the willows b&b

after a continental breakfast at the willows b&b by hosts sheila & her hubby, we started out on a 45mins drive to inverness airport on 15.6.2017.

we returned the VW rental car to avis parking lot & checked in easyjet for London Luton. ^^

this marks the last & final entry of our very memorable holiday to fort williams & isles of skye, largely the effort & arrangements made by wife.

returning car at inverness airport

filled up petrol to full tank

fuel gauge showing full tank

we did the usual, filling up petrol, checking the fuel gauge, and returning the car to avis parking lots at inverness airport.

our VW rental car keys

returning car at avis counter, inverness airport

i have never had any problems myself with rental car companies in terms of unusual charges etc though my wife had & some friends had too.

anyhow these days it is so convenient to record everything, so i made sure i took all the necessary photo records.

Inverness airport

so it’s end of our fort williams/isle of skye holiday,

and “home sweet home” back to our london apartment.

youngest daughter is joining us in london the next day, & on the following day 17.6.2017, 4 of us – wife, me, son & daughter are flying to iceland for a 10-day holiday..

c.h.e.f andy

river ness riverside stroll

after checking in at the willows b&b, we drove another 20mins to inverness town centre on 14.6.2017.

the willows b&b to white house @ invernes city centre

we traveled along A862 & for a large part along the shores of beauty firth.

when we drove back after dinner, we took beautiful shots of the sunset.

river ness riverside stroll

we parked at the open carpark in front of home bargains open the old town rose street multi-storey carpark.

and walked to bank street on the riverside of river ness.

directly across the opposite banks of river ness is the st mary’s roman catholic church.

river ness riverside stroll

we strolled downstream in the direction where river ness flos into beauty firth, towards greig street pedestrian suspension bridge.

river ness riverside stroll

the old high church inverness stood out along bank street.

cast iron greig street bridge

cast iron greig street bridge

a really beautiful greig street pedestrian suspension bridge!

cast iron greig street bridge

cast iron greig street bridge

looking back from the greig street pedestrian bridge.

river ness riverside stroll

looking downstream from greig street pedestrian bridge..

river ness riverside stroll

& the inverness castle upstream.

in the direction of ness islandss, a beautiful natural park, which we did not have time to go.

river ness riverside stroll

the golden hue in the sky over river ness.

inverness city centre

we crossed back to bank street side via ness bridge.

it’s time for dinner. we did not need a heavy dinner just something to eat.

we passed by the white house & decided to have dinner there.

c.h.e.f andy

urquhart castle loch ness

after a wonderful lunch at one michelin star kinloch & restful stroll along the grounds & beach,

we were ready for the 2hr drive to inverness.

on the way, we plan to stop & visit the urquhart castle by the side of loch ness near to inverness, and walked the grounds…

& try to catch a view of nessie, as the loch ness monster is affectionately called, likely misplaced affection i think…

urquhart castle loch ness

Urquhart Castle sits beside Loch Ness in the Highlands of Scotland. The castle is on the A82 road, 21 kilometres south-west of Inverness.

urquhart castle loch ness

tickets are £9 for adults & opening time is till 6pm. 

the staff said they progressively closed sections of the castle…

urquhart castle loch ness

urquhart castle loch ness

urquhart castle had a commanding view of a long stretch of loch ness.

it’s history goes back a thousand years. the preserved ruins are from the 13th century to 16th century period.

urquhart castle loch ness

urquhart castle loch ness

urquhart castle loch ness

the space, the sky, the history…& the folklore….

urquhart castle loch ness

nice sprawling grounds, with view of the expanse of waters of loch ness, a beautiful setting, and great demand for filming, wedding, receptions ect.

urquhart castle loch ness

urquhart castle ruins

castle wall…

urquhart castle ruins

urquhart castle loch ness

urquhart castle loch ness

urquhart castle loch ness

lakeside foliage…

urquhart castle ruins

urquhart castle loch ness

urquhart castle loch ness

looking back towards the hidden carpark area.

urquhart castle ruins

urquhart castle ruins

urquhart castle loch ness

urquhart castle loch ness

to the other end bound by the castle wall…just ruins..

urquhart castle loch ness

urquhart castle loch ness

urquhart castle loch ness

urquhart castle loch ness

urquhart castle loch ness

encircle quite a large compound..

urquhart castle loch ness

it was about closing time.

we drove the another 30+mins to arrive at our b&b for the evening, the willows.

c.h.e.f andy

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Urquhart Castle

sligachan hotel

leaving for inverness today on 14.6.2017. ^^

wife chose to go inverness as we then did not have to make a 6-hr drive back to glasgow. we had booked an easyjet flight from inverness to london luton the next day.

inverness is a 3hr drive. so we need not rush…we had a nice lunch booked already at one michelin star kinloch at the sleat peninsula.

sligachan bridge

we were early, with time (about 1.5hrs) to spare. 🙂

sligachan bridge

we stopped at sligachan to take in the beautiful sligachan bridge & landscape of the cullins.

sligachan bridge

sligachan bridge

Sligachan is located at the junction of the roads from portree, dunvegan & bradford. the hotel (top photo) was built around 1830. many early climbers chose this as a spot to start ascents of the cuillin.

we were here 3days ago when we were going to fairy pools on 11.6.2017.

we stopped but it was pouring, so we left and did not walk around…

sligachan bridge

there were groups of students doing their field study trips. 🙂

the enchanting waters of sligachan

& below flows the enchanted waters of sligachan, with all its magical powers.

the enchanting waters of sligachan

to confer eternal beauty for the ladies.

you need to kneel down, bend over let your face immerse into the flowing river, and then let it air dry, cannot cup the water & cannot wipe dry!

freezing cold it must be, so good luck to you all! 🙂

the enchanting waters of sligachan

the cuillin

the cuillin mountain range in the background.

wife thought she could see fairy pools glistening in the distance…

the cullins

lots of flora & fauna of course! 🙂

the cullins

the cullins

the cullins

the cullins

there is a swing gate & trek on the southern side of the river.

but it was starting to rain again, and our car was parked at the hotel grounds for short while.

the cuillin backdrop from sligachan

the cuillin backdrop from sligachan

the cuillin backdrop from sligachan

the cuillin backdrop from sligachan

trail at sligachan

trail at sligachan 

we returned to the car, but it was still too early for lunch maybe another 45mins. so we drove over and parked at the carpark south side of sligachan bridge. we dressed up in rain gears & went to take a short walk along the trail.

trail at sligachan

trail at sligachan

enchanted waters of sligachan 

we couldn’t go far also, so we turned back after a short walk, and headed to kinloch, much looking forward to our lunch.

c.h.e.f andy

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sligachan,

Isle of Skye IV47 8SW, UK

peinmore house 

stayed at peinmore house b&b this evening on 13.6.2017. ^^

peinmore house – view from car park

peinmore house car park

an excellent b&b! just £140/night, nice room, great lounge, free parking, great breakfast, and very importantly good wifi…

peinmore is 4km & 6mins drive from portree town centre, quite a perfect location really.

after returning from the spectacular scenery at neist point,

we decided to go light for dinner this evening..in fact we were light on lunch as well…so that’s why having a huge satisfying breakfast like we had at uig lodge this morning is so important https://chefquak.com/2017/09/03/great-stay-good-breakfast-uig-lodge-on-13jun2017-day-5-fort-williamsisle-of-skye-trip-9-14jun2017/(& when travelling in UK every breakfast is huge & almost w/o fail satisfying!)

went to buy takeaway fish & chips from the same portree stall we had 2 days back on 11.6.2017. it was just so good! ^^

so we had one £6.50 fish & chips to share, added a fried fish (the guy only charged me £3.50 for the extra fish) & a king rib (£4) =our dinner today no lunch…

btw, the king rib was a “fake” rib, some processed thingy like crab cake is, so not worth taking!…

peinmore house room

peinmore house room & toilet

and peinmore has decent sized room nicely appointed, nice ensuite toilet.

& location is convenient base to explore the northern signts like old man of storr, kilt rock & mealt falls, brothers point, quiraing. and also to go west to neist point etc..and of course south…quite an ideal base.

there is no need to pay £328 for skeabost & the like for duisdale, and the wifi at both these places basically don’t work!

>we had another packet of instant noodles, so i took one for myself. wife had enough of that. 🙂

peinmore house common lounge

peinmore house common lounge

view from peinmore house common lounge bay window

peinmore had a good size common lounge, very nicely appointed. we sat there & drank coffee & chilled.

i would stay at peinmore any time. it basically offers everything a traveller need in terms of good location, convenience, free parking, nice room & toilets, great breakfast & good wifi.

c.h.e.f andy

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Peinmore House B&B

breathtaking neist point

old man of storr to dunvegan castle to neist point

drove to neist point after dunvegan castle gardens on 13.6.2017…

really wonderful walk enjoying the beautiful breathtaking scenery….

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

the carpark for neist point is located at very end of the single track road about 30mins from Dunvegan Castle..

tiny carpark was full & we parked like many cars by the roadside.

breathtaking neist point

the path leads all the way to the lighthouse.

it’s an easy stroll. we took about 1 hr overall including stopping for pictures..

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

Neist Point (Scottish Gaelic: Rubha na h-Eist) is at the most westerly point of Skye. Neist Point Lighthouse has been located there since 1909. 

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

outside the dirt track, the fields were like carpet-bombed with sheep droppings…lol! 🙂

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

neist point lighthouse

The lighthouse is 43 meters above sea level and can be seen up to 16 nautical miles offshore. 

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

neist point has awesome views on both sides of the protruding rock shelves.

breathtaking neist point

we walked over to the east side of the rock shelves.

this the view of the coastline behind us looking back..

breathtaking neist point

& this is looking forward at the east side of the protruding shelves.

 

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

breathtaking neist point

we walked further back & took some selfies & wefies with the breathtaking scenery in the background.

a beautiful place…so many beautiful places…very happy that we drove the distance here, even if it’s more than an hours drive from portree. 🙂

c.h.e.f andy

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Neist Point Lighthouse

dunvegan castle gardens

today we are moving to a b&b peinmore at portree..we have done most of what we wanted to see on the east coast.

old man of storr to dunvegan castle to neist point

so after the exhilarating climb at old man of storr,

we decided to drive to neist point…that takes about 1hr 15mins…so we thought to drop by dunvegan castle to vist the gardens also on 13.6.2017..

dunvegan castle garden

dunvegan castle garden

dunvegan castle garden

dunvegan castle garden

dunvegan castle

entrance to the gardens was £11each for gardens only (£13 for castle & gardens)..

nothing much to see for me non-botantist just consider as donating to the upkeep of the place 🙏😎 

dunvegan castle garden

dunvegan castle garden

dunvegan castle garden

dunvegan castle garden

dunvegan castle garden

dunvegan castle garden

dunvegan castle garden

the gardens have various setting – like water gardens, wooded gardens, round gardens, walled gardens etc.

with a variety of water features, plants, flowers & trees…

dunvegan castle garden

dunvegan castle garden

dunvegan castle garden 

it was a pleasant stroll..

not quite the scenery that we would look out for in isle of skye but since it was on the way to neist point, it was a good break stop as well. 🙂

c.h.e.f andy

++++++++++++++++++++++

Duvegan Castle & Gardens

old man of storr hike

After a hearty breakfast at uig lodge,

we drove to old man of stor parked roadside about 1030am on 13.6.2017. ^^

It was a wonderful 2.5hrs hike, albeit 60% time in the rain & old man of storr constantly in mist & fog…

On a sunny day this would be quite an easy ascend…

We left uig in sunshine hoping to catch the sun at old man of storr soon drove through heavy rain & then stopped at old man of storr & started the hike with slight drizzle.. such is the weather…

cars parking roadside – old man of storr

cars parking roadside – old man of storr

cars parking roadside – old man of storr

we parked our car by the roadsdie like others, not far from the access swing gate.

people came before us. people came after us. despite the constant drizzle almost.

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

a dirt track up.

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

open plains…

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

nice walk…very slight drizzle at the start…

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

view of the sea looking back…

old man of storr hike

a second swing gate.

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

very overcast sky…

old man of storr hike

further up we go…

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

& quite misty too…..

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

starting to see old man of storr…mysterious & inviting…want to see more…

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

such a thrilling landscape…like middle earth my friends said…

old man of storr hike

old man of storr…

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

the walking is easier than quiraing…

between the 2, quiraing scenery is better…

old man of storr hike

quiraing was a shorter hike because we started from the carpark higher up.

here we started at road level.

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

the final stretches to the top..

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

it gets steeper, and more climbing…

old man of storr hike

view of where we came…

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

steeper still…

old man of storr hike

it’s there, in clear weather or sheathed in mystery…

old man of storr hike

old man of storr hike

it got a bit steep the last parts.

and large gravel patches.

wife didn’t feel comfortable to go up, so we didn’t…

overall it was an excellent walk & climb despite the moderately heavy rain. my S$2 daiso raincoat was not enough protection but still a great help otherwise my rain resistant parka would have soaked through…

an exhilarating climb!

i can do this again. ^^

c.h.e.f andy

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Old Man of Storr

Location:

Portree IV51 9HX UK 4.6

quiraing from carpark

it was really no fun getting wet. & it’s like raining all the time.

wife’s adage – just assume it will rain, be properly attired with all the rain gears, and roll on…wife later made good her advise, and bought me proper rain gears..but that was later.

quiraing from carpark

so we arrived at quiraing carpark after the beautiful walk at brothers point,

waited in the car for the rain to get lighter, ventured out for a short 50m, and was forced back by the rain.

my rain resistant parka was not much resistant, and my jeans and boots were wet through.

so defeated, we retreated to uig lodge, and discovered they had wonderful tasting mussels pot. 

we checked into our uig lodge room. and i used the dryer to dry my jeans & our boots. suitably rested & with dry gears, i was ready for war again, taking advantage of a short spell of dry weather.

quiraing from carpark

so we were back at quiraing carpark. it’s more crowded, and groups of hikers had gone up maybe 1hr earlier & trooping back when we ascended.

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

this must be the most beautiful ladnscape i have seen, outside of craggy coastlines like cornwall, exmoor & wales.

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

and the best hike ever!

nikko’s senjogahara marshland hike was beautiful, but not like this!

and the thrilling bukhansan hike was tougher than this, and beautiful too, but this was mesmerising!

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

unlike (say) the recent 7hr hike up mount snowdon i did with my RI bros on 2may2017, which was just a walk & the wondrous view came at the summit.

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

here we were just walking alongside the mountain & looking over the rolling knolls & plains in all their glories…

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

there are nice cracks & crevices..

quiraing hike

but the greatest beauty is the valleys.

 

quiraing hike

all my friends commented on the whatsapped photos “it’s like lord of the rings, in middle earth!”..

so why did they go new zealand to film?

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

if not for the threatening rain, i could do this lesisurely for another few hours…

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

there’s the falls & mountain streams…

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

& the rock shelves..more middle earth..

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

the mist adding to the mystery & romance..

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

we got to the gap, wanting to go over & look over the other side.

but the rain finally came.

i had to hurriedly put on my S$2 daiso raincoat. at least i did not get wet as before.

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

quiraing hike

we turned back & walked hurriedly.

we took 1hr 40mins…

This my best hike..such wonderful scenery hiking in the mountain.

We took 1hr 45mins. more than 1 hr to get to the gap & very quick trekking back forced by the rain….could gave taken 2.5hrs but it started to rain as we descended so had to walk really fast..

this a place i would like to return to trek, hopefully in better weather…my most memorable hike!

c.h.e.f andy

we parked here & crossed the road to walk brother’s point 

after a good breakfast at skeabost hotel,

we drove again on A855 coastal road & parked at Rubha nam Brathairean, also known as Brothers Point, on 12.6.2017. ^^

brothers point walk

trailhead – brothers point walk 

we crossed over to the trailhead.

brothers point walk 

& followed the trek past swing gates & private farm livestock grazing fields.

gracing fields – brothers point walk 

so beautiful!

brothers point walk 

it is every bit a hidden treasure as many bloggers noted!

gracing fields – brothers point walk 

a truly wonderful 1 hr stroll…

gracing fields – brothers point walk

craggy coast – brothers point walk 

a 1hr return on a slow stroll…

craggy coast –
brothers point walk

gracing fields – brothers point walk 

we had the whole place to ourselves!

did not see a soul till we were walking back…

beautiful knolls – brothers point walk 

lush green grazing fields..

beautiful knolls – brothers point walk

beautiful knolls – brothers point walk 

the rock formation, small boulders patches..

beautiful knolls – brothers point walk

beautiful knolls – brothers point walk

and craggy coast…

brothers point walk

grazing fields, sheep..backdrop of rocks..

craggy coast – brothers point walk

craggy coast – brothers point walk

craggy coast – brothers point walk 

stones & boulders dotted the craggy coastline…

looking back at the farm house – brothers point walk

craggy coast – brothers point walk 

lost in the interplay of lush green farmed habitat & craggy wilderness…

craggy coast – brothers point walk

craggy coast – brothers point walk

nice rock formation – brothers point walk

small fall – brothers point walk 

a tiny fall along the path

craggy stone coast – brothers point walk

craggy stone coast – brothers point walk

brothers point walk

craggy stone coast – brothers point walk 

the serene beauty of it all!

we could just sit & picnic…

for the short interlude we were blessed with “good” weather. that means an overcast sky but no rain…

it’s time to get to quiraing & try our luck…but alas, not to be for time being….

c.h.e.f andy

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

Brothers Point (Rubha nam Brathairean)

Location:

Skye, East Kilbride, Glasgow G74 2BX, UK

skeabost hotel room

after a satisfied sampling of fresh oysters & 1/2 lobster at the oyster shed, 

we drove on & checked in at skeabost hotel on 11.6.2017.

another really expensive hotel, like it’s sister hotel, duisdale house hotel, where we stayed last evening.

skeabost hotel room 

room was large, but not as large and not as nicely appointed as duisdale.

skeabost hotel room toilet 

toilet was 1/2 the size of duisdale room toilet & not of the same class.

the entire location, ambience of the building and room did not impress like duisdale.

in terms of tariff, this place was even more expensive. duisdal was £428, but that included 2x£55 5-course degustation dinner. this one was £328/night for for bed & breakfast.

and the wifi really sucks! as bad as duisdale. don’t think it can be badder. no wifi (basically) in the room nor at the drawing room or dining hall (basically) if you try to upload any photos!

nespresso coffee in the room 

redemming grace – they did have a nespresso machine, and i managed to get some extra capsules from the service desk…that they were very friendly about! we are both coffee king, me a lot more than wife.wife had a strange episode here, one of 2 times in her life…

she woke up in the middle of the night feeling uneasy, and needed me to go to the car to get something…

it was drizzling. we both went to the main door. i took an umbrella & got to our car. a car stopped by at the main door at this time & a caucasian guy came in to ask for directions, said he was lost trying to locate his friend’s place to ask for directions. it was 2.30am. we helped him rang the calling bell at the service desk. no one came, as quite expected. he realised that it was odd & he left the place shortly. we then went back to our level 2 room.

c.h.e.f andy

++++++++++++++++++++++++

Skeabost Hotel

highland bull

after the exhilarating views of kilt rock & mealt falls, and lealt gorge, lealt falls, cliffs & craggy coastlines,

we drove back to the picturesque portree.

highland bull

on the way wife sighted the highland bull, a magnificient creature & evidently with a murderous temper.

portree

portree

we stopped along a roadside parking a short turn from the tiny picturesque portree town centre & took some pictures.

portree

portree

portree

the we drove down to the quay area.

portree

there was a fish & chip sign entering the quay road to the quay area.

fish and chips

fish and chips

we ordered one takeaway fish & chips to share. it was £6.50..

the fish & chips was delicious, quite excellent!

fish batter was very crisp, nicely browned, sweet & tasty, especially with salt & vinegar.

it was certainly nostalgic. fish & chips was like among the first food i had some 40yrs ago when i first arrived in england. 🙂

fish and chips @ portree

there was a queue forming up for the restaurant next to the fish & chips joint. the fish & chips place itself, no much queue, just couple of guys in front of us.

pink guest house portree

on the other side was the pink guesthouse.