A Long Farewell to Skye

We were off to the Uists today but that wasn't until 6:00 pm so we had one more day on Skye. It was another wet start so we didn't hurry too much over breakfast or leaving the B&B. Once on the road we headed up to Dunvegan. We had toured the castle and gardens there on our last trip and had always though it would be nice to return to the gardens in the height of summer...but it didn't feel like summer and in the end, we didn't go in again.

Dunvegan Castle

From Dunvegan, we made our way to Carbost and the Talisker Distillery...where we were booked in for the 12 Noon tour. We arrived to find the place "going nuts"...not surprisingly. With all the bad weather and Skye basically booked out, everyone was looking for something to do inside...and there isn't a lot else to choose from. We had an interesting tour...our fourth distillery now...all very similar but also very different in little ways which is why there are the differences in the whiskys. And of course, our tour ended with a "wee dram" to sample...Anita is developing quite a taste for Single Malts now.

After our tour it was time for some lunch...and although Talisker had a shop, it wasn't much help unless you wanted more whisky or some souvenirs. Outside we noticed a hand made sign...as they mostly are on the Isles...to the Wee Tea Room only "two miles away". We set off and somewhere closer to three miles later arrived...and sat down to some wonderful home-made sandwiches and cake in what was the front room of the owner's house.

Looking down the glen from the Wee Tea Room

By the now the day had improved considerably...the rain had gone and the sun was out. So after our lunch we continued down to Loch Eynort at the end of the road. Returning back towards Carbost, we turned down to the coast and Talisker Bay...the source of the name for the distillery. From the car park we needed to walk about a mile to the bay...most definitely worth the small effort for the fantastic scenery.

Talisker Bay down the road

Sea stack on the left side of Talisker Bay

Waterfall on the right side of Talisker Bay

Preashal Mor looms large behind Talisker Bay

The afternoon we drifting on and we did have a ferry to catch...so it was back to the car and on the road. We stopped briefly in Portree for some basic supplies...fuel, cash and an ice cream...before heading up the road to Uig. We arrived in plenty of time for the ferry check-in and were put in a special queue with only a few other cars. It was only later that we discovered that, with a small car, we had lost the "ferry loading lottery". Yes, we were one of the first to load but that was so our car could be put on a mezzanine deck that is raised to put more cars underneath...definitely a case of "first on, last off" as we had to wait for the ferry to be emptied before the deck could be lowered again.

A last look at the Cuillins as we head to Portree

Waiting for the ferry at Uig

Our ferry coming into dock at Uig

North Uist lies ahead

After a calm crossing, we arrived in North Uist and, once off the ferry, we drove through North Uist and over the causeway to Grimsay and to our B&B for the next five nights.