We had planned to drive the
Applecross round with the famous Bealach na Bà (pass of the cattle)
today. The morning sun was very promising and we had a wonderful view
to the Isle of Skye and the Cuillin from our room.
Our first stop was Plockton. The picturesque fishing village
enjoys a mild climate due to a branch of the Gulf Stream allowing even
the palm-like Cabbage Trees to grow there.
Plockton at low tide
Mary recommended we get some sandwiches at the Kishorn
Seafood Bar and so we bought some filled with crab and squat lobster.
The narrow road to the Bealach na Bà is very much like the roads
over the mountain passes in the Alps with many hairpin bends. The views
from the car park at the highest point at 626 m are fantastic and from
there we started for a hike to Sgurr a' Chaorachain.
Up we go!
Skye on the horizon
Coire a' Chaorachain
Coire na Bà with Skye in the background
Loch Kishorn
at the top at 792 m
back on the same way
over there we have been
Back at the car park we ate
our sandwiches in the car (the wind was quite chilly, despite the
sunshine). Down again on the other side of the pass the villages at the
Applecross Bay are still some of the most isolated settlements in
Scotland, having been only accessible by boat until the early 20th
century.
Applecross Bay
After a short detour to Toscaig we continued clockwise around the West and North of the peninsula.
at the end of the road to Toscaig, once linked by ferry to Kyle of Lochalsh
Kenmore, one of many small hamlets along the way
our Zafira
The Torridon Hills are an impressive view from the northern coast of the peninsula.
Shieldaig with Beinn Alligin and Liathach
Through Glen Shieldaig the road heads back to Loch Kishorn and
along the shores of Loch Carron to Plockton. At the
pub of the Plockton Inn we enjoyed a half pint of ale before heading back home.
