Two burst tyres and a day tour of Skye

We offer self catering accommodation in Treaslane, Isle of Skye, 9 miles from Portree. From time to time, if requested, we offer a one-day tour of Skye to our guests. I become a driver of our 4x4 Toyota, and a guide, and wear a special hat!  Yesterday, I took our guests on a day tour of Skye.

A view from Quiraing

So, what about burst tyres (tires for those from the US)? Our delightful guests, Bill and Lyla (from the US), and Volker and Evelyn (from Germany) managed to burst two tyres (!) on their way to Skye. This was not because of their lack of driving skills but because of road conditions on Highlands, and of course, for them, they they were driving on the wrong side of the road: on the left. The first a tyre burst, they were in Inverness and managed to find Quick Fit and replaced the tyre. The second time, I believe they were not far from Skye and managed to fit a temporary tyre and got to our place in the evening. They asked for us help. Next morning, a quick call to Ewen Macrae West End Garage Ltd, Portree (highly recommended!) did the trick. We took their hired car to this garage and after the day's tour we collected the car with a new tire/tyre! The guests had a sigh of relief!

Our day tour, on a day with rain and some sunshine, consisted of:

- Portree Square and the harbour
- Old Man of Storr
- Kilt Rock water Falls
- Staffin Bay
- Quiraing
- Uig Village Centre
- Uig Hotel for lunch (excellent lunch, thank you Billy!)...Highly recommended!
- Dunvegan Castle
- Back to Portree (for the guests to collect their car)

Here are some of the photos: 

Kilt Rock Water Falls
A sea cliff in north east Trotternish. It resembles a kilt, with vertical columns to form the pleats and intruded sills of dolerite rock forming the pattern.

View from Kilt Rock

Our guests who went away as friends. They are, from the left...Volker,
Evelyn, Lyla and Bill.

A view, near Uig

Near Uig

A view from Uig Hotel

A view from Uig Hotel
Overlooking Uig Tower. In the past it was used to collect rent from
tenants who were residents on the land.

Uig Hotel, highly recommended for lunch, dinner and accommodation.
Meet Billy, a friendly Owner/Manager.


Next stop: Dunvegan Castle

If you are with a family, buy a family ticket. it is cheaper!

My efficient Toyota 4x4 and a bit of pubicity.

MacLeod Cafe in the car park of the castle. ideal for refreshments

and a bite to eat 

A boat trip from the castle if you have time

Did you know?

- The descendants of MacLeod clan still live in Dunvegan castle from time to time. The head of MacLeod clan, Hugh MacLeod, speaks with a perfect English public school accent.

- "Along with Edinburgh and Loch Ness, Skye is one of Scotland’s top-three tourist destinations." - Lonley Planet Guide 

Harish Davda - harish.davda@hotmail.co.uk

Vegetable curry with Soya

When you ask anyone in the UK what their favourite dish is, the answer is likely to be ‘Curry’. Late Robin Cook, in 2001, then British Foreign Secretary, referred to Chicken Tikka Masala as the national dish of Britain. Most vegetarians are likely to say that their favourite dish is Vegetable Curry!

Spices.
Photo by Dom Davda

Ingredients/vegetables
Photo by Dom Davda

As a vegetarian, I learnt to cook at university. My mother taught me how to cook curry. I became popular with my friends when I invited them for curry. I provided curry and they brought booze, mainly cheap beer, with them! This was ideal for me as I didn't have much money to buy beer. Vegetables, spices and herbs were inexpensive.

The other day, instead of using tofu, I used, dry Soya chunks, available from most supermarkets and quality grocery stores and health food stores. As I understand it, Soya, about 30 grams per person provides sufficient protein for vegetarians.

The ingredients I used were:

Spices/herbs: Turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, salt, garlic, green ginger, curry leaves.

Vegetables: Aubergine, mushrooms, green pepper, potatoes, green chillies, onions.

Dices vegetables, green chillies, pepper, onions, ginger,
garlic and curry leaves.

Soya being cooked

Soya and vegetables being cooked.

Ready to be served - garnished with fresh coriander and lemon juice.
Great to have salad as a side dish.
Photo by Dom Davda

Serve the curry with rice and or Pitta bread.
Photo by Dom davda

My family loved this curry dish. If you would like a recipe, contact me.

Dom Davda works as a photographer and is happy to take on photography assignments. He can be reached on blog.davda.me or on +447533739103.

Harish Davda

+447802485608

A walk near the Cullins, Isle of Skye

I belong to a local walkers' group, SIU, in Isle of Skye, and enjoy walking with the members on Friday afternoon when I'm free. The walk is usually led by my good friend, John Kennedy.
Yesterday, I joined the group and my son, Dom, also walked with us.

The Black Cullins, with mist.

The Old Sligachan Bridge and River Sligachan

We walked in Sligachan, near the Cullins, a range of mountains. It was a lovely day, cloudy, and as soon as we started walking, it started to rain. It rained right up to the end for about 2 hours. In spite of the weather, the views were stunning. If you live on Skye or are visiting Skye, you have to be prepared with walking shoes and waterproof clothing. The views, whatever the weather, are stunning as posted below. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to use my Canon camera due to wet weather. I used my Samsung S6 Edge smart phone and did as good a job as possible. 

Wonderful Black Cullins

The Highlands will never run out of water

Another view of the Old Sligachan Bridge with River Slighan
 running underneath it. A camping site is in the background

Sligachan Hotel in the background, the home of Cullins Micro brewery.
Try their wonderful beer, if you are not driving!

Another view of the Cullins

For things to do in and around Sligachan, follow the link below...
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g551888-Activities-Sligachan_Isle_of_Skye_The_Hebrides_Scotland.html

Did you know that according to a legend, a strong female warrior in Sligachan had defeated many warriors in the area. A strong Irish warrior, a man, heard about it. He wanted to fight with the female warrior. She accepted the challenge. Within few days, the Irish warrior arrived in Sligachan. Both the warriors fought for a long time. The daughter of the female warrior wanted them to stop fighting. She asked the fairies in River Sligachan to help. The fairies went to Portree bought aromatic ingredients, went to the female warriors house and cooked a delicious meal. The two warriors smelt delicious food, went to the female warrior's house and enjoyed the meal. After the meal, they didn't want to fight. Since then, according to Celtic hospitality, you don't fight, ever, with someone who has hosted you!

Watch the space for more blogs on Isle of Skye, the island which adopted me and my family three years ago!

Harish Davda

harish.davda@gmail.com

Isle of Skye Highland Games

This was my second visit to Isle of Skye Highland Games on 9 August 2018 in Portree, Isle of Skye. I went with my son, Dom. It was his first experience. We saw amazing skills of strength, dancing and music. The sound of award winning Isle of Skye pipe band was out of this world. 

Talking about music, we met Tilly, her brother and her wonderful mum, Pauline. Tilly (in the pic below) was playing a wonderful tune on her violin. She is definitely a great musician in the making and will put herself and Skye on the map!

Tilly playing violin
Photo by Dom Davda

Entrance to the games, to the Lump.

A selection of stalls. I hope they did well.

Great view from the Lump where the Games were held

A local whisky distillery displaying single malt whisky

I was tempted to try whisky but was driving...pity!

Toys. Children spoilt for choice...

Amazing competitions. 

The games included Throwing the Hammer, Throwing 28lb and 56lb (distance), High Jump, Putting the Stone (heavy and light), Ladies Two-lap and Eight-lap race, Hop, step and Leap Race, Hill Race, Tossing the Caber.
The event also included various dancing displays, piping competition. Pipers were from Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, France and the USA.

More games...

Isle of Skye Pipe Band....amazing music.

Spectators of all ages enjoying the games.

Nothing for me, a vegetarian, except chips. Not good
 for my waistline :-). I will request more Vege food next year.

A great stall offering Fair-trade coffee.

For those needing help....

A demonstration....on saving lives.

We met a dog (and his owner), the dog enjoying the pipe band...and
 in a meditative state!

Dancing to wonderful piping music!

Met up with my friend Steve who was a stewart at the event.
A great community oriented resident of Skye.

A wonderful display of dancing

More dancing...

Amazing dancing skills, and maintaining the tradition.

Temporary showers. Colourful umbrellas went up in minutes!

A friendly chap giving us info on other events. Thank you!

A wonderful day out!

 A bit of history 
(Source: https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=history+of+highland+games&rlz)

In Scotland, Heavy Athletics Events were already being held at least 1,000 years ago! Historians believe that some of the Heavy Events originated during Druid times. 

It's said the Highland Games originate from Ireland in 2000 BC and that they crossed the water to Scotland with the fourth and fifth century migrations of the Scotti into Dalriada (Argyll) and beyond.

More blogs on the way on Skye, and other topics including photography, Travel, Enneagram and food!
Do visit regularly, and I would love to hear your comments!

Harish Davda

harish.davda@hotmail.co.uk