Today we go outside the hotel and start walking up the hill behind it through Sligachan Glen. More specifically, we hiked 5 1/2 miles in a little more than three hours with a 1,000 foot elevation and duck worthy drizzle. Once we started, it didn’t take long for the mist and clouds to start moving in.
Lots of water here already though. We saw several pools like this linked by waterfalls and rapids. These are technically not the Fairy Pools we were scheduled to walk along; that area was deemed too muddy for our walk.
But this was a fun hike with lots of little streams to cross. Taking a break here and it looks like it’s not raining at the moment.
Donning the rain gear.
Looking uphill at three hikers on the right.
Looking back downhill in the direction of our hotel. It’s clear enough to see Loch Sligachan in the distance.
Still working our way up.
At this point we’ve been in quite a drizzle and are heading down through the marsh. Pretty sure my feet are wet now.
Another waterfall and crossing.
On the way down to another interesting crossing. The peat in the water gives it that orangish color.
The Black Cuillins rear up in the mist. The Sgurr Nan Gillean is likely in there somewhere. One of 11 Munros on Skye, it’s the closest to Sligachan.
Almost down.
Lunch was at the Old Inn at Carbost and lunch never felt so good. We were warm. We were out of the rain. We just weren’t dry. My waterproof raincoat and boots failed me. Only my rain pants, which were 14 years old, held up.
Don’t remember what we had to eat that day but some folks had these admirable prawns.
Next stop, Talisker Distillery. We get the tour and we get to taste. We were definitely warmer now. We also bought a dry tee-shirt, dry hat, and a bottle of Talisker to finish the job.
Another look at the Cuillins as we drive back to the hotel. Beautiful and mysterious.
Over dinner, we discussed the need to contact some well-known manufacturers of outerwear to tell them their waterproof items weren’t. But what a fun day, splashing in the rain like kids again!
Adventures with Sheila 