"Why there is a 'Y' in Skye!"

by Andrew Coulson

Having missed the Spring Run this year due to family commitments, been balked for the Ardennes Trip by a wedding (we were the bridal car!) we settled for a Coulson sized, modest run to the Isle of Skye.

For those with hazy geography or 'period' maps, you now have a choice of driving over the bridge at Loch Alsh or doing the decent thing and taking the ferry from Mallaig to Armadale. Having had a pleasant 390 mile run from Ripon to Glencoe on the Friday, we followed the Road to the Isles (see the website for more info.) from Fort William to Mallaig. This area is known to all Harry Potter fans — even the Hogwarts Express was filmed on the viaduct over the road!

Skye is bigger than the average Hebridean island — and we clocked up nearly 400 miles touring Trotternish, Duirinish and related areas over the next week. A compulsory (for Andrew) visit to the Talisker Distillery added to our collection of "YA's showing cask strength" pictures — and it really would have been churlish to refuse the wee dram or two we were offered.

One mechanical (rear brake locked on) and one electrical (points) stoppage occurred during the week, the former being the result of excessive potholing with 4 passengers I suspect. Hill climbs were in plenty — especially up to the Quiraing — with hairpin bends somewhat reminiscent of the Monte Carlo challenges.

Having enjoyed 5 (of 8) days of sunshine, despite the reputation which had preceded the trip, we were held back until after midday on the Saturday to start our return trip. A 'fast regularity' section was need from Sligachan to Armadale — 45 miles in 50 minutes on roads which were single track at times — brought us back to the boat which was to speed us back to mainland. From Mallaig we made excellent time through driving rain to follow Loch Lomond, skirt Glasgow and make the English Border by 19:30. Passports being checked OK — things have changed since you left Paul — we enjoyed sunset over the A66, one of the most scenic routes in the country and arrived home at 21:45.

In total, we were treated to just under 1,200 miles in the YA, two (repairable) breakdowns and some excellent hospitality on Skye — forgot to mention but Andrew was 'chalet slave' for Arlene and a group of colleagues attending a conference on Skye!

Having, since 1998, visited Islay, Jura, Arran, Cumbrai, Mull, Iona and now Skye — all in the YA, we have a sneaking suspicion that  no other Y type has visited more Scottish Islands; unless of course you know otherwise!

To enlarge the pictures, double click on them.