I Don't Believe It

 Friday, May 7

What a nuisance it has been, having to bring our own sheets and duvet covers, pillowcases and towels. Why was this only a Covid requirement on Mull and not in any other place we stayed? That meant that we had to strip beds this morning as well as finish the packing.

It all went very smoothly, we had a good run to the Fishnish Ferry, only to find that the boat had raised its loading ramp and was swinging around, leaving the port. We stopped on the line, and the boat swung back. ''Is it coming back?'', says Pam. Indeed it was. Unbelievable - except that we saw it happen. The ferry returned to the jetty, lowered the ramp, and we were waved on board. That saved us about an hour.

After shopping in Fort William, we set off up the Great Glen. The journey from Fort William to Kyle of Lochalsh and the bridge to Skye via the A82 and A87 is 74 miles of the most spectacular scenery one could wish for. It was sunny for most of the way, with occasional short showers and varying amounts of cloud. The sun made the surrounding mountain tops, deeply filled with fresh, glistening, snow, the four lochs which we circumnavigated, and the trees' bursting buds a pleasure to experience. Shame about the three roadworks, two of them following escort vehicles. It did give us time to look about though.

The first time I did this journey was in the early 60s, in Shewan's minibus, filled with children and camping gear. We had to set up our tents roadside - unexpectedly - for the night, near the Five Sisters. We'd run out of daylight and didn't know how far it was to the ferry to Skye. We then spent five days camped on the beach in the Cuillins, unable to climb because of the poor weather. It was the first time I saw, from the shelter of a small tent, Highland cattle eating seaweed on the beach.

To-night's stay is at the Cuillins Hills Hotel in Portree. Way over our usual budget, none of the B and Bs are open yet. The hotel is situated amongst woodland, our bedroom has a close sea view, we were upgraded for some unknown reason. We were escorted by two workers, who took our overnight case from our twt filled car, then met us at the parking area before carrying our computer bags etc. to our room. The man then fetched us hot drinks from the kitchen to save us making our own. I could get used to this. We eschewed the option of an evening meal at £45 a head, we wouldn't do it justice. I ate carrot sticks and hummus and Pam king prawns with cocktail sauce (M and S). Breakfast is ordered and will be delivered to our room in the morning, we decided not to go to the dining room.

 Postscript 

Mull was not at its best for what may well be our last stay. We still enjoyed it. Although we miss the delights of the Ross of Mull - we used to stay there for a few days before moving on to Dervaig - Dervaig is still the better all round option for us. As we are going to The Uists, missing out on Iona and its Corncrakes is not important.

I'll finish with a photo of the ubiquitous Meadow Pipit, plankton for raptors, so that to-day has an illustration,




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