Escape to the north

Last week Gareth and I went on a four-day jaunt around Skye and north-west Scotland. We lucked out with 75% blue skies. Between this trip and Islay last July, I feel like I’ve used up my Good Scotland Weather allowance for life!

I don’t know what possessed us to plan 850 miles of driving in such a small time frame. Some of those miles were due to a ferry cancellation, but every time we stopped in yet another stunning, chilled out locale we’d say, “Why the hell didn’t we just stay here for three nights?”. I think it’s a hangover from my backpacking days when I felt like I had to cram in as many places as possible before I got deported.

I want to slap a general disclaimer on this whole post and say my iPhone snaps don’t do this stunning landscape justice. The clarity of the water and the scale of these mountains was overwhelming. It was falling in love with Scotland all over again. Also, many times there was so much glare from the sunlight (gasp) that I couldn’t see what I was shooting.

Our first stop was Mallaig and this beach where the film Local Hero was partially filmed. The sand was dazzling white.

Then off to Skye...

Middle aged holiday highlight: two of out the three B&Bs we stayed at provided face cloths/flannels. I always pack my own as I haaate when they only give you soap to wash with. I don't feel clean unless I can get a good scrub happening. Is anyone else with me on this!?

If you're ever in Skye and visit Talisker Distillery, be sure to go to Talisker Beach as well. It is stunning. The sand is a moody silvery grey and the bay is utterly peaceful. Look at other people's pictures to get a better idea!

After Skye we headed for Kinlochewe which is at the end of Loch Maree, one of my favourite lochs in Scotland.(By the way, Loch Ness is one of the most batshit boring lochs in Scotland, IMHO. That's why they had to make up the Monster; to get you to go there.)On the way to Kinlochewe the evening was so clear and bright that we couldn't resist a detour over Bealach na Bà, the notorious pass over to Applecross. It's full of crazyass hairpins and dramatic views. The haggard clutch of our car was begging for mercy (it's done 230,000 miles!).

Stay tuned for the last two days, including more cows on a beach and a visit to mainland Scotland's Most Northerly Public Toilet! Yep, we know how to party.

Cape Wrath + the most remote public toilet in mainland Britain

A very small shark bit my arm - Part 3

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