Midgies were still aplenty this morning yet the sun shone over Beinn Eighe. Slightly pessimistic about “wild camping” we tracked down something to do – visit Eilean Donan Castle (traced from a picture in the pub). We decided that, from there we would come up with a plan. Temptingly close to Skye we considered going to our first brewery…

Eilean Donan Castle, situated where three sea lochs meet, is a beautifully restored castle which was originally built in the 13th century. Cited as the most photographed castle in Scotland (really? The capital’s monstrosity which hosts the Military Tattoo doesn’t trump it?) us still owned by the Macrae family who bought the ruin in the early 20th century. Family photos and memorabilia adorned several rooms and it really made me think of how much fun the children would have had playing on the battlements and around the island. We weren’t able to park in the car park, due to the high number of motorhomes in the area that day – although there is adequate parking available. Instead, we continued 500m up the road, away from Dornie, and parked in a large parking bay. This was big enough for three motorhomes and several cars, leaving us to make a short walk down the road to the castle. Well worth it.

So, our decision about where to sleep…Skye, at the side of the road, on the way to Applecross, on a beach? No, we headed 9 minutes from the castle to Morvich Caravan Club Site – at the foot of Kintail Mountain. Despite clear signs for midge nets and the nearby river, it was amazingly midge free. Again, the scenery was spectacular although I wonder if Colin is ceasing to find the huge imposing mountains intriguing.

After setting up, bedding down and a refreshment or two, we decided to go for a walk before dinner. There was very little nearby and we meandered along a road via sparsely populated copy and paste villages before arriving at “Jac’o’bite” and the A862.

With rapidly approaching cloud, we decided to turn back. Thankfully, as after just a few minutes, we saw two RAF Typhoon fighters flying through the valley. They were incredibly loud! It was amazing how they rapidly change directions to navigate the glens and peaks. Seeing these made our last minute decision to stay at Morvich worthwhile: it is not often that you see planes so low and so agile.

Refreshed, we arrived back to the site before the rain started to pour. Our full roast dinner sated our appetites and it wasn’t long before we retired to bed. This time it rained loudly, heavily and continuously all night long…