Days 3 and 4: Sun and Skye

Day 3: We had a second day of spectacular weather, fit for a 9-mile hike from Torridon to Coulags (and one might insert a bunch of Gaelic place names here, like Maol Chean-dearg, Ben Dàmh, or Liathach, but I really don’t know if I saw those. I just go where our leaders point, bless them).

As I write this, we are listening to local musicians play the harp and various pipes (including the “bag” variety), with a view of Loch Portree out the window.

View from the hotel our first night on the Isle of Skye

Day 4: The wind and mist and Highlands chill have caught up to us. We did a gorgeous hike today. I imagine. The cliffs that fell away from the trail and the rocky outcroppings and formations were breathtaking. I would guess. I was quite content with mist so thick my hair was soaked because there was no actual rain. The sounds and smells of the land were a treat for the senses. Those are harder to post to the internet. But I think a few of my photos are still worth sharing (see below).

Random observation: the landscape we experienced before Skye has not been my favorite. It’s rocky and barren, nearly treeless, with occasional streams, punctuated by wind-eroded mountain-hills. I read that the moorlands here, covered in heather which blooms purple and white in the fall, are not the native state of these lands. Deforestation began in Roman times. I think it is different here on Skye, when I could see a little more than 20 yards ahead or behind. It is grassier, with fields and hills punctuated by rocky outcroppings. 

Other random observation: traveling alone is wonderful and lonely. But I already knew that.

And now, photos (click to enlarge):

Day 3 in the sun: Torridon to Coulags hike

Day 4’s hike of the Quiraing on Skye. Misty along the top, but some views of lochs and lambs toward the end

Portree Harbour and a whisky tasting to end the day