Off to Skye and John O'Groats + Eilean Donan

Looking across to Skye from Applecross

Today we started our now annual exploration of parts of Scotland. Setting off to Skye to Edinbane, where we are staying at Shorefield House. After three nights in Skye we will head up to John O'Groats to stay in one of the Natural retreats chalets there.

The weather threatens to be decidedly autumnal for the second half of August with sunshine and showers and temperatures in the low teens.   

 

John O'Groats Hotel and chalets

The chalets  outside and inside

On the way to Skye: Eilean Donan Castle
We stopped to take some photos of this hugely popular attraction, which is just a few miles east of the Kyle of Lochalsh and the bridge across to Skye.  

 Eilean Donan glimpsed through the trees

A couple of holidaymakers

Scottish holidays 2013: The stunning West Coast

Somewhere in that mass should be Ben Nevis: 
the road from Laggan to Spean Bridge 

In 2011 for Netta's Tours it was the Outer Hebrides. 2012 it was Orkney. For 2013 it is the West Coast and John O'Groats. We left Newtonmore this morning heading down through Laggan to Spean Bridge and then onto Invergarry, where we headed off west. Heading through Dornie to Loch Carron and then the spectacular drive over the steep narrow road to Applecross, where we had a extremely good lunch at the Applecross Inn. It is rare that I find so many tempting choices on a menu. 

After lunch it was northwards along the coast of the Applecross Peninsula – just breathtaking views across to Skye and the Outer Hebrides – then northwards through Torridon up to Gairloch and the Myrtle Bank Hotel. With the every changing scenery and light it was almost impossible not to take non-stop photos!!    

Eilean Donan Castle 

Looking from Applecross to the Cuillins and Skye (above and below)

Applecross

 The excellent Applecross Inn