Strike While the Iron is Hot - another blog entry!

After a long but pleasant drive from the Loch Lomond Premier Inn, I've finally made it ... to almost the northern tip of Skye. Contrary to the weather forecast before I left, it was dry and by the time I was at Glen Coe there was a hazy sun which grew stronger as the day wore on.

I recognised some of where I was as back in 1992 I was on a field trip to Rum and discussing issues of sustainable tourism ... Tyndrum is more than ever the mini highland equivalent of a 'kiss-me-quick' south coast resort, but it is somewhere holidaymakers want.

Glen Coe was as impressive as ever - I did see an Aston Martin coming the other way, but it wasn't a DB4, so it couldn't have been James Bond. Every layby was full of vehicles, even at 11.30 with people enjoying the fine weather. Speaking of weather, the results of Storm Amy were to be seen with fallen trees and temporary traffic lights along most roads.

Uig Tower

I also remembered Morrison's in Fort William, but not how to get to it and I needed supplies! With the good weather, I dug out my camera and at Uig captured what seemed at first to be a Martello Tower, but was a folly built by one of the notorious 19th C landlords, Major William Fraser, where his Factor would collect rents from his tenants (the ones not subject to Highland Clearance). It is now known as Uig Tower. So I have a certain satisfaction knowing that while his folly, abandoned and dangerous, has just a 'B' historic listing, my croft, built about 1880, has an 'A' listing! Posh, or what? It's tiny but has WiFi.

My rental property

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

With dusk descending over the Outer Hebrides, I'm pleased I came, even if the drive (~750 miles) was rather long.