Tuesday 13 September - stuck in Mallaig

After a comfortable night at the backpackers' hostel we woke early intending to catch the 08:10 sailing to Armadale - this was not to be. The rain continues unabated, the wind is even stronger than yesterday and CalMac are to make a decision on whether to sail at lunchtime.  Other options were considered but the prospect of a 120 mile cycle to Kyle of Lochalsh or taking the train there via Fort William, Glasgow and Inverness did not appeal!!

As the hostel didn't do breakfast and nowhere else was open we went up the road to an hotel where we were made very welcome and had a nice, if expensive, breakfast.

Not much to do in a wet and windy Mallaig , so after another coffee we headed for the library to do some blogging and e-mailing.

The ferry eventually sailed, getting us to Armadale at 2:30 pm.  Some more re-arranging of accommodation with the assistance of Mr Rattray and we were again on our way through Skye with the weather improving all the time.  We stopped off for refreshments at Broadford and later took the old road with almost no traffic by the side of Loch Ainort (adding a few extra miles but avoiding the long climb over the top)  getting to the backpackers' hostel at Sligachan at about 7:00 pm.  In the still of the evening we were greeted by the Skye branch of the midge clan - our first encounter since leaving home over two weeks ago!!!!

The hostel was a bit more basic than others but the pub was busy with locals and tourists giving me further opportunity to relieve them of their cash for the Linda Norgrove Foundation.  After an excellent evening we were about to head off to bed when the chef, Richard, who was standing at the bar (and a little the worse for wear) thrust a couple of notes into my hand.  Thinking they were a couple of fivers I thanked him but on getting outside found that the sum was considerably more!!!  Thank you, Richard, for your generosity.