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" Skye 5. ~ Dunvegan & Coral Beach "
Date & Time: Sunday, 30th June 2013. Locations : Scotland ~ Isle of Skye ~Dunvegan Places visited : Colbost, Dunvegan and the Coral Beaches. Accommodation : Six Willows Bed and Breakfast in Glendale. With : Ann and the dogs, Harry and Bethan. Weather : Variable !
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Skye 5 ~ Dunvegan & Coral Beach " at EveryTrail [ Alter the settings to zoom or change the Map, use Everytrail to download the Gps route ] |
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Whilst staying at Glendale we explored east as well, visiting Colbost and Dunvegan The area has one or two longer walks but we opted for the gentler option and enjoyed the scenery and the local attractions offered by the area. Tourist leaflet in hand we headed for Colbost on the opposite side of the loch from the small but important town of Dunvegan.
An old thatched cottage sits on the side of the hill, a single remnant of many that lined the sides of the hills and lochs of the area. This one has been lovingly restored to its former glory, if glory is the right word, to show how a "Black House" of the 19th Century would have looked at that time. It now is the centre piece of the Colbost Croft Museum
The building has no chimney, hence the dark smoky colour, but the smell was delightful as peat doesn't have that acrid smell of coal or wood.
The second room would have been used for the animal or animals kept by the croft. The two rooms were divided by a boxed-in bedroom . . . or rather a boxed-in-bed with a few old blankets and presumably a straw mattress.
The first was an article on the water mill we visited in Glendale, the second a report on the Crofters Uprising in The Braes where we saw the memorial stone at the site of the crofting revolution .
I'll let you read the words on how the kelp was harvested and used.
At the back of the croft there's even an old illicit Whisky Still . . . hidden in the outbuilding.
Back into the daylight . . . a really nice, low key museum but a real snapshot of history. - - - o o o - - - On the way through the village of Dunvegan we called down to the quay.
A busy car park with several fisheries lorries and vans transferring their catch for onward travel to be sold at the fish markets of Britain and presumably Europe.
The jetty and harbour master's building has seen better days !
The notice says " Strictly no parking or gear storage on the pier " " . . . Yes officer . . . I've only just put it there a moment ago ! "
The jetty was part way up the smaller Beinn Bhreac (or Dunvegan) peninsular, at the head of which was a signposted walk to the Coral Beaches.
Looking across the stoney beaches at the unusual white coral beach in the distance.
Along the way there was a fine display of flowers alongside the track.
Orchids and birdsfoot trefoil
Unknown . . . come on folks . . . help me out !
At the head of the beach is a rather fine rocky crag . . . the four people on the top were not a permanent feature by the way.
Rather than sand from crushed stone, the beach is made up of calcite from shells and the bleached skeletons of red coraline seaweed, known locally as maerl (pronounced marl) . . . rather unusual.
We headed up onto the rocky outcrop to admire the view too. The peninsular opposite is Duirinish with Glendale on the other side.
Turning around . . . this is the Waternish Peninsular with the village of Stein just visible through the slight mistiness of the day. Stein would be our next stay in a day or so.
A rather fine od sailing boat was making its way up channel towards Dunvegan harbour. The bigger lens shows the detail as it passes the crofts of Borrereg.
The high ground in the distance is MacLeod's Table, Healabhal Mhor.
Heading back past an old ruined croft.
Back in the car we drive back down towards Dunvegan. Behind Healabhal Mhor is Healabhal Bheag ( MacLeod's table North and South)
The boat we saw earlier has arrived and moored up in the bay.
Also in view is MacLeod's Castle, the home of the Clan Chief MacLeod
We parked on the Portree road next to the first of the two churches of the "Two Churches Walk " This is the ruin of the old St Mary's Church built on the site of an earlier church, possibly dating back to the time of St Columba when Christianity first spread to the west coast of Scotland. The grey skies are left over from a recent downpour. We sat in the car to wait for it to pass before starting the walk.
The church and grounds are the resting place of many old local families including five chiefs of the MacLeod clan from Dunvegan Castle.
We head up through the wet moorland grass . . . but the sun is out and all is well once again.
The locals have erected a standing stone to celebrate the year 2000 Millennium. An interesting choice and one that should stand the test of time . . . if standing stones are anything to go by.
The upland meadows here were full of flowers . . . white eyebrights and yellow tormentil to name just two.
White Clover and tall grassland flowers alongside the path.
Through the gate and the scenery changes to heather and bilberry moorland.
Being summer the trees are in full leaf and the promised views looking down on the castle were obscured . . . but no problem.
At the end of the walk . . . the second of the two churches . . . the Duirinish Parish Church. It was built in 1832 by the 24th Clan Chief. This classic church is stunning by its very appearance, so different from the stone houses and the castle locally. Inside it also features a Penitence Platform, where offenders stood before the congregation to admit to breaches of moral laws.
Back at the car, just in time . . . before the next rain shower arrives. Ohh . . . and those birds of prey flying overhead . . . not a thing . . . still the skylarks were nice ! |
- - - o o o - - - Technical note: Pictures taken with either Ann's Canon Sureshot SX220 or my Canon 1100D Digital SLR Camera. Resized in Photoshop, and built up on a Dreamweaver web builder. This site best viewed with . . . . a wee guide book of local walks.
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