We had heard all the tales about the bad weather on the island but the forecast was good - so armed with midgie repellant off we set.
Our first stop was Plockton - to see the palm trees. Its a beautiful little village full of interesting little cottages and shops.
We ate our picnic just outside the village by a little stream where the local highland cows took an interest. The are beautiful creatures - and kept stopping the traffic by standing in the middle of the single track road!!
After pitching the tent at Kinloch Camp site close to Dunvegan village we set out to visit Coral Beach. Its the only "sandy" beach on the island - although it isn't actually sand. Its a coral like substance which is really pale in colour formed by some sort of algea. The cows seemed to like it - it must retain the heat as a whole herd of them were lying down on the beach - not something you see every day!!
Our tent.
Views from our campsite which was right on the banks of Loch Dunvegan.
On Sunday we toured around the north of the island. My favourite place was Stein village - it was so peaceful. I have never seen sea so clear - and the view was to die for.
The boys at the ruins of Trumpan Church. The MacLeods used to worship here, but one Sunday in 1578 the MacDonalds of Uist landed on the beach, barred the church door, and set fire to the building. All the worshippers were burned to death except for one girl who escaped and warned the MacLeods at Dunvegan Castle. A MacLeod force, carrying their magic Fairy Flag which guaranteed them victory in battle, managed to reach the scene in time to set upon the MacDonalds and slaughter them to a man. Under the church lie the bones of the vanquished MacDonalds.
Then we set off to find Fairy Glen near Uig. Not easy when there are no signposts to tell you the way but a lovely lady in a local pottery pointed us in the right direction. And what a wierd and wonderful place it was - it looked like a set from lord of the Rings - I kept expecting a small hobbit to jump out!! Strange conical shaped hills and rocky outcrops and minature lochs. It was roasting hot but that didn't stop the boys running up and down all the hills. We had a picnic while we were there - and all your could hear was birdsong and a waterfall across the valley - no other people and no traffic - I have never been somewhere quite so peaceful.
Up to the top of the Trotternish peninsula we went to see the ruins of Duntulm Castle - the views across to the Hebrides were stunning - the sky and sea so blue.
And finally on our way back to the Skye Bridge and the mainland we stopped off in Portree - a view of the harbour.
We had a fantastic couple of days and would love to go back - the boys saw dolphins and ospreys - and even though we did plenty of walking and sightseeing they throughly enjoyed themselves.
