rain and mist. We stopped at one point to look over a cliff top at the kilt rock formations of the area - so named because they seem to fold like the pleats of a kilt (Michelle presenting us with chocolates as we re-boarded the bus from the cold wind and rain - she'd very kindly kept aside two GF ones for me). Then we headed back to the hotel along the same road, stopping in the largest town of Skye - the town of Portree. I was glad to have stayed on the bus because moments after people disembarked, it was pouring again! Another 40 minutes, and at 6pm we were back at our hotel - flaked out, and wishing dinner was earlier than 7pm!
Dinner was in a dining room with a nice view out over the water. I had soup and GF bread. The main course was from the buffet and for once (first time this trip?) I was able to have gravy or a sauce on my meat, instead of it being dry and flavourless. I had roast beef, but had to drool over everyone else's Yorkshire pudding. Fruit salad for dessert again. I wouldn't mind, except that I am paying the same price as everyone else and know how easy it should be to simply make most things GF.
After the meal we went up to the lounge to get the wifi to do this blog post (no wifi in the guest rooms at this hotel) and there was some great accordion playing of traditional music happening.
After the meal we went up to the lounge to get the wifi to do this blog post (no wifi in the guest rooms at this hotel) and there was some great accordion playing of traditional music happening.
You can well appreciate when the Scots left their homeland for places like New Zealand, they found similarities that felt like home, but much better conditions; no where near as bleak and barren.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're having such a great time. Di