Sunday,September 14, 2014 - The Scotland Saga

A slow start to the day - down to breakfast at 9:00, although Glenda was up earlier and out for a walk-about to begin her day.  Another excellent Scottish breakfast, but Jeff opted for a cheese and mushroom omelette.  Over breakfast we hatched a major change in plans for the day.  Our original plan called for us to stay in the Granton-on-Spey area and overnight at the same lodging.  However we determined to pull up our boots and head out towards Inverness, then down along the Loch Ness road and eventually onto the Isle of Skye.

We negotiated our way out of the evening hotel room and struck off.  Another beautiful day, sunshine and upper 60 degrees. We eventually arrived at Urquardt Castle, a ruins on the west shore of Loch Ness, dating from the 11th century. We paid our £9 each and spent a wonderful hour walking the grounds, stretching our legs, enjoying the view and stopping in the gift shop to peruse all the things we didn't need.

Back in the chariot we called ahead until we found a room for the night in the main city of Portree on Skye.  We headed southwest across the highlands.  Wonderful scenery, and stopped at the picturesque fishing village of Plockton. Again we parked and wandered.  We found we were too late (2:30) for lunch as all the restaurants and pubs stopped serving food at 2:00, but we found a take-away spot where we had fish and chips, ice cream, and Jeff and I sampled and enjoyed a deep fried haggis and cheesy chips.  The haggis was wrapped in a dough crust and deep fried, similar to a Runza in concept.  Very tasty with a bit of spice in the haggis filling. The cheesy chips were french fries, onto which were dumped a small cupful of shredded cheddar cheese.  Interesting, but not sure I would try and duplicate at home.

Off again and over the bridge (replacing the ferry that Deb, Glenda and I took when we last visited this island 29 years ago) onto the Isle of Skye. WE drove on to Porrtree and found our lodging, Bosville Terrace Hotel.  As Rick Steves described in his guide, serviceable, but a bit tired.  However we had two en suite rooms and a bed for the night.

We walked the town, enjoying a decent meal (Jeff sampled the Bowl of Skink, a fish soup,) in the Bosville Hotel restaurant.  After dinner, we walked the town a bit, and repaired to the Merchant Bar, where we enjoyed a night cap of wine, beer, and Talisker whisky. An early evening - retired by 9:30.