As the sun was almost hidden behind the horizon, we jumped back into the car and drove towards Kyle, to cross the unique Skye Bridge (1). For years the only access to the island was via a ferry but it all changed in 1995 when the construction of the bridge was completed. The magnificent Skye Bridge leads over Loch Alsh to the Eilean Ban and then connects the island to the Isle of Skye. The whole construction is very impressive and gives a lot more flexibility to all the travellers as you don’t have to worry about missing your ferry. For all the lighthouse lovers reading this - on the Eilean Ban you can admire a lovely, currently decommissioned, old lighthouse which was built in 1857.
For our accommodation on the island we have chosen the Armadale Castle Lodges and Suites (2) located on the Sleat Peninsula. This is a perfect accommodation for any family as for a very reasonable price (at least when travelling out of season 😉) you can book a large suite with a fully equipped kitchen and living room. All guests have also access to the lovely Castle Gardens, which are one of a kind.
While staying tat the Armadale Castle you can also take a tour at the local Museum of the Isles. The accommodation is dog friendly and there is also an option to enjoy a snack or a pint of local ale in the café at the front of the hotel. There was no problem with us being late, way pass the check in time, which was a major relief.
Tired but happy we went to bed with the alarm set for 7 am, as the schedule of the next 2 days was very tight.
The sun was shining, birds were singing and, even though I was half dead from the long drive the day before, I dragged myself out of bed. As I have already mentioned in the previous blog entry, if you travel to the Isle of Skye by car, you have the freedom to take some extra food with you which does prove very practical and useful if you travel during bank holidays where most of the shops are closed or 13 miles away from your hotel. Optionally, booking accommodation with breakfast included might also be a good idea.
Finally, after having some food, with tea and coffee in our flasks, we headed out to continue our adventure.
The beginning of the road offers a magnificent view of the Sound of Sleat and the mountains of Knoydart. Then, when you slowly move away from the coastline, you seem to enter a different realm. Yellow grass, brown branches of low bushes, hardly any trees and large amounts of heather that, at this time of year, create dark patches on the ground. Empty spaces, one main road, red rocks, and few scattered, lonely houses in the distance.
Our first stop, the Sligachan Old Bridge (3). I must say I was very pleased to see a small but well-prepared car park right next to it. It might be a bit too small when it gets a bit busier after April, but out of season it was perfectly sufficient and FREE. Again, if you don’t have much time to spare, you can just take a short hike alongside the river that runs under the bridge, which does offer some stunning views.
Not that far from the bridge you will be able to see some lovely waterfalls. In general, the Cuillin mountain range is said to be one of the most dramatic ones in Britain and is very popular amongst climbers. On top of that, if you have time to venture a bit further, there is a trail that leads through the Cuillin Protection Area where you can spot the Golden Eagles!
Useful tip for all the ladies reading this blog entry, according to a legend, if you dip your face in the water below the Sligachan Old Bridge you will be granted eternal beauty.
After taking tones of photos we drove to our next destination, The Fairy Pools..
..TBC ..
If you are planning to visit Scotland, you may also like this blog entry:
https://www.beautifulbritain.info/single-post/2018/06/16/Isle-of-Skye---part-2---The-Fairy-Pools
https://www.beautifulbritain.info//single-post/2018/04/22/Driving-through-Scotland---The-Highlands