Isle of Skye, An Dùn Baeg

 Sometimes things just work out.  Sandy and I rose early to catch the ferry leaving from the mainland of Scotland to the Isle of Skye.  We had received a notice from the ferry company that the ferry we were scheduled on was cancelled (due to Covid we later found out).  We were hoping to find a space on an earlier and smaller boat.  As we drove up we were informed that we could not get on the 9:20 ferry but if I could wait an hour and a half he would put us on the next one out, still a small ferry, but big enough to get us to the island.  We spent that hour in the nice little Scottish village of Mallaig.  Even better, our time was well spent in a postcard perfect tea house.  We had been on the road for an hour and half and had not yet had our first cup of coffee.  This place was exactly what we needed. A strong cup of black coffee and my first scone since arriving in Scotland.

Our view from the ferry as we were heading toward the Isle of Skye

The island of Skye is magnificent.  The weather is crisp but pleasant and today, at least, no rain.  Between Sandy and I, we must have taken several hundred pictures.  We could have taken more but that at times we were simply "in the moment" and not thinking of taking pictures at all.  I don't think I will ever be able to describe  what we saw or how we felt while viewing it, but enough to say that the glens, shorelines and mountains are beautiful, unique, and at times absolutely breathtaking.  We are so glad to have included Skye in these travels.

                                                                Heather

Highland Cattle

Talisker Distillery (closed on Sunday!)

An Dùn Baeg

Tonight we are staying at a Bed and Breakfast.  The Green Acres Guest House.  The host is a friendly redhead, and the house with its views over Loch Portree, is unbeatable.  

After driving over here for several days I thought perhaps this would be a good time to discuss their cars and their roads.  First thing first, they do drive on the wrong side of the road.  I don't know why they do it, they just do.  Honestly, it did not take me long to get used to everyone driving on the lefthand side.  I am disappointed, though, that they can't seem to get used to me driving on the right hand side.  As expected, the steering wheel is on the righthand side of the car.  The clutch, brake and accelerator are lined up as in the USA, but of course, the gear shift is on the left side.  Also the gears line up like American cars... first gear being in upper left working down then up and across as one shifts through the gears.  So instead of working through the gears away from the driver, I actually bring stick shift towards me.  Reverse is closest to the driver and down.  

Now look at these roads I am driving.  Two-way roads wide enough for only one car.  Sharing these roads with bicyclists, hikers, cars and sheep; and me shifting with my left hand!  What could possibly go wrong?