We headed for Skye on Saturday via Inverness. Some snow on the A9 and surrounding hills. Skiers would be having a fine time in the Cairngorms which were white and sparkly in the distance. Decided to take the road around Loch Ness and into Glen Shiel by a different route. The road was fine until Invermoriston where we drove through a winter wonderland of snowy trees and surrounding hills. Beautiful.
Glen Shiel was magnificent and we crossed the bridge to arrive at the Duisdale Hotel in good time. A very warm welcome here and a perfectly acceptable room complete with 4 poster bed. Decided to treat ourselves to the 7 course tasting dinner (also on special offer) A thoroughly enjoyable evening consisting of a three hour meal complete with wine and a wee dram after. (Allowed ourselves a break from the "dry" January we usually have).
Sunday was dry and breezy, we had a walk planned to visit the white sand beach on the Aird peninsula and a re-visit to the lighthouse. This is one of the few white sand beaches on Skye and is a two mile walk from the car park. It was breezy when we set off, sand blasted on the beach with little shelter but clear green water, wild waves and white sands compensated.
We didn't make the lighthouse as the wind increased to such strength that each step resulted in a sideways scuttle as the wind caught us. Still enjoyed the walk and exercise and exfoliated exposed skin.
Pub dinner Sunday evening to compensate for the indulgence last night.
Monday dawned bright and dry and we were off to site. First stop, Neil's house to confirm that we liked the slabs he was suggesting (we did)
There was a cast of thousands on site when we arrived. Was it just coincidence or did they know we were arriving at 10.30. Arrived at 10.15 and guess what? tea break that's what.
Good to see the progress that has been made since our last visit. Walls ready for skimming and then painting; air source pump installed and working; rooms taking shape nicely; scaffolding gone in most rooms.
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| Patio shaping up, dining area ahead; lounge behind the workers and Gary |
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| Stairs from lounge to mezzanine level |
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| Front door into porch with view through connecting entrance hall |
Eventually started home at 12.45; decided to have lunch at The Cluanie Inn or one of the other pubs on the road home. Unfortunately ALL of them were closed due to it being a Monday / storm damage / closed until February. We didn't stop until Fort William where we ate a very late lunch in Morrison's car park.
Swapped drivers here and carried on through Glen Coe where the sleet and snow was bucketing down. It felt as if we had just escaped the storm as we headed east and south. The snow got heavier and it was pitch black as we headed past Crianlarich then over Glen Ogle. Once over the pass the snow turned to torrential rain. Appalling driving conditions all the way back to the A9.
Home safe and sound with heads full of plans, questions and lists, lists, lists.
Back towards the end of February for the penultimate visit - the build is on schedule so we are anticipating a 22 March handover.
Can we put the fizz on ice yet?????
Best be prudent we think, will buy the fizz after the next visit. .
