New Years and Wedding Eve 31st Dec 2019

I was awake at 4.30am and got up to paint some rocks that Vince got from Duntulm Beach for the “set in stone” ceremony tomorrow with Tippex (it was all I could get). I went back to bed about an hour later and tossed and turned eventually falling asleep and sleeping in until 8.30am! Aad and Mike were already up and having breakfast and were soon out the door on their own adventure - we would meet up in Portree tonight for dinner.

Vince and I had a simple breakfast of tea and toast and he was off to Duntulm Castle to do some droning as there was not much wind for a change. Whilst he was gone I got busy organising things for tomorrow. I was surprised to see him back at 10.30am and as he pulled up so did Fiona, from Highland Cakes with our wedding cake (215 GBP) - two tier fruit cake with royal icing. The topper was two highland cows and I also included a dragonfly which is of family significance. Unfortunately, the tartan ribbon that was to go around it was damaged and she had to just use a plain cream ribbon instead.

Around 12.00pm we headed off into Portree, as I had made a hair appointment with the Cut Above, which is above the Royal Hotel on Portree Harbour. I met Sara (English) who lives near Kilt Rock and she did a really good job of my wash and blow-dry for just 16 GBP. It was the best I could do for tomorrow as I was unable to get anyone to come to the house on the day at a realistic price (I was quoted 500 GBP about A$1000 which is ridiculous!).

Vince went for a coffee at the Granery and caught up on emails and calls to family for New Year and then came to meet me. We went from there to collect the wedding flowers (125 GBP) from Carole’s Florist in Portree and she made a great job of them.

We browsed briefly around the shops and we bought a small gift of a calendar for Aad’s Mum and Dad to say thanks for making McKenzie (a bespoke doll) for us as a surprise.

We intended to have dinner the Isles Hotel, but the greeting we got was less than friendly in the restaurant being told it didn’t serve food for another hour, and to go and wait in the crowded bar where people were packed in like sardines. So we decided to try elsewhere and ended up at the Antler Bar of the Portree Hotel. We still had to wait until 5.00pm for food but at least we could sit down.

We let Aad and Mike know the change in plan and we were soon all enjoying a meal together.

There was a Highland Fling for New Year in Somerled Square but it didn’t start until 9.00pm and finished at 2.00pm. Given that that is way past our bed time and we have a big day tomorrow none of us wanted to stay, so we headed home for an early night.