Excitement in Lochinver

We awoke to rain! Shocking, the first time in a week.

We were heading into Assynt to the craft market which is in Elphin every Wednesday morning and then contemplating a new walk by Little Loch Assynt.

It started to brighten as we left but the mountains were pretty shrouded. Visited the market, Elphin tea rooms closed so headed into Lochinver for a coffee leaving our intended walk in abeyance.

The new cafe ‘Delilah’ didn’t open till 12.00 so we went to An Cala on the harbour. Great excitement everywhere as a very big, very posh three masted schooner sailed into the bay this morning. After our coffee went to take a closer look. It’s called Eos - Goddess of the dawn - and apparently belongs to an American media tycoon. It was the biggest ship of it’s type when built in the naughties.  Everybody was up at the harbour end and all were abuzz. A small bus load of children were deposited to look and wave before being taken back for their lunch. Chris who had googled it was having a great time telling all and sundry what it was. 
Definitely not one of the training ships we see up here like the Wyld Swan, Christian Raddich which we’ve seen in Ullapool. 
As it was something we may never see again I made it my blip for today, always think that’s a good yard stick for choosing.

We went over to Lochinver Larder to get pies for tonight. Still in a temporary tent/outdoor stall contraption, don’t know what is taking so long to finish the Caberfeidh but it is missed. You can sit outside and have a drink if you want. The new owners have tried to combine the pub with the pie shop/cafe but it’s taking time. The pies are still as excellent as ever. Maybe that’s why the  Eos has moored in the bay!

Quick visit to Highland Stoneware and then as the weather was by now glorious we went back to Little Assynt to do our walk.
A new one found in Walk the Highlands on line. It is again one created by the Coigach and Assynt Living Landscape and a great job they have done of it. It is not far from the All abilities path but a bit more testing having a number of fairly steep climbs. Through woodland and past lochs it’s main attractions are the stunning views of Quinag and on the way back, Suilven, Canisp and even Stac Pollaidh in the distance.  It was as clear as bell by this time and pretty warm.
We met a lady three times going the other way. She was doing 6 circuits as she was preparing for the South Downs 100 in a week or two!

Before we left we became aware of a strident song. We had been listening to Willow Warblers but this was a Stonechat. He was definitely seeing us off.

Driving back we saw lots of stags at Inchnadamph. It’s awhile since we’ve seen so many there. Inchnadamph means ‘field or meadow of stags’.

Good job we had cake with our coffee as we didn’t have any lunch! Still we have those pies to look forward to.

Extra shows Quinag above Loch an t-Sabhail - don’t ask all I know is the s isn’t sounded. The little heather roofed shelter has the quotation on it, and the Stonechat is making sure we leave!

15,000 steps - it amused me today tgat Chris asked if I’d done that many steps had he done the same!