Day 119 of international places giving smiles – Remembering Scotlands Isle of Skye and Loch Ness .
In 2012 we decided to explore the interiors of Scotland in detail. After moving out of the city and travelling for the whole day past hills, valleys and lakes, we finally cross a bridge across the see to reach and reach the famous island called the ‘Isle of Skye!’
Our first stop was at a very small village called Kyleakin, which had only one main street and one main store called ‘Aunty Macy’s village shop!’. While our fellow coach passengers got down at a local hotel, we proceed to stay in an actual home. We were welcomed by our hosts, a friendly old couple whose children had moved out to in the crowded city. So we got to use their cute bedrooms on the first floor with a really small shower cubicle.
When we got up the next morning, the colourful scenery of the previous evening was changed… the whole landscape was covered with a sheet of white fresh snow! We got homemade English breakfast, though our host was a bit flustered when I said that I don’t even eat eggs!
We then boarded our coach for a wonderful day of exploration. From the little villages and gentle scenery of the southern part of the island we even stopped to taste ice cold water of good health from a local spring! Soon the black shaded Cuillin Hills come into sight. From the top of the Cuith Raing view point, we got to see almost a 360* natural scenery that was simply unforgettable.
The next part of our excursion was to the famed Trotternish Peninsula. We drove northwards to the little port of Uig from where ferries would sail to the Outer Herbrides. At little Kilmuir we stopped at the grave of Flore MacDonald who, famously, assisted Bonnie Prince Charlie to escape from the troops that were hunting him by sailing him “over the sea to Skye” disguised as her maid.
Set round its natural harbour we had lunch the colourful town of Portree which is the island’s largest community. The name of the town means the “King’s Port” following a visit by King James V in 1540. Today the pretty painted houses which surround the harbour give Portree an old fashioned appeal. During our stop there we did some souvenir shopping at the interesting shops that surrounded Sumerled Square.
We then retraced our steps back to the mainland and through scenic Glen Shiel. We spent time discovering Scotland’s most famous mysterious lake the Loch Ness. In the windy cruise on the huge lake, we actually waited for the imaginary famous dragon to rise up from the waters, such is the hype created about it for gullible tourists like us by our charming guide! We sailed past the Urquhart Castle which sits overlooking the deepest part of Loch Ness, so it’s a popular place with “Nessie” spotters!
It was a perfect end for the day at the cute Drumnadrochit village. And we just had to patronize the Riddlers pub that had been voted as Scotlands best malt whisky bar for three years in a row!
So which place made you smile today?
Be grateful for the places that make you smile!
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