I think that this was the first, and possibly the only Easter Scotland trip when I did not bag a Munro. The weather best described as “Scottish”. As always though a jolly good time was had by all. Now that we had acquired digital cameras the number of photos increased exponentially making it hard to cut the number down.
We started our trip by driving from York having visited our long time friends Steve and Gail Vickers. As was usual at that time, we had a long list of groceries to buy, We headed to the local Tesco and filled the car with chocolate, breakfast serial, whatever was on our list from Phil. Steve and Gail were amused by it all.
We arrived in Portree by 6:30 PM having dealt with slow traffic at the usuak places like Calendar and crossing the Skye bridge for the first time. After sorting our provisions it was time to eat and we joined John and Val for the walk to the Bosville Hotel where a large group had congregated. We had a nice meal, good beer and it was 11:45 when we made it to bed. Great to see everybody. Dave and Rosemary were heading to the Outer Hebrides for a few days and would miss much of the week.
Our house was called Druimgorm and we share it with Richard and Mandy, Dave and Rosemary, and John and Val. There might have been others, but I cannot recall them I think Jesper was one.
Communal eating was at the Portree Shinty Slub. Just right – good kitchen, games and a gym. Also on occasion a game of shinty was played on the field outside.
Sunday – The whole group set out for one of Skye’s most notable landmarks – Quirang. This easy to access area has some interesting geology and excellent views. My first visit there was in 1983 with Dave and Phil. I often wonder if people ever climd those pinnacles; it’s probably illegal, but the rough surface always looks as if one of those “human flies” that free climb in the most difficult places could make it.
Monday’s weather prospects were bad. So after commiserating with John and Val, we chose a day of driving around. . First stop was the Aros Centre where we bought postcards, souvenirs and guide books. Our next stop was the Talisker distillery in Carbost on the western side of the island. We joined the 12:45 tour and had a spot of whisky. After an abortive visit to a greasy spoon restaurant that turned out not to be open properly, we had a decent lunch with good beer at the “Old Inn”. An establishment that would figure highly in future visits to Skye.
We noticed some seabirds such as cormorants and shags then we drive back to Portree with a stop at Sligachan for a a mountaineering exhibit at the hotel.
Went back to our house, took pictures, enjoyed a snack and started preparation for the meal on Tuesday before walking to the Shinty club. Richard and Mandy had prepared a meal of cullen skink, turkey with all the trimmings, baked potato and veg with chocolate cream cheesecake dessert.
Tuesday had to be somewhat restricted because we were cooking starter and dessert. Tabooli salad for starter; apple cake and custard for afters. Even with the dull weather, we had a good day out and about in Portree and surroundings.
Wednesday held the prospect of a good day so many of us set out to take the ferry at Sconser to the Island of Rassay. John, Val, Dave L, Clive, Di, plus Betsy and I made the trip. We shared cars and after crossing to the island we drove to the end of the coastal track at North Fearns.
Immediately we saw an eagle, but a white tail (indicating a sea eagle) was not obvious. Other bords seen were ravens, black backed gulls, eider duck and a grey heron. The pleasant walk along the coast led to the remains of a crofting community at Hallaig which ended during the clearances.
Our next destination was the summit of Dùn Caan at the end of Loch na Mna. An easy ascent with lunch along the way. Betsy and I posed for a jig because there seems to be a tradition of this. Dr Johnson and James Boswell did the same thing on their visit on of about 1773.
We took the main track down across some good flat rock, then around some knolls to the forested area near the old mine car park where many of us waited and saw the eagle again. John went ahead to pick up the car at North Fearns, followed by me. After getting back into our vehicles we drove to the ferry and just had enough time to stop at the stores in Inverarish to pick up some postcards. We took a look at the hotel, but time was too short for us to stop for tea so we used the contents of our vacuum flasks.
After showers and clean clothes we headed for the Shinty club. Dinner was smoked salmon starter followed by Ian’s Malaysian curry with trifle for dessert.
Thursday: the original pland called for an ascent of the highest summit on Skye: Sgurr Alasdair. However, popular opinion was that a boat ride to Coriusk from Elgol with a walk back over the “bad step” and by Camasumary would be preferable. Almost everybody did this, but a few people took the ferry back rather than tackle the “interesting” walk back.
The boast was very full with 24 of us and 3 dogs. 20 people walked back.
When we reached the road (2.4 miles from Camasumary), the drivers had a ride to Elgol to collect the cars and we all headed back to Portree for G&T. A very good day with good weather.
Friday. The final day and the weather fore cats was good. Eleven of us chose to follow John and Val for a look at the Inaccessible Pinnacle, or Sgùrr Dearg as it’s known properly. The peak baggers among us knew that an ascent of this moderate rock climb was necessary at some point in order to complete the Munros, but nobody was planning to do it on this occasion (in fact many of us did this 6 years later, but more of that on another page). We started, as most people do, at the Glen Brittle Youth Hostel. and headed up the well worn path to Corrie Lagan where Sgùrr Alasdair is on the right, InPin is on the left and Sgùrr Mhic Chòinnich is in the middle. We descended by Corrie na Banachdich.
Saturday – drive to Manchester , stayed with Philip Beddard. we left early, but it took us until well into the evening before we arrived at his house near Manchester. A long drive in a single day