And from there, on the Monday, we took the high road to Ullapool and thence to launch from Old Dornie for a few days out in the Islands. It was late afternoon and we knew of a pleasing beach - 10 mins paddle, at most. So we went the long way round Isle Ristol to enjoy the outside of the islands and make like it really was the start of a decent trip.
We found this little Ringed Plover rather closer than we'd have liked when we got the tent up, but it seemed happy to let us share the space - these are incredible to watch as they run - the body seems to hover over those little legs which just go 20 to the dozen!
This doesn't do the leg action justice!
There are pleasing places to be found - notably the coffee shop on Tannara Mor - and once you've negotiated the boulder fields from hell, pleasing camp spots as well! Jim has spoken of the Zone of Green Death - this wasn't it - we'd looked at that particular beach as we went round Tannera Beag and decided "no"! This one was a close second.
And, it had a view - and wood.
We like rocks - and arches!
- -especially the ones which stick up out of nowhere - -
- - on the way to more pleasing spots - this particular one being on Priest - -
- - and has a fabulous lochan above it and would make a grand camp spot were we not just on a day trip having left the tent on Tannera Beag.
After exploring Priest's cliffs and the rather more sloping coast of the west side, the lure of the joys of the islands to the east led us over to Bottle Island and into the skerries where the local seals were much in evidence, although not captured successfully on camera.
Landing spots are few, but this wee boulder beach provided a welcome rest in preparation for the slog back north to T/Beag which we knew was going to be into a F4 - which provided a bit of fun!
It has to be said that the Boulders from Hell were a welcome sight! Although clearly someone had greased them specially for us at this level of the tide. Go canny - they are real fun - not! Still, the evening's fire and internal warmth (Jamiesons) led to a grand sleep before we awoke to drizzle for breakfast.
The final day saw us making our way slowly back up to Old Dornie via the gap between T/Mor and T/Beag with a break in a pleasant little bay at the north end where lunch was taken in a light drizzle. We arrived back at the car just as the heavens opened. It really is a superb area though, and we only scratched the surface.
We can report that there is an excellent pub at Altandu and the camp site there looks like an ideal base for the area. However, Mrs McLeod's B&B at Dornie House B&B (summerislesview@btinternet.com) comes highly recommended for the quality of the welcome, and the superb breakfast the following morning!! It was also dry, and midge free, and with superb views over the islands!
Thanks to Jim for some excellent advice on the area - pics are by me and Cat - the other cat was delighted to see me and even more delighted to return home for some well earned patrol work involving checking for small, furry, tasty things in the hedge bottom.
Mike
