Old Man of Storr and Sligachan 30th Dec 2019

After the bad weather we have had for the last few days it made a big difference not to hear the wind howling like a banshee when we woke this morning. Although still cold and wet at times, the day was perfect for photography.

Aad and Mike were off on their adventures early. After a light breakfast of toast and tea, Vince and I set out on ours, down the East coast road southwards. As we left Willie McLeod's I had to grab a shot of Alan's sheep who were feeding on hay and 4 of his Border Collie pups sheltering from the weather in the horse trailer.

We passed a small fold of baby Highland cows, but we didn’t stop to try to photograph them due to the low light and the distance they were into the field.

A little further on I spotted some kind of bird of prey (I thought maybe a hawk - I found out later these were Buzzards) and I got out my 100-400mm lens - gotta love that!

We took a quick look down to Staffin Slipway Beach and I photographed a sheep nearby which was very willing, until Vince had to pee and it took off in a big hurry much to our amusement!

As we approached the Old Man of Storr from the Northern side, we were please that we could see him today, unlike previous days where he has been shrouded in mist and rain.

We also stopped to take a look from the Southern side. There were lots of cars parked - even for Winter there are still plenty of tourists, mainly Asian and Indian, but also some French.

Before long we came across the same fold I had photographed the other day, just before Portree, and one was posing for us up on the hill. I have named her Mable the Magnificent!

We decided to forego a coffee stop in Portree, as we were not sure how long the dryish weather would last and we wanted to get to Sligachan for photos (which where impossible the last few days). Despite the number of other tourists we were able to get some nice photos from down at the waters edge.

Then it was onto the Sligachan Waterfalls, were there was a “Handfasting” and “Naming” ceremony going on. I got to chat with the photographer there, Lyn, who was one of the people I had contacted to do our wedding, but she was unavailable. She is a friend of Penny (our photographer) and knew about our upcoming wedding on the 1st - Skye is a small place!!!!

We took some photos of our own of the waterfall and it was starting to rain, and the track up was already boggy so I headed back to the car. I thought Vince was right behind me, but he got sidetracked by the changing light and it was another half an hour before he joined me - I was about to send out a search party as he didn’t have his whistle on him! But all was well.

We then headed into Broadford where we grabbed a burger and chips from the Skye Market Place caravan, called Annie’s. It was very busy and we had a bit of a wait, but it gave us a chance to brows the other quirky shops there, antiques, craft and gifts. I was particularly impressed by a painted/printed gumboot collection. The food (16 GBP total for burgers and drinks) was delicious and well worth the wait.

We crossed the road to look at a local manufacturing jewellers we had seen advertised and admired their Skye inspired designs. Vince told me to get anything that caught my eye - I don’t think he remembers our bank balance LOL! I did try on two silver necklaces, a classical Celtic knot design in the shape of a Stag and a modern circular design showing the Cuillin Hills. But in the end I couldn’t decided and went home empty handed - I don’t really need another necklace to be worn once or twice and sit in a drawer.

Next it was back to the carpark after a quick stop into the local Co-op for a couple of missing items for dinner (Nachos). It was getting dark and we knew we would only have about half and hour of light left and a 2 hour trip back home so we were soon back on the road.

We had seen a fold of Heilan Coos near Sconcer on the way down, and they were closer to the road on the way back, so we just had to stop and get some shots. They were so friendly coming right up to the fence to say hello, and one little black calf kept trying to lick me through the fence. Not that I would have minded, but I thought it might not be healthy for it so I didn’t let it lick me, instead I gave it a pat on it’s soft shaggy head - how cool is that I got to touch my first Heilan Coo and it’s mother didn’t mind at all! I’m calling it Coco!

It was an uneventful drive up the Western road via Uig as we had to collect the kilts coming in on the Ferry due at 5.40pm. We were a bit early as it was only 4.00pm so we went for a look into Uig Pottery. I bought a little vase to hold the Unity Candle in for the wedding and a little book on Scottish Cooking to try out whilst I’m here.

We still had an hour and a bit wait (as the kilt bags weren’t unloaded until almost 6.00pm but we had a chance to catch up on a few wedding correspondence emails (photographer, celebrant, florist, cake maker etc) and had a nice chat to Willie, an older gentleman from Lewis.

Then it was back home, unload everything, cook tea, finish off the James Bond movie and off to bed!