Paul & I recently managed to synch our calendars so that we had a long weekend together.  First stop was Perth, where we were introduced to Miss Alexandra Carmichael by proud mum Annelie.  Dad Craig was not too well, hopefully better now and we’ll see him next time.   Alan Alpenfelt was also there; thanks are due to Reid’s staff who catered for the varied eating requirements plus staggered arrival times.  After this it was time for some tootling up the road (haven’t tootled in ages) and despite some enforced delays on the A9 around BA we made it to Invergarry in time for dinner.   I have never stopped here before, it was always a way-marker on the long haul north to Plockton (did you really think we were going anywhere else!),  but the grounds of the Glengarry Castle Hotel offered beautiful walks along Loch Oich, which is part of the Great Glen chain of lochs and canals.  I could have spent the entire weekend in library of the hotel, another time.

Next day we moved on northwards, forgetting to buy Avon Skin So Soft Dry Oil Spray, hereinafter referred to as SSS.  I think the price in the catalogue is £2.50.  It was £3.20 in the Glengarry.   It is a favoured midge deterrent, much beloved of anglers and anyone who lives on the west coast.   Once on our way we began to see signs for the Glenelg ferry, so we took the chance to go to Skye.   The crossing on this manually operated turntable ferry takes about five minutes, at the end of which Isabelle of the crew pointed out a basking shark.  I’ve never seen one in Scotland before.   Finally we arrived in Plockton by way of the Skye Bridge and Kyle of Lochalsh.

We spent a charming two days, walking around, going out for a sail on the Sula Mhor from which we saw loads of seals, gulls, arctic terns, guillemots and cormorants.  I slathered on a lot of SSS borrowed from our next door neighbours in the hotel cottage, and finally bought some in Plockton Shores for £5.20.  Does it work?  Well, the only time I was bitten was when I forgot to put it on, and we stopped at Wolf Trax Loch Laggan for an out door fly cup.  Anyway, we did not want to leave at all, I had wondered if it would still be the same if we went minus our usual chums, and of course we missed them dearly, but the sun shone, the scenery was breathtaking, while a cat and a gull tried to menace Paul into sharing his haggis supper (they failed) .  I bought some new earrings, so all in all a very successful trip.  Some of over 300 photos below.