Day 13: Sligachan to Kyleakin

We are pleasantly surprised to be comfortably housed at Saucy Mary's Hostel in Kyleakin with a view of the Skye Bridge out of the window.

It is the last day of our holiday and we have enjoyed discovering the very different landscapes of the islands which make up the Outer Hebrides and spending the last three days or so going at a slower pace than usual down the more familiar Skye. The only down side has been the weather but we knew to expect the wind. We could just have done with less dampness and more sunshine.

Today we had a leisurely start in the very fine Sligachan Lodge, which is to be recommended. Once packed we said goodbye to Leo the warden and pedalled over to the Hotel for breakfast before continuing South to Kyleakin. Tony had found in the guide book an alternative track from Sconser and around the headland to Moll on the northern side of Loch Ainort which got us away from the traffic and avoided us going over the A87 climb through the red Cuillins. It added a few miles to the journey but in light of the fierce wind and the rain funnelled down the glen we were glad to not be on the road with the holiday traffic for at least a short while. The track also gave us glorious views of Raasay and Scalpay and a view back down the Trotternish Ridge.

Once we rejoined the A87 we cycled to Broadford and enjoyed very good cuppas and huge slices of cake in the Cafesi! Then it was back on the road all the way here to Kyleakin and bacon & egg rolls then a half a lager for me in the Haakon Bar whilst Tony left me in charge of the panniers to cycle to Kyle to time how long it will take us at 5am tomorrow morning! Outside the bar is a huge bit of rock that King Haakon apparently sat on whilst on his way to the battle of Largs in the 13th century. It's a very pointy rock and I think the landlord is having a laugh!

The sun came out whilst we were passing time till check in at Saucy Mary's so we did a circuit of the harbour and blipped the ruined castle and some fishing boats.

I could have uploaded my postcard sunny blip of the harbour but I think this one is more reflective of most of today and our holiday! It's taken as the rain swept down the hills across Loch Ainort as we rounded the Moll headland. You can spot Tony in his red jacket on the track ahead of me and also the A87 coming diagonally down the hillside in the distance. Our route was right round this inlet.