Day 27 - Inverness, Loch Ness and to Skye

We leave home early and drive up through the Cairngorms National Park to Inverness, which is north into the Highlands of Scotland.  The mountains are very high on either side of the road.  We see snow on the mountains in the distance where the ski resort of Aviemore is situated.

The views are beautiful.  It has steadily started raining more and more during the day.  Inverness is an old town, with a high bridge going over the sea to another side of the town.

We then drive south west down the waterside towards LochNess.  The Loch is enormous and the water is choppy.  We stop at a view point along the way, and Paul finds a stairway down to the water's edge.  He said the Loch looked like it needed 'topping up'...So guess what?...  Yes... out comes the "Wee Monster" and Paul takes a wee into the loch! Got it on camera!

Before anyone recognizes us, we rush on down the road and stop at a little picturesque village along the way at the end of the loch called Drumnadrochit where Paul has a local beer, and I have an "Illy" double espresso! Yummy!

Carrying on our journey, we get to another little hamlet called Cluanie and I spot some deer off to the side of the road. We pull over and park at the Cluanie Inn, and walk to the back of the buildings and sure enough, there's a herd of Scottish red deer.   

While Paul is photographing them I notice a pair of antlers peeping up from behind a small rise, and we wait ... and sure enough, here comes the stag.  He walks very tentatively and then looks at us and stares for a few seconds, then moves a few feet again, then looks at us.   

Amazing photo opportunity!

And so on and on in the rain we travel.  Getting to Eilean Donan Castle. This is the home of the McRae clan, so Paul is excited.  He has been here before, yes, in a previous life, but also with a previous wife!

It is raining so hard, that we decide to move on to Isleof Skye and try getting into the castle in the morning.  Hope the rain may have stopped.  

Driving this windy cliff side road towards the end of the land, we get to the bridge that goes over the sea to the island.  The weather is so bad and the wind is so strong, they have stopped any high-sided vehicles like trucks from crossing the bridge. 

It is exciting to be on the Isle of Skye eventually.  Very beautiful, and WET !

We drive through some villages around to the other side of the island, about 40 miles, and stop at another highlight of our trip... The Talisker Whisky Distillery !!!

When we go inside, the tours are all full for the rest of the day, but I pleadingly ask if they could perhaps squeeze one more person on their last 4pm tour.  "Yes" she says !

So off Paul goes, and I slip out to the car with my iPad, and a huge smile on my face, to update this blog and share our day with you all. 

Next stop is our B&B in Portree.  We are staying at a lovely Guest House in the village of Portree (or as they say in Gaelic Port Righ) on the East side of the island. Welcomed by the warm and friendly owner, Barbara, our room is spotlessly clean, absolutely beautiful and luxurious. Everything we need is supplied.  We unpack our luggage and head into the village to look for a venue for dinner, one of a few recommended by Barbara.  We settle in at The Granary, where we have an excellent dinner.

Paul orders a drink for me and a 'Skye Red' local beer for himself.  He said it is really great beer.

I ordered the Poached Pear and Brie with Walnuts to start.  Wow!

Paul orders the Mussels poached in Apple Cider and Celery..  a very generous portion!

For mains I ordered the Trio of Breaded Fish (salmon, sea bass and haddock), served with Chips and Tartare Sauce... Very yummy!

Paul settles on the Sea Bass served on Creamed Potatoes with Prawns, Salmon, and Smoked Haddock.  What a feast!!

Back at the Guest House, Paul has an early night... he is exhausted from all the driving.

Goodnight!