A Week in Skye - 2002
5th May 2002 - Over the 'bridge' to Skye
Some friends were heading off to Skye for the week, never been to Scotland before so I tagged along. Flight up to Inverness then a hire car along the banks of Loch Ness, across the controversial new bridge and we're on Skye.
6th May 2002 - Around the Isle of Skye
Day 1, explore the island. Syke looks great, beautiful rugged coastline, craggy hills and open moorland. It's great to be away from London for a while, fresh air and open space. Hire car's a lovely new Mondeo. I love my old Astra but it's a joy to drive. Never driven a half decent car before, power steering, electric windows I'm easily pleased.
7th May 2002 - Skye
Early May and the weather in Skye is beautiful. Shorts and tee-shirt weather. Breakfast out side at the cottage, sea-food for lunch and a few beers in the evening. Lovely.
8th May 2002 - The Talisker Distillery
Talisker distillery on the shores of Loch Harport. Not a great whiskey drinker but Talisker is my favorite. Did a full tour of the distillery including a few tastings. I was definitely not driving today.
9th May 2002 - Britain's remotest pub
With no roads in or out, an 18 mile hike over The Munros or a 7 mile sea crossing, the pub is the remotest, on mainland Britain (according to The Guinness Book of Records). The Old Forge in the village of Inverie, Knoydart, started out as a smiddy’s forge. Later, seeing better use as a workers social club where it grew up and became a pub. The Old Forge.
10th May 2002 - The Three Chimneys in Colbost
No. 28 on Restaurant magazine's definitive list of the "World’s 50 Best Restaurants", 2002. The guys decided that they had to go there and try it out so having never been to anything better than the local Indian I tagged along to see how the other half lives. The food was OK but not great but I was impressed with the service. Our waiter had a laugh and a joke with us but I watched him serving another table where he was all prim and proper. He read the tables and served them accordingly. He told us that he'd trained in one of Gordon Ramsey's restaurants in Glasgow, maybe all that effing and blinding does get results.