To Skye

Our last morning at Rannoch Moor, and its was sending it down. Very low cloud, driving wind and horizontal rain. Perfect really.

Today we set out for the Isle of Skye, and we are in no rush which is a good thing, given the weather. We do have a timetable, as we have to be at, and ready to photograph, the Jacobite steam train crossing the Glenfinnan Viaduct at 10.45 am. As every good Harry Potter fan knows, the train is actually the Hogwarts Express.

We arrived in time, and debated whether it was actually worth getting out of the car. It was miserable, but we did it for Ella and Sloane. Kate and Kirsty were content to see it from afar, but I ventured underneath the viaduct to try and capture the curve of the viaduct.

I had to give some death stares to some people who clambered up to my vantage point and thought it was good idea to stand in front of me with umbrellas up. They moved.

As the rain fell, and the train was late, we shivered our time away with high expectations. Finally, there was puff of smoke in the distance, the sound of a whistle, and there it was. Majestic. Worth the effort. A few seconds of magic re-lived and the crowd erupted in applause. Despite all my scrambling and mud sliding, I think Kate actually got the money shot. It was excellent.

Now, onto Mallaig where our next appointment was with a ferry to carry across the water to Syke. A town called Armadale to be precise. We were in plenty of time, but the best part of the drive (apart from the dramatic scenery) was that we caught up with the steam train, and parralleled it,with Kate taking a fantastic video.

It was then onto our accommodation via a Co-Op to buy the essentials. We are staying in a remote area near Dunvegan Castle. It is a modern Scandi style wooden “shed” which has the most amazing views out across the Loch. A homemade chicken curry from scratch and an early night. It has been another big day.