Staffin

30th August 2011
Today we moved campsite to the Camping and Caravan site at Staffin. This site is a little more conventional compared to the last site, standard type of toilet block, but more expensive site to stop at.
On the drive up we past the car park area for the Old Man of Storr, very busy, will need to get there early if we ever intend to walk to the Old Man
This afternoon we walked from the campsite to Breun Phort via Cadha Riach. The waves were crashing in so I tried to get some dramatic photos, but I got concerned about getting cut off by the tide so packed it in. There was an Oyster Catcher perched on a rock with the waves crashing behind it, would have made a great photo but either needed a bigger lens or needed to get closer, but as I said I was concerned about the tide.
Played on the beach at An Corran with Bonnie and then went for a look at the Stenscholl river. This river is supposed to be another good places to see otters, nothing doing.
Back at the site, despite the man on reception saying he expected a rush of campers it was very quite.


Phil

Otter Haven

29th Aug 2011
Today we took the Glen Arroch single track road over Bealach Udal and on to Kylerhea. Here there is a small ferry crossing to the main land and a nicely situated car park above the slipway giving a nice view out over the channel. We parked the van and walked the 1K trail to the Otter Haven. A short distance down the trail there is a small toilet block and at regular intervals along the track the trees have been cleared giving a view down to the channel. At these clearings there is an information board giving information on various local wild creatures.
At the Otter Haven there is a nicely kept hide complete with information boards. The hide looks out over Kylerhea narrows. Unfortunately we we did not see any otters from the hide but we did see a number of seals in the water and on the beach. There is a log book in the hide where you are encouraged to log what you see. The previous days activity showed that an otter had been seen, it also stated that someone had been there for 30 mins and saw nothing! I think your visit to the hide should probably be for longer than 30 mins if you want to spot anything interesting. Inside the hide there are a number of sets of binoculars, if like me you forget to take yours on holiday. Find out more about the hide here.
On return to the van we had a picnic lunch overlooking the channel. That's one of the great things with a camper van, when you go out for the day you have all your things with you (apart for binoculars of course!)

Phil

Rubha Ardnish

28th Aug 2011
Woke this morning to what sounded like an Arctic storm raging outside. We decided to have a slow start to the day, a little bit of reading and then a early lunch with a walk to follow.
The walk was just a short one, through Lower Breakish and out onto Rubha Ardnish along the shore line and black.
The walk may have been short, just a couple of hours, but it blew the cobwebs away.

Phil

Off to Skye

27th Aug 2011
Today we are taking the camper van from South Cumbria (home) to the Isle of Skye.
When we travel the west side of Scotland we have three main stopping places, either great spots for us or the dog. The first of these is the Annandale Water services on the M74. This is a perfect spot if you are travelling with a dog. At the far end of the car park is a great dog walking area complete with a lake. The second place is at Inveruglas on the banks of Loch Lomond, this is both a great spot to stop for both the dog and ourselves. The facilities are good, nice ice-cream , great views of the Loch and surrounding mountains, including Ben Lomond. Today we stopped there for lunch. The third stop is Fort William, it's usual for us to fill up with diesel at Morrison's. When heading north of Fort William you need to fill up on cheaper super market fuel, we won't find it cheap north of here.
The journey from Cumbria to Skye was enjoyable with not a great deal of traffic. It started in heavy rain but the sky cleared a little so that we had great views on the way of Loch Lomond, Glen Coe and The Seven Sisters.
On arrival at the campsite we go into our routine of Tina taking Bonnie for a walk while I set up the little house - turn on the gas, hook up the electric, fill the water container, connect up the water pump, turn the passenger seat around and pop up the roof, hay presto It's ready.
We are stopping at Ashaig Camping and Caravan site for three nights. The site is very simple with a small number of facilities, this is not a problem as along as the numbers allowed on the site are kept low. We had a very warm welcome by the owner and it is a reasonable price.
From the site there is a good view of The Red Cuillin, from here they hide their more sort after cousins, The Black Cuillins.

Phil