White beaches

Hot, hot, hot today, yesterday’s wind dropped and the sun continued to shine beautifully from the very start.

We headed back on the  ‘Wee Mad Road’ which is scenically stunning but there are one or two stretches that are stressful for the driver. Coffee again at Al Cala where we discovered they catered for GF which might be useful for the family when they come. We then headed up the Assynt coast where there are several wonderful white beaches. ( See my blip from exactly a year ago of Oldshoremore beach a bit further north)

We most often go to Achmelvic beach but here is Clachtol beach which is a little smaller where we stopped for a wander and then a walk over to Clachtol Broch, one of the best preserved on the mainland.  We have seen one of the very best, Dun Carloway on the Isle of Lewis. A Broch is a posh Iron Age fort for want of a better description.  A bit of breeze along the coast was very pleasing and we returned via Stoer Beach and the road.

As we moved further away from the beaches the distant hills became more visible as you can see in the extra. In the foreground is a salmon bothy with huge poles for the drying of nets, it seemed to be appreciated by the sheep.

No packed picnic today as we drove via the faster main route down to Ullapool, passing deer in the River Inver again and a group today at Inchnadamph. Always the area to see them.
We went first to the Ceilidh Place, a very busy summery atmosphere with all the outdoor tables full, for a drink and a browse of the book shop but our ultimate aim was to get fish and chips from Deli-ca-Sea and eat them over looking the harbour. Stayed long enough to watch the Loch Seaforth ferry set off up the Minch for its evening sail to Stornaway, Isle of Lewis.

Back now for a relaxed penultimate evening. How did that happen? It seems an age since we left home for Arran but by the same token this week has flown by.

Chatting with an American visitor near the Broch and Stoer beach he said he couldn't believe he wasn’t looking at the Mediterranean!