Around the Isle of Sky to Ratagan and on to Stirling

Around the Isle of Sky to Ratagan and on to Stirling - 10th and 11th July

After leaving the hostel in Broadford we decided to do a loop of the Isle of Sky to see the sights as we had heard that it was very scenic however the weather didn't play ball and it was wet and misty. Our first stop was the Sligachan Old Bridge and the Collie and MacKenzie Statue. The statue depicted two friends that used to hike and climb in the area Info here some good info on the interpretation boards.

Then on to the Old Man of Storr rock outcrops. There was a large carpark and a lot of people and a well maintained walk albeit reasonably steep. We mucked around here for about two hours climbing to the outcrops and waiting for the mist to clear. It did from time to time and we got a few photos. The 55m tall rock column is actually a volcanic plug, a volcanic plug being formed when magma within a volcanic vent cools and sets. The land surrounding the Old Man slopes down rather rapidly as a result of basalt lava landslides from these volcanoes, which caused the Jurassic sedimentary rock below to collapse.

After a coffee from the cart at the carpark, off we went around Isle of Sky. The road is single track again with "passing places" and inclement weather. We passed by Caisteal Ùisdein (Hugh's castle) not bothering to get out of the car. Back around to Broadford where we got some lunch from the supermarket and the headed down to Ratagan and our accommodation at the Youth Hostel. On the way we passed the Eilean Donan castle but too expensive and too wet to go in and we were running out of time. 

The Ratagan Youth Hostel was great place to spend the night next to Loch Duich and in the morning we headed off to Stirling. Once again the weather was rainy and misty so we didn't take any photos but there was some great scenery driving through from Glencoe over the mountains. We saw lots of walkers looking reasonably miserable on one of their more popular long hikes through Scotland.

When we arrived in Stirling we parked up at our hostel that luckily was close to the Stirling Castle a "point of interest" we had been keen to visit. So up the hill we walked and brought tickets at the info centre and spent the afternoon at the castle. All you ever wanted to know about Stirling Castle Info here  Needless to say to was a great visit with plenty of stories about battles and kings from the tour guide. Plenty of photos below as there was plenty to see and the weather cleared up for the afternoon thankfully.

Sligachan Old Bridge

Our two day drive staying at the Ratagan overnight.

Collie and MacKenzie Statue

Old Man of Storr rock outcrops with the mist restricting the views.

Maree wondering if the climb was worth it.

Looking back down the trail with all the walkers coming up for a look

Looking back up as we wondered down the trail.

 The rock outcrops

Caisteal Ùisdein (Hugh's castle) viewed along the way.

Bilingual traffic signs also topical in NZ. Plenty in Scotland.

Eilean Donan Castle Info here

The Ratagan Youth hostel and in photo below next to Loch Duich. Another excellent hostel.

Statue of Robert the Bruce on the castle esplanade.

Some of the walls and embankments used for the castles protection back in the day.

Maree in the garden.

The old gardens down in front of the castle

The great hall from the bottom courtyard.

Another view of the gardens

The Great Hall with its distinctive colours

Two photos from the restored rooms inside the castle.

The cannon battery that was used during the battle with the Jacobites Info here

A simulation of kitchen activity from the old kitchens that have been dug out recently
according to our guide.