Tuesday 12 October 2021

Over the Skye Bridge and home.

Shall we make this the last holiday post, I think so. I got off the boat at Uig, and drove down through Skye. The weather was not too good. I had wanted to walk over the Skye Bridge, and on the way up there I saw a possible parking place to enable me to do that. It was a small town, and wasn't that close to the bridge to be honest. There was nowhere closer to park. 
I pulled into the car park at Kyleakin and took a photo. The bridge was shrouded in mist. I decided that the views were not going to be good if I walked over it, so I gave it a miss. 
I had a little bimble around the town while I was there. This was pretty impressive. Three wind turbine blades loaded onto the vessel Fluvius Kenn. I don't know if it was on an outbound or an inbound journey. There was no one to ask. 
There is a lorry parked by the side of it, and a crane waiting. Are they going to unload it, or have they just loaded it. According to Marine Traffic the ship is currently in port at Marin, Spain. It was built in 1991 and sails under the flag of Barbados. More information is available on Marine traffic but there is a charge to join. 




Next to the dock is the railway station. The Royal Scotsman is parked here. 

The station platform is reflected in the dining carriage window. Tables are set. 

I've been checking out the prices on the web site. The cheapest is £3,800 for a two night trip in a twin cabin. I don't think this will be going on my bucket list. 

I filled up with petrol for my journey home, and set off down the A87. I had no idea where I would be stopping, but I rather fancied the idea of getting a room. I would drive until I had enough then look for a B & B.

Through Invergarry, keep going. Turn right on the A82, through Spean Bridge. I thought Fort William would be a good place to stop, but 'No Vacancies' signs told me to carry on a bit further. Glencoe looked promising, no B & B vacancies so I looked at a camp site. Big sign, full up. Crianlarich might be good, nope, camp site full, didn't see anything. By now I had had enough of driving, so I looked for a layby. Found one. That's it. Another night in the car. That's the good thing about taking your bed with you. Park up anywhere. 

The rest of it was pretty straight forward, get on the M9 motorway at Stirling, and head south. I hit home at 6pm. All is well, cats pleased to see me. 

Thanks for sticking with me to the end. I write this as a record of memories for me to look at when I am old and grey. I think if I was coming up here again, I might stay on the mainland, and visit Skye. 

A bit overcast outside today. I might go a walk this afternoon. The days are getting shorter, I still need to get out. We'll catch up soon. Toodle pip.   ilona

32 comments:

  1. Glad you've enjoyed your travels Ilona. With the darker days and winter on the horizon you've just got to get out there haven't you.
    The car and a tent plus B&B's, gives you ultimate flexibility.
    I love a car camp. I know you're not bothered about going abroad but I can't wait to drive down to Spain for winter sun.
    Thanks for sharing your interesting journey.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't take the tent this time because of moving about so much, and the wind in Scotland. Couldn't face putting it up and taking it down multiple times. I will use it in future if I am in one place for two nights or longer.

      Delete
  2. What a shame you didn't explore Skye a bit - it's a lovely island, it really is. We camped at Glenbrittle when we went there.

    Our car is van-shaped and we could easily sleep in the back of it, but would need a good blow up mattress - tbh, my husband is probably too old for car camping now, but never say never.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You could have a trial car camp for one night, stay local.

      Delete
    2. I think we'll wait for some summer weather though, before giving it a try!!

      Delete
  3. Looks like you had a fantastic time! I often enjoy reading back through some of my old posts. I forget so much of what I've seen and done otherwise. Arilx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My memory is fading somewhat, it is nice to look back and think, yes, that was a good time I had.

      Delete
  4. Yes it's nice to have those memories. I stayed at Mallaig in a bunk house which was cheap and comfortable. The ferries go all over the place from there including Skye. The car camping sounds good.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have wanted to go to Mallaig, maybe I will next year.

      Delete
  5. Really enjoyed each chapter of your Scottish holiday Ilona it all looked interesting and pictures were great.so pleased you enjoyed it allx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fabulous scenery in Scotland. Maybe I will go again.

      Delete
  6. The Isle of Skye has always had a special place in my heart since reading a book (as a child) about a girl whose last name was MacLeod and spent a summer (I think) visiting the MacLeod ancestral home on Skye. I've since read other books set in Skye...none of them mentioned the MacLeods, LOL. I like to visit places that I've read about. It's why we once traveled 3,000 miles to vacation on Prince Edward Island (during my Anne of Green Gables phase). Great trip!

    Ilona, I am a little unsure how to sleep in a car the size of yours (which is about the size of mine). Do you recline the front seat, or is there room enough in the back to make up a bed? Note to Bovey Belle: A friend of mine and I once car camped in the back of a minivan. The trick with the air mattress is to blow it up inside the vehicle so that the shape conforms to the back of the vehicle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for your question. I will set the car up on my driveway so I can show how I do it.

      Delete
  7. Thank you so much for taking us on this journey with you! I have been places I know I never would have gone if not for you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. There are a lot of places I haven't been to in the UK. I must search out some of them.

      Delete
  8. It was very nice to read your trips thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you for sharing your holiday I enjoyed the commentary and photos. Happy memories.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's difficult to put the posts in the right order. Notes helps.

      Delete
  10. I've really enjoyed following your vacation posts.

    ReplyDelete
  11. If you are going to Skye and the Highlands after October 1st, you need to make reservations. A lot of places are closed due to it being the off season.

    Found this out the hard way a few years back. We went on a driving holiday and choices were very limited. Skye was impossible to find a place to stay and we wound up driving back to Inverness.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. A lot of B & B's put up a No Vacancies sign because they have closed, not because they are full up.

      Delete
  12. The Royal Scotsman is so beautiful, but the prices are way out of my price range. My hubby and I rode the Orient Express when it was falling apart, from Paris to Istanbul. Before it was refurbished, I hear it is gorgeous now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Those prices are only for posh people. I did the Settle to Carlisle run on a steam train, hoping to see some amazing sights as we went over the viaduct. When you are up high you don't see it. The viaducts are best viewed from the ground. Or from a drone film.

      Delete
  13. I felt like I were travelling with you, your photos and texts are so good! Thank you so much, especially now that each kind of journey feels like an expedition where you never know wether you shall be able to return.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel like I have done the whole journey again. It's a good job I made some notes. Where to next?

      Delete
  14. hello Ilona, Have really enjoyed reading about your wonderful holiday and seeing photos. Thank you for sharing ,i guess you are pleased to be back in your own bed!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Really enjoyed reading about your trip and enjoyed seeing your photos. I have been to the Highlands a couple of times but not any further. What an adventure.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Loved seeing your photos and reading about your trip. I feel like I've been on holiday without the hassle. I would love to see how you set up your car for sleeping in.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Thank you for telling us about your trips. Interesting narrative and great photos, and I hope you'll be off on your travels again very soon.

    Amanda, Sussex

    ReplyDelete
  18. I first went to Scotland on a school trip in 1966. Fifty-two years later, my wife and I went there for what will probably be the last time, to spend seven nights on Skye. Scotland never disappoints. I've seen the Outer Hebrides, but never set foot there. Now it feels like I have with your photos and descriptions Ilona. My wife and I went on a boat trip from Stein on Skye to St.Kilda, not the one in Australia, but the group of islands forty miles west of the Outer Hebrides. They can be seen from near Hosta on North Uist. Our boat passed between Harris and North Uist. A great day out, a long one and not cheap, although not the thousands it costs to go on the Royal Scotsman. The islands are one of only a few dual World Heritage Sites in the world. Many thanks for all the info about your trip. Charlie.

    ReplyDelete

Some comments will be accepted. I decide which are published.

Note: only a member of this blog may post a comment.