Another lovely day on Skye and the decision today is to take a trip down to Broadford, in the south east corner, not far from the bridge to the mainland. It is lunchtime before we get going but the Cuillins are never far away in this part of Skye.
The scenery right along the A87 is magnificent for the whole of its length.
This particular campsite is in a lovely situation at the head of Loch Sligachan.
As Loch Sligachan reaches the Sound of Raasay, Sconser‘s golf course has a wonderful setting. Caledonian MacBrayne run a ferry over to the island of Raasay and we were tempted to go over with Bessie, but decided against it in the end on grounds of cost.
The next loch we come to is Loch Ainort with the island of Scalpay (another one!) in the distance.
Rusty corrugated roofed barns are a constant feature of the islands and Skye is no exception. I love them and I can’t resist photographing them when I see them!
Just outside Broadford we spotted a cafe next to the Post Office. Before we left on this trip we ordered a bumper amount of OS maps for the trip – well over £100 worth! But we had neglected to complete the Skye set so correctly guessed that the PO might have the missing map. We were also able to get a few little gifts while we were there. Feeling pleased, we decided to treat ourselves to coffee and cake at the cafe, which had a nice outdoor seating area.
We both chose pieces of something called Toffee Humpy Bumpy cake – impressive eh! Note the arty inclusion of dear Bessie…
(We thought it was high time that food made it to the blog again.)
Broadford turned out to be a pleasant small town set within a large bay (plus a large Co-Op) and, still in search of interesting birdlife, we took some excursions down narrow roads on the other side of the bay. 
Nice scenery but, apart from gulls and this Hooded Crow poking around in the seaweed, no birds to speak of.
As a backdrop, the mountains are forever present.
We took another narrow track up to the pier at Broadford. Birds no, but boats yes.
Then we made an on the spot decision to take a small cross country road to Elgol at the end of the Strathaird peninsular. The road wanders through Strath Suardal and past the ruined Cill Chriosd (Christ’s Church) and its graveyard.
As the road rounds the end of Loch Slapin, you can’t help being aware of one of the Black Cuillin hills looming over you.
The road winds along the loch with the usual blind summits and excruciating drops as the road rises. As we approached Elgol the road descended so steeply that I’m afraid I lost any nerve I still had and we both felt we would rather turn round now! This is what I mean…
One drop too many!
On the way back we spotted this rather kitsch statue on a hill by some thatched holiday homes. Rob Roy?
More amazing mountain scenery, including the Red Cuillins:
and then we were back to the A87 again and heading back to the campsite. We had intended having a barbecue but decided against it as our detour (nearly) to Elgol had taken us longer than expected. We are just beginning to come to grips with how big Skye is and how long it can take to get to all the far flung corners. It is certainly a beautiful island though and we are so lucky that we are seeing it in such wonderful weather.
Adventures with Bessie & Madge 
Never thought of Skye with such impressive mountains. The photos, especially with fab clouds, are as great as always. Am enjoying my trip with you as much as you obviously are and that pudding/cake!!!!!
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Hi Margaret! Yes, you’re never that far from a mountain in Skye (I’m not sure if they are all technically mountains but they certainly tower over you). It feels a bit like a mini Switzerland at times with little white houses nestled in the foothills. Glad you’re still enjoying it. 🙂
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The photographs certainly do give a feel of Switzerland, at one point I started looking for Heidi and the goats! Spectacular scenery yet again. Don’t forget the list of fauna that you’ve seen for the first time whilst on this adventure.
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Thanks Sean. I didn’t see your posts at first as you seem to have changed your login name. I had to approve you all over again! We’ve had a quiet day today so there won’t be as much to put on the blog but will put the list on it! 🙂
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Not aware of changing my login name.
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That cake has made me feel incredibly hungry! I thought of Switzerland too – the photo of the cattle with the mountains in the background reminds me of driving through Switzerland.
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