Scotland 2017 - Day 9

Skye to Mallaig via Elgol

Introduction

we departed our hotel on Skye and decided to drive out along another of the fingers of land that stick out from Skye, this time the finger that points south to Elgol. There is very little to commend this location either, narrow twisting road but the views of the sea and the mountains make the trip worthwhile. Elgol is a small village with a couple of fishing boats and a fleet of small boats that take tourists out to see the wildlife. Less publicised, Elgol is also close to the location of Bonny Prince Charles' Cave, where is purported to have hidden from the English Army searching for him. From Elgol we headed back to the main road and on to Armidale for the Calmac Ferry across to Mallaig. We had decided to stay a night in Mallaig but this proved difficult to arrange as nearly all of the accommodation options were fully booked. Several I had contacted told me they were full, and the next told me they had sold the business and it was no longer operating, but their website and email address were still operating... We did eventually book a twin room with shared bathroom at the Seaview B&B. They told us it was busy due to the school holidays, but we did not see any children in Mallaig that would explain the situation, unless it was full of people escaping holiday destinations.

The road to Elgol

The road to Elgol winds around the edge of the sea before climbing up and over the peninsula. We reached Elgol, made ourselves a cup of tea and then drove back over the winding road.

There was rain hovering around	But the clear skies won out for a while....
The glaciated sides of the loch,	cut by short steep streams.
A view of Loch Slapin.	No shortage of water.	More of Loch Slapin.
	Water everywhere.	Even the sheep used the road to get out of the water....
But just in case you didn't know what it was, there was a sign...!
	Bridge over the stream at the head of Loch Slapin.
Then the road cut across and over the peninsula to reach Elgol.
A cute crofter cottage...	But wait there was a collection of them - modern holiday cottages.	And finally we reached Elgol.
with its small beach,	limestone bluffs	And school house.
Boat trips were popular in the summer		but looking to the North, more rain was approaching.

Armidale and the Calmac Ferry to Mallaig

From Elgol we followed the road to Armidale and found ourselves in plenty of time for the next ferry to Mallaig. We settled for a quick bite to eat at the ferry terminal.

We headed back towards Broadford,passing lumber,	small fishing boats	and forest,
before reaching the view point back down the road,	and an ancient standing stone.	on top of a pile
of rocks.		There was evidence of sunshine at Broadford.
Passing the Donald Clan headquarters at Armadale Castle.	And on to Armadale.	And the Calmac Ferry office.
There was also Grumpy George,	Ragamuffin,	And a small food place, where we indulged in pizza and coffee.
More rain around.	And then onto the ferry to Mallaig.	A late bus was squeezed on.
The next ferry arrived	and off we went.	We did not know at the time, but we would be on this small ferry in the morning.

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Last updated: 27/11/2017