Day 6 - Over The Sea To Skye

It's Saturday so started the day at Erskine Waterfront parkrun.  Lovely warm sunny morning and a scenic run along the Clyde towards the Erskine Bridge. 


 
Tug boat  going down the Clyde 

 
The Erskine Bridge 

After a quick shower and coffee bac at the hotel, we set off for Skye.  The scenery after Dumbarton is lovely,  passing along the west side of Loch Lomond and on to Glencoe.  It was dull and drizzly last time we passed through Glencoe so it was nice to see it in sunshine.  Some of the higher peaks had snow on.  We didnt stop as all viewing areas and laybys were very busy with tourists everywhere.

 
Loch Lomond 

 
Loch Lomond 

 
Snow on the hills 



 
The 3 sisters, Glencoe 

 
Lochan na h-Achlaise, Glencoe 

  
Glencoe 


There were a lot of roadworks between Glen Coe and Fort William and it was slow going.  We then took the Mallaig road, travelling mostly alongside the Fort William to Mallaig train line.  

We had planned to stop at Glennfinnan Viaduct to see the Jacobite steam train cross (train used in Harry Potter films).  This plan went pear shaped when, firstly all car parks and laybys were full and cars were being turned away and secondly we found that the steam train was not running.  We had our lunch in a layby next to the railway line but no trains, even the regular service, went past.  The rest of the drive to Mallaig saw changing landscapes and several small lochs.
 
 
Section of woodland between Glenfinnan and Mallaig

Viaduct for Fort William to Mallaig train

Loch Eilt - train runs along the far side of the Loch.

 
Mallaig is a small, touristic town and most people who go there are catching a ferry or have come on a day trip by train.  There are gift shops, restaurants and cafes but not much else.  We found it hard to park and ended up about half a mile away.  We bought some fresh food from the co-op for the next couple of days meals.

Mallaig harbour

Looking across to Mallaig hillside houses from Harbour

Statue in memory of those who died at sea

The Calmac Ferry arriving in Mallaig


The ferry left a bit early and it was a very smooth 30 minute crossing to Armadale.  
 
 
 
Armadale Castle from Ferry

 
We made our way to our accommodation at Broadford and unloaded the car.  Paul made dinner and as it was raining we stayed in for the rest of the evening.  The property, which will be our home for the next week, has a lounge area with a very large picture window with views over the sea.

View towards Pabay Island

View across Broadford Bay


 
 

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