Road Trip to Ratagan via Plockton

We aimed to get out of the house by 9.30 this morning but it was around 10 before we got going.  Cameron had to be packed up for his two nights away with the Explorers at the Ratagan Youth Hostel situated on the banks of Loch Duich.  More stunning views from the car, and the weather was perfect.  There was a few annoying camper vans that don't follow the police signs that say pull over and let folks pass on the passing places.  Single track roads with these large beasts of camper vans are a bit frustrating (for me) at times, some stop but others don't.  There were a few mental motor bikers too taking risks with corners trying to get past the big camper vans..  

We arrived at Plockton, a real jewel of a place set on Loch Carron with palm trees along the shore.  It is so picturesque.  We found a picnic area to have our rolls and a drink and found a superb place that sold whisky and coffee! The lady working there was great and we had a good old chat with her.  She used to work in Ramsay at the whisky place and didn't have a good word to say about the owner, who also owns half the island !  Headed down to the pier and watched the little boat come in with its catch of langoustines.  The fisherman sold them on the pier, to the hotel and anyone else that wanted to buy them. 

We walked back to the car and stopped off at the shop near the car park for ice cream which was from Stewart Tower Diaries up the road at Bankfoot!

Next on our stop after this was at Eilean Donan Castle which this photo is from.  A guy came up and asked us if we wanted our photo taken and he did a great job!  Of the iPhone generation!  We then headed over to walk up to the Clan MacRae monument which overlooks Loch Duich and the mountains on the other side.  What a view.

By this time it was 5 o'clock and the rest of the Explorers were arriving in two mini buses to the youth hostel around this time so we drove the short distance there.  What a place for a youth hotel to be situated.  Right on the loch side where seals and dolphins swim.... It was flat calm and felt like going out on the paddle board.  The Explorers arrived and we had a chat with Stephen and the manager of the youth hostel then set off on our two hour journey back to Ross House.  It felt weird Cameron not with us.

We had a tea of what was in the fridge and lazed around.  Missed Cameron there!