Indoor Adventures 11th Jan 2020

The weather forecast was for high winds, rain and hail. So we planned to do a few indoor activities - Go back to Skye Skyns and purchase a quad sheepskin, have lunch at that great little pub we found last time, the Stein Inn, Vince was chasing an out of print book so wanted to check out a rare book shop at Skeabost and whilst in the area we planned to visit Davina and her husband Rob to drop off some wedding cake.

Vince took a different road to Skeabost via Tote for a change and we saw a fold of Highland Cows that Harry (from Skye Photo Tours) had told us about, so that’s all three hearts on Skye we’ve seen now. We didn’t stop for photos though as the weather was pouring rain and they were quite far back in the field.

We went to the Skeabost to the book shop first, but it seemed no one was around, although there was a key in the door - we thought it best not to go in. Right next door I had seen a sign for an Art Gallery on the way in, so we stopped in there instead.

The note on the studio caller door said knock at the house, so we did. Gill (Jill) Williams answered and let us into the gallery. She is a photographer and her husband Ian is a multimedia artist in watercolour, acrylic and clay as well as an author. Vince and I were mesmerised by their work, Gill had some very interesting underwater shots of jellyfish as well as lots of beautiful iconic shots of Skye, Iona and Mull. She also had amazing Arora Borialis shots over Loch Snizort where they live. The view from the studio window out over the Loch was breathtaking and Gill told us about the multitude of wildlife they see regularly, Heron, Sea Eagles, Golden Eagles, Otters and Salmon.

Shortly afterward we entered the gallery, Ian joined us and gave us a tour of his work also, which was just inspiring. I loved his sculptures of driftwood, with clay salmon and clay otters. His watercolour wildlife shots were probably my favourite but I also loved his acrylics of the Cuillins. So much talent between the two of them. The four of us chatted and chatted about all sorts of things for about 2 hours. Vince mostly discussing photography with Gill and Ian and I discussing energy and the Universal messages and his creative journey following challenge and tragedy.

Ian gifted me two extracts from this “Book of Words” which made me cry they were so beautiful and meaningful to me. He said there are many channeled messages in the stories in his new book “Great Stories Written Badly” (10 GBP) so I agreed to purchase a copy which Ian signed for me.

I was humbled and privileged to be invited into his working space where he shared his personal notebooks and the exquisite original “Book of Words” which I was permitted to photograph on my iPhone. He shared his first published book with me “A Moment In Time on Skye” (10 GBP) which I wanted to purchase but had sold out, but Gill thought there might be one in the house - and there was! I asked Ian to sign it for me. We also got to meet their gorgeous Springer Spaniel (not sure of the name sorry) and talked about Ian’s police dog, Tyson - who was the most decorated animal on the force. Both Ian (Dog Squad) and Gill (Police Diver) had been police officers previously. Gill shared that although Tyson had be taught to “Challenge” if anyone came near the police van, whenever she was around he would hide his head and look away so he didn’t have to challenge her - he loved her to bits! Gill told Vince they have had their Silver wedding anniversary - wow not many couple we know have made it to 25 years or more - great job guys!

We also purchased an aluminium print (30 GBP) from Gill of the Cuillins showing reflection and great colours. She gets them done in Germany from a company online called “My Picture” (my-picture.co.uk) so I will need to check that out for my own work at some point. I asked her about here Northern Lights shots and she shared her knowledge and experiences and invited us along next time she goes out if we want. ABSOLUTELY! YES PLEASE!

Interestingly, they had heard about the two Australians who had renewed their wedding vows on New Year’s day as they know Davina! Small world indeed on Skye!

Whilst we had been spending time at the Gallery, their neighbour Gill (Gilleasbuig Ferguson) owner of the rare books store had returned home, so we stopped in there and he had one of the books Vince was after (10 GBP).

Running a little behind schedule by this stage we went to the Stein Inn for lunch. Vince had Fish Cakes with Skinny Chips and I had a Sticky Toffee Pudding and Ice Cream (YES you can have desert for lunch if you want!) and I had a Isle of Skye Whiskey and Ginger Ale (Dry Ginger) and Vince had a Coke (30 GBP in total).

Then it was just up the road to Skye Skyns and we caught up with our old mate Mike (who had shown us through the tour previously). I discussed our needs with him and it was all sorted, we would choose a quad skin, do all the paperwork, take it home to Willie McLeod’s to use whilst we are here on Skye, then return it to them to be shipped back home! Fantastic! We choose a beautiful Cappuccino Natural coloured fleece (437 GBP including shipping and saving 20% VAT) and it is just gorgeous!

All packed up we were back in the car and on our way to Davina’s near Edinbane. We were about 20 minutes late but weren’t able to let her know as we had no phone signal. She was not at all worried about it as everyone here works on “Skye Time” - there is always the “ish” element here, 2.00ish - because so much can get in the way, single lane roads with passing places, sheep, cows or deer on the road, workmen constantly repairing roads due to subsidence of the peat bog underneath, weather such as hail, snow and fog etc….so everyone understands people can’t guarantee being exactly on time here.

We met Davina’s husband Rob, and their three lovely dogs, a white American Bull Terrier who was a loveable tart-bag who stole my heart immediately and spent most of our visit laying at my feet with her head on them. They also have two six month old German Shepherd pups - Ceta and Carla (not sure of the spellings). Carla fell in love with Vince and insisted on sitting on his lap - it was hilarious - no one had obviously told her yet that she’s not actually a lap dog! They were all just gorgeous and we love how much everyone lives with their dogs here - they are welcome in shops, cafes and pubs everywhere and very much a part of peoples families and lives.

We spent a few hours enjoying Davina and Rob’s company and they invited us to pop in anytime we are around and perhaps we can catch up for a meal sometime - sounds wonderful! People on the Island are so welcoming and friendly - so nice to experience.

It was getting dark when we left on the Dunvegan Road and met up with the road to Uig to get home. We stopped in at Rankins where I picked up some beetroot that I needed for tonight’s dinner.

Before long it was pitch black but what a marvellous moon rise we witnessed - breathtaking.

Back at home I made us some dinner - hamburgers and Vince worked on his photos whilst I had a read of my new books from Ian.