Jake the Juke was rearing to go for day two on Stein. The weather was nice and sunny, but rain was forecasted for late afternoon so we wanted to take advantage of the clear skies while we could.
Our plan was to tour the entire Northern coast of Skye, with several stops and hikes mapped along the way. We pulled out of our one-way drive on Stein and headed off with sheep, cows, lambs and water surrounding us. The Fairy Glens are located in Uig, an area of Skye that is mostly inhabited by green grasses and a few locals sprinkled throughout. This place was as magical as it sounds; sweeping hills, pools of fresh water, massive crags and rocks scattered across the land. We headed off to summit the highest hill we could find. What a view! Scotland sure has a way of putting the world into perspective, especially when you’re standing on one of the country’s mountains overlooking the world below.
The Skye Museum of Highland Life was next and whewph… Am I impressed with the folks that used to live on Skye back before hot water, television and electric heat. This museum essentially preserved a township of traditional thatched cottages that used to make up all of Skye at the end of the 19th century. One of the first cottages was home to … Wait for it … the Graham’s … until 1957 when the last family member left the house. The conditions inside were insane: a small peat fire, 4×4 kitchen, a few sleeping rooms and small beds. The wind was whipping outside and the wooden door was banging away as we read about the history of the Graham family – they must have been bad asses to live up on that hill on Skye during the winter months. I would have died!
The other thatched cottages mimicked rooms you would a typically find like a shed of farming tools used to keep the land clean, the “Old Smithy” who used to craft tools and weaponry from iron, and the barns where cows were tended to. I guess you can say technology and modern times aren’t so bad when you think about the hard working lives these folks lead day in and day out.
Wind whipped from our tour of the Museum, we decided to pop into John and Fiona’s favorite cafe in the area – Side Track. What a lovely little coffee and sweets shop they have. John and Fiona did not lie about them having the best tasting treats on the Isle, plus the cafe overlooks the water which makes for pleasant views as you chat away. I don’t even like coffee… but man did their Belgian Mocha hit the spot! Patrick ordered a slice of apple cake and I asked for some pea and onion soup, which totally reenergized us for the next stops on our route.
We hiked through the Quairing- where movies like Prometheus and Skyfall were partially filmed – before driving on to Kilt Rock for stunning views of a waterfall that leads right into the ocean. Our adventures ended in the city of Portree, which is the largest on the Isle. It was a wonderfully productive day of hiking and sightseeing; we certainly earned the seven course dinner that was waiting for us at The Three Chimneys later that night.
Again, Patrick will follow with the goods on our food in Skye and then we’ll share details on our hike through Skye’s fairy pools, before heading back to the mainland for a look at the Glenfinnan Viaduct (Harry Potter train) and an intense climb through Glencoe to reach the infamous “Hidden Valley”.
Cheers,
Two for Takeoff
