That's it then - full planning application submitted so now the wait for between four and eight weeks to find out if permission is granted. The Highlands Council has a comprehensive planning section on its website where you can track progress and receive email alerts if anything changes. Needless to say, this site is now bookmarked as a favourite and visited regularly just to check out any comments or changes. The latest date for a decision - according to the website - is 8 May.
Promising letter from solicitors, confirming that the Scottish Ministers have agreed to the sale of the plot to us and apart from the issues of the estate's shooting rights, all other rights of access and servitude have been confirmed. Highly unlikely that anyone from the Bracadale estate will wish to charge through our fenced garden area waving a firearm, chasing an animal, but worth asking for an exclusion just in case. We will have to commit to putting a stock-proof fence around the plot within three months of purchase - OK then, if that's what it takes. Whenever we hear or see the phrase the Scottish Ministers, can't help but imagine the First Minister, Alex Salmond himself, walking over the plot and deciding it will be fine to sell it to us - with a few conditions.
We are back on Skye with the aim of meeting up with a heating systems expert, checking out some local suppliers and taking the opportunity of calling in on Dualchas should we think of anything we need to discuss. Too early to make a start on the detailed room plans but you never know what might occur to you - usually at 2 a.m.when the subconscious recalls that niggle you can't articulate during daylight hours!
Spent yesterday lurking amongst the fairy pools in Glen Brittle - well the weather was just too good to miss an opportunity to hit the lower Cuillins. This is a truly magical walk. Only five and a half miles in a circle but what a circle it is. Clear aquamarine water flowing through rocky gorges and through the bedrock where it has carved out swirls and hollows into the most amazing shapes. There are waterfalls and a carved underwater arch. The water is so clear that pebbles and sand are visible on the river bed. To add to the delights, the river walk takes you into the hidden depths of the Cuillins and suddenly you are up close to the magnificent coires and rockfaces of the 3,000ft mountains.
 |
| View back to Glen Brittle forest |
 |
| Reflection of a beautiful day at the Fairy Pools |
 |
| Fairy pools with Cuillin ridge peeking out behind |
The return path crosses the hillside, giving more spectacular views down into Glen Brittle then you meet the track to Sligachan and follow it back down the hillside. Crossing several burns on the way and wondering how easy this would be after heavy rainfall? Wet feet at the very least is my guess. Stopped for our final coffee below another fine waterfall just before the carpark but completely hidden from view. Watched a minibus load of people pile out and walk to the pools; glad we had them to ourselves this morning.
Today was dreich, so we lazed away the morning, tried and failed to find the beach at Talisker Bay then went to meet Alistair from Ecoheat who had many fine wood burning stoves in his showroom (front room) and a wealth of knowledge about heating systems and solar panels. Took home another load of brochures and are getting to understand exactly what we want for the house. Considering the benefit of hot water heating via a woodburner too. Lots of ideas running through the minds. Hope the next suppliers / experts we meet don't confuse our thinking.
Met quite a few future neighbours / fellow residents. Mostly in the local pub or shop! Once they know where we are planning to build we get into the "is that next to so and so's croft or is that near the croft with the Jacob's sheep?" Unsure yet who is who or what sheep are what but everyone we have met so far has been very welcoming and friendly and keen to tell us what is going on locally.
Weather slightly improved but no chance of getting up high so we aim for a nine mile walk around Glen Brittle forest. Good tracks, some good views and a couple of conveniently placed picnic tables. We think we saw a pair of eagles or sea eagles soaring above the trees but too high to get a good look. Whatever they were, they were huge. We did not see another human being during the whole of the time we were out. The walk ends up being eleven miles and quite challenging in places where the track goes on and on with no end in sight. Would have helped if I had remembered to take the route map / book but the GPS did us proud. No cars left in the car park when we returned. Final cup of coffee overlooking the hills but tops still in the cloud despite the wind tearing across the summits.
Tomorrow we are heading for Portree to see a couple more suppliers and to hand over yet more money to the planners - this time for an advertisement in the local paper. We are tempted to go and walk around the Old Man and his cliffs again as we enjoyed it so much up there last time.
Thursday was one of those magical Skye days - pale blue spring skies, warmish sunshine, sparkling seas and lochs, a gentle cooling breeze and not too many people around. Oh, and too early for the midges to show themselves. We walked past the Old Man and reached the top of the ridge where we could literally see for miles. Lunch in a sunny, sheltered spot then ambled back to the car. Headed towards Staffin then parked up in a hidden layby where we enjoyed the vista across to the mainland, a view back to the Cuillins and no wind to speak of so reflections in the lochs. Perfection. And people ask why we want to live here?
 |
| The Old Man from our lunch spot |
 |
| View from the hidden layby back to the Red Cuillins |
Friday is also forecast fair and we are aiming to walk / climb up into Coir Ghrunnda, about as high in the Cuillins as a "normal" walker can get without a guide or a panic attack! Today there were white clouds flowing over the ridges and peaks which cleared by the afternoon. A beautiful sunset this evening so fingers crossed for tomorrow. The views to the small isles should be stunning and if it is clear we might even be able to see Barra and the Uists. Sat out on the deck and watched the stars this evening - no ambient light in this part of Skye so just us and the stars. Stunning, if a little cool after a while.
Well we made it as far as the lower coire but not up into the hollow where the actual lochan sits. Just too steep a scramble to contemplate after a two hour walk over stoney / rocky ground. Another couple of walkers turned around here too. Promise to return and complete the full walk once we are fitter and back in scrambling mode. The lower coire is spectacular and forbidding with grey and black rocks, exposed bedrock, a rushing burn, high rocky spires and scree slopes. Views across to Elgin would be good if there had been no mist / low cloud. The clear blue skies and sun didn't appear but we always expect the mountains create their own weather don't we?. Some moody photos instead and a brief stop for coffee at the Allt Lagan (burn) crossing on the way back, where the sun made a brief appearance.
 |
| Coire Ghrunnda a bleak & magnificent place - quite scary too! |
 |
| View back to the Cuillin ridge - Sgurr Alistair the pointy one |
 |
| View out to Loch Brittle |
That's us then - another visit to Skye done and dusted. Back to Alloa and the resumption of "normal" life until we hear some news. Getting quite impatient now but all good things come to those that wait - and we have the glorious drive back through the highlands to look forward to tomorrow.
Will report back when we have something to say - hopefully good news!
