The Old Man and Elgol or Bust! 9th Jan 2020

The past two or three days have been absolutely freezing cold, so much so that we risked frostbite in our fingers and being blown over in gale force winds, just trying to click a shutter. Thankfully today’s forecast is better, little wind, and although still cold not much rain. Wanting to make the most of it before the snow comes Vince wanted to get the drone up today so we left the house early before dawn to try to capture the early morning light over Mealt Falls and Kilt Rock. Whilst he was flying I drove a little way down the road (its the first I’ve driven on this trip) to try to capture some reflections in a nearby loch.

Next it was off to try to get the snow on the back of the Storr we saw yesterday and hopefully the Old Man’s reflection in Loch Fadda. It was a bit of a mission as Harry (Skye Photography Tours) had told us the best vantage point was in a field belonging to his friend. So we parked opposite the Fank but had to climb over the gate as we couldn’t get the knot in the rope undone. I figured that I’d seek forgiveness as I couldn’t seek permission and in any case I’d tell them Harry sent us!Alas, there was still too much wind for the reflection shot but I think I managed to get the snow shot I was after.

Back over the fence with all my gear and off to the car. In the cold my hands don’t work to well, even with my woollen gloves and gauntlets, and I had trouble opening the heavy hatch back boot. I decided to play it safe and put all the equipment on the back seat whilst I again tried to open the boot. I did eventually get it open, but in the process fell backwards on the ice and hail on the ground and landed on my bum, thankfully nothing broken just a wet bum!

Cold and damp we headed to Portree to the Granary for a spot of breakfast and a toilet stop. Once we warmed up a bit it was “Elgol or Bust!”

We have intended to get there to see the legendary wild Highland Cows who frequently roam the road there at least half a dozen times before, but as it is a long way, we found ourselves distracted taking other photographs and running out of daylight. But we had decided that today would be the day we would push on to Elgol, no matter what tempting photograph presented itself along the way.

We resisted Mable the highland cow just out of Portree, Sligachan Bridge, the Photographers Curse Waterfall (where we had problems the other day), Sconcer Highland Cows and turned off at Broadford headed for Elgol.

It was quite a drive along often single track roads, and we were stopped at a point for road maintenance where they were replacing a cattle grate, where the roadwork told us if they were out they would be just over the hill - they weren’t!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFPl0iCqILI

We continued on toward the village of Elgol anyway as we wanted to take photos of the Cuillins from behind and not far before the decent into the village - there they were - the magnificent herd (fold) of Highland Cows. I left our little cow mascot, Morag, in the car so I could give all my attention to the cows. Vince also decided to do an impromptu YaYa Vlog with them - I was in 7th heaven. Especially when a few of them came down of the hill and walked along the road with me, at me and around me - I even got to touch one - a wild Highland Cow - fantastic!!!!!

Reluctantly, we left our shaggy friends behind and took the steep decent into the village. Once there we clambered down onto the beach (I use the term loosely as it was just large rocks no sand at all) and made our way around the cliff face for about 400m as Marcus McAdams photography notes suggested - not for the faint hearted with slippery rocks and deep bog. I ached all over afterwards and needed a hot bath when I eventually got home. The notes rate it as “Moderate” - I’ve got news for you Marcus - it’s a bit more than bloody moderate I can tell you!!!! But I did manage to discover a dinosaur food print in one of the rocks - which is not mentioned anywhere else. The Dinosaur tourist stuff is at Duntulm and Staffin, no mention at all of Elgol!!!! So we are archaeologists now!!! I’ve named it Vincosaurous Rex!

Anyway, I did eventually end up with a nice view of the Cuillins - I hope that my photos turn out as I don’t anticipate making this trek again in a hurry - but I’m glad I did it. Vince did some droning as well.

The return to trip back to the car was no less arduous and my kind husband carried my gear for me - I’m so lucky!

We went up the steep, winding hill hoping not to hit any black ice and were grateful when our little car got to the top. We were both completely “Knackered” but just had to stop again to take more photos of the Highland Cows who were on the other side of the road in the moor towards the Loch.

Back in the car we had another stop off to look at Gareth Duncan’s - Fine Celtic Jewellery. It was an old restaurant that he had turned into his showroom and workshop. He is from the USA but loves it here and his Celtic designs are very unique. Vince is going to buy me a necklace and earrings he says - but I think this is a bit out of our price range and I am wanting something simple I can wear every day not a statement piece. We were soon back on our way for the 2 hour drive home.

Darkness fell quickly as we made our way into Portree around 5.00pm and went to the West Highland Hotel for a meal of Slow Cooked Beef and I had a glass of wine and Vince had a beer - all up 33 GBP. We stopped off at the Co Op on bank street where I bought a couple of bottles of Australian Chardonnay for 5.00GBP each - just for a change.

It was about an hour’s drive from Portree in the dark and I had a welcome soak in the bath whilst Vince made a fire. But I didn’t even have the energy to have another glass of wine at home - it was not long before I was in my bed exhausted! What a wonderful day we had!