Pond Jumper

All the way down the drive - nothing but mossy trees and daffodils. I’m in heaven! Oh, wait! It’s BRIAN’S birthday - I made sure he had a great time.

Even after making both a breakfast and a lunch picnic, and leaving at 4:30 in the morning, it still took us 12 hours to drive to the northern tip of Skye. Whew! The scenery along the way was so beautiful - we just had to stop and take pictures. You’ll see.

THE FLODIGARRY COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL - GREAT PLACE!

My phone takes fuzzy pictures indoors, and I do apologize. Outdoors it’s another matter all together, and we use the good camera, as well.

In 1746, at the age of 24, Flora McDonald helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape after his defeat at the battle of Culloden. The prince was disguised as Betty Burke, her maid. Flora was imprisoned in the Tower of London until amnesty was given.

She settled in Skye, and her home (below), is one of the guest houses at Flordigarry Country House Hotel. The main house was the home of one of her descendants and although they were both converted to the hotel not long ago the history can be seen in every room.

I love the history behind the hotel, and it reminds us of Cumberland Island, where we were married. The hotel itself is gentile, immaculate, and spacious, while outside it’s wild and tempestuous. We wore our hiking boots by day but dressed for dinner in the evenings.

Birthday Boy! We’re on our way to the lovely dining room on our first night. The mussel chowder was wonderful.  Brian had the Scottish Salmon, and I favored the lovely Langoustine (small lobster) . 

In our room along side the tea pot we found melt in your mouth, traditional biscuits (cookies), and they appear on the menu coupled with the sticky toffee pudding (cake like heaven) or other delightful puddings (most desserts are called puddings). The cookies tasted remarkably like thin, crispy snicker-doodles. Brian had never heard of our American look-a-like, so I’ve got to find the recipe. They are perfect for tea, but certainly, and only occasionally because, as we all know, they are addictive.

On Saturday night, Birthday Party Night, we ate in the more relaxed pub section of the hotel. People from the hotel and some locals came and went in a happy, festive atmosphere.

I called the hotel and ordered a birthday cake in order to surprise Brian. The hotel staffers were very helpful in keeping my secret, and after dinner came out with candles lit. We were shocked at it’s beauty and size, but it didn’t go to waste. The other revelers (about 20) seemed such a happy group that I announced Brian’s birthday to them all and asked them to help us celebrate with a piece of cake for each.

It was perfect, as each table had someone in their party that was celebrating a birthday, too! How crazy is that?! Everyone was so friendly we all broke into spontaneous applause. I had to take their picture, and they all yelled, “Cheers!”

It’s named for the pleats in the rocks that look like folds of the kilt. This wonderful waterfall comes out of a loch and bursts down the cliff to the sea - and it’s just down the road from our hotel.

I finally figured out how to successfully load these big videos - I put them on You Tube, and then copy the url….so simple, who knew?!