Mallaig

Wednesday Oct 5 

The Met. Office yellow warning forecast,  of potentially destructive winds and heavy rain, meant that we didn't put the moth trap out. It never happened.  We got up to a light wind and some light rain. Time to take a chance, we went out late morning, driving north to Mallaig. 

 Tourist map

 

 

Mallaig is where the Dalilea children go to High School, band practice etc. There are four of them, three of High School age. The boy plays the snare drums for a pipe band and the girls, keyboard and guitar respectively. I haven't heard them practice, although we pass the estate house daily.

 

A small group of Siskin  flew along the drive as we left, the first we've seen. Turning right at the top of the drive for the first time, we found a surprisingly good road. Almost immediately, it became a two lane highway. Bliss. 

We made one loch-side stop, opposite two very attractive stone cottages whose chicken run was beside us. That had attracted a cloud of House Sparrows and a Robin. Further out, we could see a few Curlew, Grey Heron, and Shags. Staple birding fare.

Even better driving when we joined the Fort William - Mallaig road, the main road to Skye. Although there has been a bridge for some years, the ferry still runs. We found a parking place and watched one come in. 

 

The first time I visited Skye, in the early 60s, the ferry was the only way of crossing - whilst singing:

Speed, bonnie boat, like a bird on the wing,
Onward! the sailors cry;
Carry the lad that's born to be king

Over the sea to Skye.

Not mandatory. It's always an ear worm for me though.

On the way back, we stopped to investigate a roadside cairn and information boards, set in a small lay-by.. The whole area is known as Moidart.

 

 

 These are the remains of two of the original trees.

 

 Still raining.......... We managed to see a Buzzard and the first Rooks for some time.  

The daily pig check. Let sleeping pigs lie.