Day 7: Portree, Isle of Skye - Wednesday, 4 September

Weather: 6º - 15º - Sunny 

Accommodation: Burnbrae Apartment, Portree

What a difference a day makes! Or as Annie says, “The sun will come out tomorrow…”. And it sure did! We had a terrific day touring the area north of Portree in wonderful sunshine. We  drove an anti-clockwise route on the narrow highway A855 around the coastline of the Trotternish Peninsula calling into the major attractions. We left at 8.45am and arrived back at our apartment at 3.00pm ready for a cuppa and a rest before going out for an early dinner.

Our first stop was a short one up the road to the Old Man of Storr, a 50m tall pinnacle about 2.5kms from the road. 

We were told to arrive early as there was limited parking and hundreds of tourists. We thought we were early at nine o’clock but we weren’t and managed to secure the last parking space and it was mayhem. They needed Eilean Donan’s very efficient parking attendants! There were many tourists who had to leave their vehicles on the side of the narrow road and walk a considerable distance to the start of the climb.

The climb was steep with many, many uneven, stony steps. It took us one hour fifteen minutes to reach the far summit and it only took us forty-five minutes to descend to the car park. We were pleased that we walked on from the base of Old Man Storr where the main trail ends to the far summit as there were stunning panoramic views over Old Man Storr, Loch Leathan and the Bay of Rasaay. It was quite windy and cold at the top.  

From Old Man of Storr we drove further up the coast to Kilt Rock and Mealt Falls. The Mealt Falls are fed by the Mealt Loch and the water plummets from the top of the cliff to the rocky coastline below. My photo does not do it justice. 

By this stage we were getting hungry so decided to press on to Skye Museum of Island Life with its focus on crofting. When we arrived at the museum the teeny tiny coffee place had very little to offer as the fridge had broken down. So, Henk chose a coffee and a Bakewell Tart and I had a packet of crisps. We then ventured into the museum which consists of an amazing preserved township of seven original thatched cottages giving an insight into tough the conditions of island life of the crofters over 100 years ago. 

The houses were tiny, with very thick stone walls and low ceilings. All the cooking was done on a peat fire which ran day and night in the main room of the house. 

From the museum we visited Uig on the western side of the peninsula where the popular Uig Pottery originates. It sits beside the Uig Pier and has fabulous views over the harbour from its gallery. The pottery mostly has decorations inspired by the surrounding sea and landscape. Seven potters are employed at the pottery.

We left for dinner at 5.30pm and secured the second last table at The Isles Inn. We were starving after having very little lunch. I chose the hake with warm salad and it was delicious.

At 7.00pm when we emerged from the busy restaurant and we walked down to the harbour. It was a lovely sunny evening but it was quite chilly. We passed quite a number of restaurants with people queuing outside.

The harbour was looking lovely with the sunset over the town. 

We were back at the apartment at 7.30pm feeling tired after this morning’s strenuous climb. We walked 11kms today. 

And finally…