As we were at Eilean Donan Castle it was only 10 mile to the Isle of Skye. Last time I went to Skye I used a ferry from Kyle of Lochalsh – today of course we drove through there and used the bridge.
Jeremy took the above photo as we crossed the bridge.
Kyleakin
click on the above image for a larger version
Broadford
Where the sun came out.
above Beinn na Caillich
If you go to Broadford try the Beinn na Caillich Cafe it was very good.
The outlook for the day was showers, heavy at times, so we decided to go to Eilean Donan Castle – as it was indoors.
The journey was right across Scotland to the west coast – using roads that cut through some amazing scenery – unfortunately the weather stopped us taking any photos of the journey.
Coffee stop at Achnasheen – the cafe is right by the station, both are in the middle of nowhere!
The road and railway are very close most of the way to Kyle of Lochalsh.
Eilean Donan Castle
It was quite dark and stormy when we got there.
click on the above image for a larger version
click on the above image for a larger version
Eilean Donan Castle Read More »
We went with Anne’s suggestion and visited Eilean Donan Castle – and we saw the Charles 1st Siege Tokens – coin sized, triangular tokens stamped clearly with “Newark”. No photographs allowed inside the castle but we got this shot from outside.
Thanks Anne.
Eileen Donan Castle Read More »
We were originally heading west this morning – but when the mountains in the distance started to disappear in the rain we turned south.
Clash Wood
The rain caught up with us here so we headed into Inverness.
Inverness
Where it was raining – so we went to the museum.
The Achavrail Armlet
Whilst in the museum Jeremy and I sat down and played the ancient game of Merrells – google it to find out more! I won.
After a Chinese lunch the sun came out and the walk along the River Ness was excellent.
Dingwall
After several games of Rummikub and crib, back at the tent we went for an evening walk to the Firth and the town.
rain clouds on the way
It did not rain overnight – however I had just set up for my early morning brew when is started raining – so I had to retreat into the tent. Our tent has a small living area in front of the bedroom, with enough headroom for me to sit on a stool and safely use a gas stove.
The rain was so hard at times it was drumming on the tight tent roof – but this still could not wake Jeremy up.
It did brighten by 10am allowing us to have breakfast outside – but we have decided today is a good day to spend at the campsite. There were some bright spells between the five minute showers and heavy grey clouds.
We watched one of the campers chase her dog round the field – she let the dog off it’s lead, the Jack Russell chased the rabbits (of which there are dozens at any one time on the campsite) and she chased the dog!
We played Rummikub…
…and Jeremy did some busking.
Just before coming away I bought a new tent – a lightweight, one person MSR Hubba. Because the tent can be erected without pegs, I had put it up in our living room and in a friend’s conservatory but today was the first chance to put it up outdoors and pegging it out.
It came with six light alloy stakes but I have replaced these with eight titanium hooked pegs. It takes just six pegs to put the tent up, the extras are, a second peg for the door and one for a rear guy line. This guy was not supplied with the tent but I am going to add one for stability in windy conditions and also to use as a line for drying equipment on.
Here are the weights in grams – total is 1374g.
This is much lighter than my previous backpacking tent (a Coleman Bedrock II) and it packs much smaller. This packed size was the most important reason for changing my tent as it now gives me more useable volume in my Golite Jam backpack, for food and equipment on multi-day trips.
Compared to the wedge shaped Coleman tent it has more useable space as the porch is larger, although the floor area in the inner tent is smaller. However with the arched shape I can comfortably sit up in the centre of the tent and safely use my MSR Pocket Rocket stove, on a 100g gas bottle, in the shelter of one on the doors – and if the wind changes direction (as it did a few weeks back when I was camping at Dunbar) I can use the other door.
The tent is simple to put up – but I was doing it in no wind – on a windy mountain it would be a bit more “flappy”!
I was going to sleep in it tonight but after getting the tent up there were a number of strong rumbles of thunder, so rather than have a wet tent to deal with in the morning, I packed it away and will use it overnight, later on this holiday.
There was a little light rain, not a storm, just enough to make things damp but it stopped after twenty minutes, so I could have used the new tent.
New Backpacking Tent – MSR Hubba Read More »
The railway runs behind the Dingwall Camping and Caravan site – although the trains are frequent they do not really disturb us.
The footpath into the town crosses the line and with the sun this morning it made for a good photo – with a little help from Pro HDR, to balance out the light and add a bit to the saturation.
We headed north today and out to the coast near Nigg.
Ballintore
These fish are part of a number of public art exhibits along the coast.
A close up.
The Mermaid of the North
The rocks on the beach had interesting patterns in them.
click on the above image for a larger version
Tarbat Ness
We walked along the cliff tops and were able to easily get down to the sea – and we somewhere suitable for lunch. Here is a shot of Jeremy preparing the lunch on the Crusader stove – meatballs and crackers, followed by bananas and peach tea.
This is where we were having lunch.
We then walked up and around the point near the lighthouse.
click on the above image for a larger version
With it starting to get cloudy we decided to head back to the tent – Jeremy to read a book and me to work on a quote for a prospective new client.