Isle of Raasay

The price to pay for beautiful sunny days is cold nights. Last night we put our second duvet on the bed and were well cosy. Earlier in the evening we'd been sat outside 'The Chippy', yes that was the name of the fish and chip shop, talking to a couple from Twyford who'd flown up to Inverness to drive the North Coast 500. Average price of their B&B's, £175.00 a night!

Another clear bright start to the day. An empty sky forecast another good day. We stayed on in Portree until after lunch. The parking area was rammed with vans and it made for a nice social outing. Everyone had stories to tell and advice to give. A young Italian couple who we'd spoken to last night asked us to recommend where they should spend their last few days before returning their hire van to Edinburgh. It had to be, drive a little further up the west coast, it's stunning. They were hoping the roads would be 'proper'. On Scotland's west coast a proper road is single track with passing places, and lots of potholes. And that's the A roads.

Today we had planned to visit Raasay which lies just off Skye. A twenty-five-minute sailing for just twenty-two pounds delivers you to this tiny island just 5 miles wide by fourteen miles long. The journey is essential if you like views.

We found them to be extraordinary! The Red and Black Cuillin mountains stood proud. We'd never seen them look so magnificent. The roads here however needed major attention. Shake, rattle and roll Marge. Well not the roll bit perhaps.

After driving around, for a while we settled Marge at the start of the walk to Dun Caan, the highest mountain on the island. It was cold, but the walk up warmed us. To see the most amazing views sometimes you have to climb a mountain, and although we did not walk right to the top, in the two hours we were walking we saw some amazing views. Certainly, twenty-two pounds worth. 

Tonight, Marge is tucked behind a traditional stone building at the little ferry port. The last ferry arrived on the island at seven thirty this evening, so we couldn't leave now even if we wanted to. The late sun turned the mountains gold. Still striking they look down over us. 

We are tired from our walking, but well fed, warm and content. That'll do us.