Skye Living

See what I've done there. No need for a second blog just a change of title. 

Although we have been away from the island for almost three of the eight weeks we have lived here, reality is dawning and we wake up realising that we don't have to "go home" as this is it. The house felt like someone's holiday home for a while but no, it's our house.

So, living on Skye - what does it feel like? What is the reality? What do we like about it?
Read on.......

1: Very long summer daylight hours mean that it gets light around 3.00 a.m, the sunrise is later but there is enough light to see by at 3.00. This does not assist with a good night's sleep; especially if your bedroom faces east. Blackout blinds are the answer and we have Tony from Highland Blinds.to thank for finding us some that look good too. There are still strips of light coming through but that adds something to waking up here. Fascinating to look at the pics on the weather website (8 hours of snapshots) The first line of light today was visible on the 2.30 shot looking east, slightly later on the south-facing shot.  If we forget to draw the blinds, a laser beam of sunlight (usually) announces that dawn has broken. 
The downside will be long winter night - hang on, we have a cosy woodburning stove to enjoy and the winter light on the mountains will be magical. It might rain a bit and it could get breezy - for days!

The sun rises over this hill - late evening sunshine after a misty day in this one

2: The MIDGE - at the risk of becoming a midge blog - life does get a little obsessed by the presence of the little beasts. First thought in the morning - is there any wind? If so we can open the windows and let in the air. If not do not open your windows as you will be invaded by hordes of them. Not seeking out tasty humans to bite but congregating in groups at the windows where they will eventually be fried and die. They will bite en route to their death but only if you taste nice. Remedies for the midge include eating vast quantities of vitamin B (marmite plus pills) which I am trialling; planting certain herbs - nice smell regardless of whether they work; various repellants - an essential part of every day's kit for me; midge nets - not attempted yet but who knows; citronella candles to deter them; various creams and potions for the bites - yet to decide which works best. Last night while looking for stars at midnight, we saw bats - this is good news as they can eat up to 3 million midgies a day. We need to encourage them to stay.

3: The croft - Is filling in nicely. Our decision to let it re-naturalise is underway. If you look closely, you can almost see the ferns encroaching towards the house. That great expanse of turned over mud is now greening up nicely. We have to decide what to do with it and will be taking advice from the friendly local crofting association soon. I want them to see the croft in all its tangled, jungle-like glory so they can advise what could be done and also how we could do it. Still keen to grow some of our own produce but what should we try? The local grazing committee is investing in a hydro scheme - we will join it as a small investor but also benefit from shareholder returns as we are tenants of the croft (actually one half of one share).  

Taken 5th May 2014, the one below taken 15 June 2014

Just noticed how the larch cladding has weathered when reviewing the photos. Funny that we didn't see that despite looking at the house every day. Nice silvery colour rather than orange.

 4: The executive shed - the base is built, the shed and frame is ordered and due for delivery in "mid-June" Should be soon then. Gary has grafted to complete a base to the exacting standards set by the shed people who are coming across from Nairn to build it for us. This will allow us to clear the loft of assorted tools, boxes, bird feed and garden implements. It will also free up the utility room and allow us to make it tidy. May get some electrics fitted; may get a beer fridge installed. The shed will also incorporate our log store.

Beautiful shed base created by Gary. Weed suppressant mat, slabs and solid base. Just need the shed now.

5: Working from home - what  difference a connection makes! Now that I have the technology life is so much easier. However, I only have a few more weeks to work before I am released into full Skye living. 

Our own telegraph pole standing proud against the blue sky.

6: The walking - we have explored Glen Brittle with our first walk on the island being to Coire Lagan - this is fitting as it was our first ever walk on Skye way back in 1999. We have a circuit around the Fairy Pools, which are as beautiful as the name suggest, that goes beyond the tourist tracks and takes in some of the wilder corries and gives a glimpse of our house along the loch. We have walked up from the Sligachan Inn and need to return to explore in much more detail; you could spend weeks around that area. 

Basteir Gorge, Pinnacle Ridge and Coire Basteir in the background

Back towards the Sligachan. Pointy hill is Glamaig of hill race fame

Rescue 199 hovers over Beinn Deargh - training exercise

Fairy Pools circuit - scree coming up!

We plan to walk to Talisker Bay, of the whisky fame, across sea cliffs where we hear of eagles being spotted. We plan to walk up to Meall Odair, a hill we can see from the house to take in the view back. We haven't even started on the walks on the north of the island. So you can see that we will be very busy exploring over the next few months.  Then there's the mainland - Glen Shiel, Torridon and further afield.  Like a child in a sweet shop I am.

7: Local news - a kind neighbour has offered us some plants that will grow well and cover the croft. Need to arrange to collect them in a breeze due to the midge factor (her words) The local shop acts as the Avon lady and has the latest catalogue as well as many other things. The local bus (small Mercedes) runs to Portree every day but we can't find the timetable, perhaps you just stick your hand out and it stops? The local Post Office and Postie (John) like to know when you are away so they can hold your post until you return. The  West Highland Free Press keeps us up to date on all Skye and Lochalsh news.We have registered with doctors, dentist and to vote; there is a referendum coming up in September. (More of that later)

8: Our air source heat pump provide us with a very warm house and a plentiful supply of hot water. And we qualify for the new Renewable Heat Initiative (RHI) feed in tariff. That is once the the government computer system recognises our consultant's log in and allows the registration needed to generate the 20 digit number. Once we have that we are past the first hurdle and our application can begin. We will get paid for every KWH the system generates. We might even end up being cost neutral when the return from the hydro scheme is taken into account. 

9: The sounds of Skye, our part of it at least. All day long there is birdsong. Sometimes we hear various livestock from neighbouring crofts and the farm across the loch. When you have what is effectively a metal roof, it makes explosive noises as it expands and contracts - don't notice it after a while but it took some getting used to. There are peacocks and a rooster close by.  The Skye seaplane occasionally flies down the loch and we are visited by RAF jets and the rescue 199 heli from Stornaway. Otherwise it is the wind in the trees, the birds and silence.

Still waiting for a couple of things including replacement glass for one of the patio doors, a final adjustment to the front door, handrail and bath panel being improved, a small bit of grouting and some touch up painting. Nothing onerous and our builder is very good - a little slow but worth the wait. 

We have some storage solutions to finalise, bookcases to cut down for the mezzanine and some racking storage for the utility. 

Almost there and life is good. 

Next event, is deciding what to do on the longest day of the year. If you live this far north it seems only right that you are out there somewhere, very late, in daylight, on the longest day. I'm thinking north of the island looking west out towards the outer Hebrides. A picnic supper and plenty of insect repellant. Weather allowing of course. Will post a report and pictures. 
This was the scene last night - with thanks to Glendale Skye Auroras via facebook.

Midnight light on north Skye 15.6.14

Plenty of events coming up on the island. Highland games; Talisker regatta; Glamaig hill race; Tattie Bogle; blockbuster filming; adventurers spotted filming locally (Ray Mears and Bear Grylls) visiting comedians at Aros, various community / crafting markets and live music in several pubs and venues. So much to do ..... and we have the time to do it!  

It is so easy to get distracted by just sitting in the house, bemused by the ever changing views 

The Cuillin from the living area - taken around 22.30

Fifteen minutes later - can you see the fascination / distraction factor/

or wandering around the croft planning what might go where but we will get up and out unless of course, we don't. The sheer delight of not having to be anywhere, anytime cannot be over stated.