The path to Sandaig runs through native forest just beginning to regrow after the forestry commission cut down the pines. Birch, alder and myrtle are growing with bracken and purple and white heathers. Butterflies, dragonflies, pondskaters and wheatears bustle busily among the flowers. Down at the Ring of Bright Water we are tempted by the warm sun and calm water and get naked for a dip.
Last night we camped at a tiny site tucked away at the top of Glenelg. No phone reception at all, hence not posting Day 2 until this morning. At bedtime the dreaded Scottish midgie made itself familiar with our persons, so despite the fabuloussunset over Skye to the west we retreated into the campervan where we doused ourselves with Skin So Soft (Avon’s best seller in the Highlands due to its magical midge repellent properties) and smoked ourselves out with Citronella fumes.
After our luxurious dip at Sandaig and the slow walk back up to the car we got the ferry to Kylerhea where we watched a large gang of seals playing or hunting in the strong current, sometimes even breaching. Having nipped on to Skye we nipped off again over the Skye bridge and had a properly luxurious picnic overlooking the Kyle of Lochalsh.
Chris was keen to show the children one of the most photogenic castles in Scotland. The first time I saw it, at sunset one day about thirteen years ago, I was in raptures and desperate to take aphoto. On this occasion though, Chris called outto “look at the castle,” and while Charlie fumbled for his camera, Isobel merely glanced up from her book and then got straight back into it - you can’t win them all! Coming over the Bealach an Ba to Applecross though, they were both excited by the undulations, switchbacks and breathtaking views of the road. We got booked in at Applecross campsite, had a fabulous dinner at the pub and are now enjoying a pint al fresco while thechildren potter on the shoreline.
No comments:
Post a Comment