The King over the Sea: Part 8

 

"Go to work on an egg", that 60's advertising slogan. Yesterday Friday we went to Eigg via the Isles of Skye. 

In the morning for the fit, foolhardy, or fanciful there was a three-hour hike around Sky's freshwater Loch Coruisk. Others took to Zodiacs to explore some of Loch Scavaig. The freshwater Loch is separated from thr sea Loch by a narrow strip of land, and there's a shelter just in case you find yourself wrecked - it can get pretty rough. 

It was the usual routine: loud announcements (in English, German and French - no significance in that order) telling you to put on your life jacket (by now I’d managed all the combinations of not correctly dressing). We scurry down to deck 3 and the landing pit, stand in line before being helped onto the Zodiac. 

It was, of course, another super sunny clear day (yawn) and I’d said “Good morning” thro’ gritted teeth to half my fellow trappies  passengers and most of the crew whose unstinting cheerfulness can start to pall. The really annoying thing is the Captain's early morning "Weather Report" as he states the obvious.

Frankly Loch Scavaig's a bore. Lots of water surrounded by lots of rocks coloured green. But then we spotted seals. Another sentient creature! We almost capsized the Zodiac in our excitement. 

After that it was downhill all the way. My attempts to video a group of pup seals frolicking in the water - so sweet - were scuppered by my ineptitude and my fellow guests blocking my view as they tried to capture the same charming event! Thankfully, the Zodiac driver got bored and we headed back to the boat in time for lunch. I swear if the ship were to sink at mealtime it would go down with all hands as we continued to nosh as the cold Atlantic kissed our lips.

Having lunch meant we didn't notice the slow journey to remote Eigg..."home to incredible wildlife. You might spot Golden and White - Tailed Eagles, stonechats, seals, dolphins and porpoises..." They might as well have added The Loch Ness monster, Hippogriffs and Harpies for all we saw there.

It is a pretty place. Not as tidy as others - lots of what appeared to be abandoned 1990's cars, farm equipment and oil drums. That is at least a sign of a lively community. It has its own power company! 

I joined a lovely French couple as we did a circular walk up to a farm or two, through a semi- tropical wood ending up at the jetty cafe for a can of Irn- Bru. The bearded Scotsman who served me said I'd be changed man after drinking it. I must report no such transformation!

On our walk we were overtaken by a young woman running. As we continued on our walk she returned in a road buggy with a sheepdog. "Are you from the Big Ship?" she asked. When we said "Yes", she followed up with "How many on board?" When we told her her eyes lit up and she smiled broadly, wished us well and was on her way. I reckon she owned the cafe on the jetty and was calculating the profit from us interlopers.

A few shots from our short walk on Eigg. Tomorrow it's Tobermory on the Isle of Mull.