In April, my mum (muv) and I went to Scotland with my dad (puv) and his friend (Al). We took the Caledonian Sleeper to Mallaig, departing King’s Cross at about 9pm. We had some food and drinks in the dining car and then went to bed. With the movement and noise of the train, we barely slept, so got up at about 6 (fitbit said I had 1.5 hour sleep!!!) to a beautiful pink sunrise. We went and sat in the dining car to watch the views, soooo stunning!! I had never really been anywhere with scenery like this before, going in and out of snowy mountains and valleys that looked like we were on the moon. We changed at Fort William for a couple hours before our next train to Mallaig, where me n muv checked into our room. Puv and Al were going off to camp on Skye. After they left, we didn’t really manage to do much cos we were exhausted - but did manage a drawing from the bedroom window.
day 1 (proper) - we got the morning ferry to Skye and got breakfast at the Stable’s cafe. A very friendly robin was eating from my hand. We then started a circular trail, going up into LUSH mossy juicy forest, then up to a beautiful view back to the mainland (where meanwhile, Puv had sprained his ankle up a mountain in the snow and had to scoot down the whole way on his bum, cancelling the rest of his weeks hiking plans!!). We came down past lots of cute cows and sheep and their lovely bebé’s (moira rose voice). (((Shame them lambs are gonna be easter lunch!!!!))) We stopped on a beach to draw, I tried out a bigger sketchbook which was fun. We quickly went to have a crispy cold coke at a pub with yet another amazing view before getting the ferry back.
day 2 - knoydart!!! we went on a rescue mission on the ferry to Knoydart with a bag of ice for puv’s ankle. We got there and went to a cute cafe for a breakfast bap (tattie scone + egg) and I did a drawing there. Al had gone off on another hike, so we then just went and sat in the pub (The Old Forge) cos obvs puv can’t walk much. Luckily, like everywhere here, the view was beautiful so it was lovely to chill there. We then hobbled to puv and Al’s campsite on the beach - I want to come back here sooo badly! There was even a lil sauna down one end. Al lit a fire and made hot chocolates and tea for us whilst puv iced his very swollen ankle. We went back to The Old Forge for dinner and I bought a Knoydart t-shirt from the little post office gift shop. I LOVE KNOYDART!!!!
day 3 - the rain has finally come! we decided not to get a ferry anywhere today cos the weather wasn’t great, so we got the train back a stop to Morar. We found a really quiet spot down by the water to draw. I forced myself to use some soft pastels that I’d brought but not used yet, which suited the foggy/hazy views. I ran out of flask tea and then we realised we were freeeezing so we went for a walk, but got caught in the rain. We sheltered in a church on the side of a loch. The priest came and told us off for leaving the door open and told us that a pine marten got in and attacked him recently. Admired all the lovely stained glass in the church before continuing on with our very wet walk. It was still so atmospheric though! We finally got back to the station and hid in a very dated Fawlty Towers like hotel and had a cup of tea whilst waiting for the next train back to Mallaig. Got straight into bed to warm up when we got back. By the evening the sun had came out again so we went for a lovely walk around the Mallaig circular trail.
day 4 - final day nooooooo! We decided to go to Glenfinnan viaduct as it was on the route back to Fort William where we had to get the sleeper train from. The Bakehouse in Mallaig was finally open today so went there for breakfast, sat outside on the sunny decking and had a lovely coffee and chose 3 pastries to share cos it all looked too nice. It was vvv good! We got the train to Glenfinnan and stopped in another church overlooking Loch Shiel as Al said it was where his brother got married. It was a very pretty view with all the daffs in bloom. We got the viaduct and it was rammed with tour buses and so many people - got used to lovely quiet walks so this was weird! Also a gift shop selling harry potter tat. Quickly went off the trail to do some drawing underneath the viaduct - idk why we chose this cos it was so difficult and massive to draw. We then did the hike up around Loch Shiel which was stunning and all sparkly in the sunlight, ending at Glenfinnan station dining car for lunch and cake, surrounded by cute birds. Popped into the museum to read about how the viaduct was made, then it was time to get on the train puv and Al were on to our sleeper. Quick dinner at spoons then the fairytale trip was over!!! :-(
