Days 5 and 6: Lambs and Lochs, Wind and Rocks

Day 5: The weather for our last day on Skye made itself known. All of us ended that day’s hike headed into the wind, with horizontal rain peppering our faces. Some did the “long option,” an end-to-end 8-mile hike. I opted for the 5-mile out-and-back, and I could have turned back sooner than I did. I ended up being the only one on the “short option” to go all the way to the “Clearance Village,” an area strewn with rocks that were formerly stone houses, before the landlords cleared (hence, “clearance”) out the human inhabitants and replaced them with herds of sheep, which were more profitable tenants at that time than subsistence farmers. 

I pushed on because the “out” part of the hike had the wind at my back and only a light drizzle. But when I turn around for the “back” portion, the wind and rain really picked up. My rain pants purchased for this trip were excellent at channeling rain directly downward into my boots.

But I knew I had lunch and a dry set of clothes back at the trail head. And one of our guides caught up with me as I was on my way back, so even though I could only hike with head down, eyes on the rocky path, in order to keep the rain from beating against my face, I enjoyed good company and good conversation. Not a single member of our group regretted doing the hike. 

Hike along the coastline of Loch Slapin. Apparently, one might have a beautiful view of Bla Bheinn mountain (or “Munro” as they are known here). We didn’t have a view of anything except the lack of wind breaks across the bleak landscape. Even the baby lambies used mom as their shield against the wind.

Day 6: Our little Backroads group had already begun to shrink the day before, as some headed off to their next adventure. By the morning of Day 6, only 7 of us went on the final outing, a tour of the woodland and gardens, as well as the building itself, of Cawdor Castle. I did wish I had worn my already-muddy boots, as the grounds were quite wet. Nevertheless, the castle and personal tour — and especially the scones waiting for us at the end — were lovely.

And thus ends the first half of my trip. I made my way to the small guest house in Inverness that is home for the next two nights. Thankfully, it has laundry facilities!!! I was soooo excited to learn that! My wet and muddy gear is now washed and dried. 

I’m taking the rest of the day to rest, process, decompress, clear my head. So much could be said about the group, the people, an individual or two, but I would not violate privacy and anonymity, so I’ll keep that in my thoughts rather than on the page. Tomorrow I’m going to Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle through a small-group tour company I found. I hope my day will be filled not only with beautiful sights but also with people and stories and perspectives that are brand new. No matter what happens, it will unfold exactly as it should.

Cawdor Castle and grounds, including tea and scones by this gorgeous tree.