Taigh Ailean Hotel

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Visiting somewhere different: Canna

July 7, 2023 by katie 2 Comments

Every now and again I’m going to offer a suggestion as to somewhere else you can add onto your Highland adventure. There’s loads of places in Skye that aren’t on the usual lists and tick itineraries (you won’t find me posting them on here, but you might get the low down at breakfast if you’re staying with us!) – but here and there I’ll write about places you can go to next, or first.

I’ve wanted to go to Canna forever and it was an absolutely wonderful trip.

 

How we got there (and how we should have done.)

Book your ferry from Mallaig to Canna. You can’t take your car (unless you need it for business on the island – and there aren’t any roads to speak of anyway). We stayed in Fort William overnight. I’m not a huge fan tbh and we didn’t find anywhere nice to eat. We should have booked our accommodation earlier in order to get somewhere affordable in Mallaig. Anyway, that was us. We left the car in one of the free parking areas – amazing.

The ferry across stops at Eigg and Rum. We had the dog with us and there’s a great dog area inside as well as the deck. It took about 3 hours and the boy slept most of the way, except when we had a great Calmac breakfast.

 

Where we stayed.

There is a small B&B on the island but we opted for one of two static caravans operated by Isebail. It’s a proper home from home, super comfortable with brilliant views. She also runs the bunkhouse, bothy and campsite as well as crofting. I thought she was fabulous.

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What we ate.

We ordered the breakfast basket from Isebail, eggs, homemade bread and some gorgeous marmalade. We stocked up with that and some garlic salt from the honesty box before we left. Both nights we booked into Canna Café, which was one of the main reasons we’d chosen Canna for our first mini break of the summer. It’s really small, with lovely views from the outside seating (where we sat and had an Isle of Eigg beer before dinner.)1

The food is spectacular, quite the best seafood platter I’ve ever had, and I’ve had a few.

You’ll need to order that, and some of the other shellfish the day before because they collect it off the boat just before service. I had the same pudding both nights which is unheard of, but totally understandable.

We plan to go back as soon as we can, just for the prawn toasts. You absolutely need to book (and the cafe is not open every day, so check that too). We also grabbed a packing up for the ferry on the way back.

There is also a fantastic honesty shop with a great selection of food and souvenirs. Its also the place for wifi on the island.

 

What we did. 

We only had one full day in Canna and we spent that walking to see the puffins on the stacks. It’s not like some of the other islands where they are on your feet, the stacks are far away. But we saw loads with binoculars and some naked eye puffins too. The walk was beautiful although maybe a little too much for the dog – you need a basic level of fitness which the 12 year old chonker might be lacking.

There are coves to swim in, ancient sites to see, bays for a picnic and, when it’s open again, Canna House, which looks extraordinary – it belongs to the Scottish National Trust so grab your membership today!

Summary

We had the absolute best time in Canna. If you fancy something less touristy stop moaning about the crowds at the Fairy Pools and get yourself booked on the ferry. Why not combine it with a stop off in Rum to see the birds or Eigg (described by one ferry master as the party island). Before or after your Skye trip this will be an amazing adventure.

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: canna, CannaCafe, CannaCampsite, communityshop, ferryride, positivementalhealth, puffins, remote, remote location, Sanday, Scotland. Highlands, scottishtravel, smallisles, visitscotland

The TA Guide to Scottish Bank Notes

June 28, 2023 by katie 3 Comments

The two best things about a Scottish £5 note are that a) you can buy a quiche and two cheese scones from Elanor’s honesty porch and b) they can go through the wash repeated times, be tumble dried scrunched up in a pocket and still spring out, perfectly smooth and ready to be popped into a tip box.

I recently wrote a Facebook post about Scottish money in the hope that it might help clarify confusions. Some people are so confidently wrong about things it takes your breath away.

 

Anyway, lots of people read it and said that it was useful so I thought I’d pop it up here. I will add an edit onto the end of the piece with information that people added or asked about that I didn’t think to include – the hive mind is a great thing.

So my lovely friends. There’s been a lot of confusion in the world of the internet about money in Scotland. Let me try to help in a few easy to understand steps.
• Scotland uses pounds sterling (£) like the rest of the UK
• Notes issued in Scotland look different from those issued in England.
• English notes are accepted in Scotland provided they are in current circulation.
• All Scottish notes have a shiny, plastic finish. Any papery notes are out of date. You MIGHT be able to exchange them in a bank but they may well refuse them unless you bank with them.
• You might have trouble using Scottish notes in England (particularly the South). They are uk currency but this does not mean any retailer HAS to accept them. You can swap Scottish notes for English notes at a bank.
• There is a £100 note. This may not be accepted by smaller shops. Again they don’t HAVE to accept your money so maybe split it at a bank if you have one.
As an aside tipping in cash is appreciated (a post on tipping is coming soon). Paying in cash is always appreciated (unless a place asks specifically for cards) by small businesses as it really helps us avoid significant fees from card suppliers.
EDITS:
 American chums apparently you have to beware as some US banks are trying to slip you the old papery notes. Do not accept these. Also have a firm word with them. 😡
£1  notes: there are still some of these in circulation. Again they are UK currency but you might find they are not accepted so I’d swap them in a bank if you get them.
Some ATMS charge to withdraw cash, some don’t. If you say a sign saying FREE CASH in huge letters and ‘withdrawals’ in tiny letters that means you’re safe. But you absolutely need to check what your bank is charging. Mine is wonderful and doesn’t charge me to use an ATM in another country, other contributors suggested a REVOLUT card, I’m not going to recommend it because I have no personal experience but you might want to check it out.
Post Offices will change your money and accept out of date currency but don’t expect the amazing Eve in the dinky Carbost PO to have a grand in Scottish crispies handy to exchange for you.
Danske Bank notes from Northen Ireland are also UK currency. They look very ‘foreign’ (as it were) and you might need to be prepared to explain what they are. Again I’d recommend a swap at a bank in order to save yourself any trouble and not fluster your wait staff.
Some retail outlets and places to eat  do not accept cash at all  now. So definitely have a card in your wallet. If you use Amex bring it with you. More places than you think accept it and, let’s face it, it doesn’t take up any room.
In conclusion (like a proper year 10 essay),  check your money before you set off, have a debit/credit card that you know works in the UK and have a brilliant time. Buying local is absolutely best, tipping in cash too (another post on tipping is brewing in my mind right this minute).  You can be utterly spendalicious in Scotland or work to a strict budget and still have the best time. Fine dining at Edinbane Lodge or a swift pizza in Caberfeidh, glorious jewellery from Love from Skye or a Highland Cow fridge magnet from Tippicanoe – all memories to be treasured once you’re home.

 

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: banknotes, helpwithcurrency, heretohelp, Scotland. Highlands, scottishbanknotes, scottishtravel, shoplocal, Skye, visitscotland, visitskye

Adventures on The Misty Isle Boat Trip

April 24, 2023 by katie 2 Comments

This week the intrepid trio set off to Elgol to take a trip we’ve wanted to do for ages. Adrian at All Things Cuillin sings the praises of Seamus and his crew and we wanted to see for ourselves. We were super lucky with the weather which did help but  I can see how this would be a great day out even in mizzly conditions.

Elgol is about 1 1/2 hours drive for someone who doesn’t know the roads. When you leave the main road through Broadford there are stretches of singles track, some interesting bends in the road and some impressive potholes. But with care and a couple of deep breaths you can get there and it is 100% worth it, even if you don’t take the boat trip. You go through Torrin where the fabulous Amy’s Place café can stock you up with cakes, gifts and great coffee, and when you get to Elgol there is a bistro (check openings and make sure you book) a great shop with snacks and a seafood truck. We can definitely recommend the Elgolian, a squat lobster buttie with delicious Marie Rose sauce.

Once on the boat Seamus tells you tales of the island; how the Cuillin got their name, the origin of Drambuie, the derring do of Charles Edward Stuart and Flora MacDonald.

The story of Cuchullin

The scenery is stunning and you get a unique view of the Cuillin and the Small Isles.

The whole trip is dog friendly and if your dog has little legs then they can be carried, like Bonnie Prince Sausage himself, up the steps at the landing point at Loch Coruisk.

With the wind in my ears.....

You can opt to stay longer than the 1 hour 30 minutes and catch a later boat back to Elgol. But be aware that this is a location in the heart of the Cuillin. While there is no climbing necessary to get about the loch, there is uneven terrain, stepping stones, some impressive boggy bits (the dog could tell you all about that) and some slopey negotiations.

Paths in places b

So a basic level of fitness and some proper walking shoes or boots are a must. I’ll say the bit about the footwear again. Wear something sturdy and supportive. Really. The area just where the boat drops off gives beautiful views, so if you don’t fancy a hike it’s lovely just to sit about and look at the sea.

 

Loch Coruisk is stunning. The Gaelic Coire Uisg means cauldron of waters and this long, narrow freshwater lake was glowing the most ridiculous shade of blue on our visit.

 

Be aware there are lots of  standing lochans so take your Smidge if you go any time past May. You really feel like you’re in amongst the mountains, not comprehending how huge they are til a couple ahead of you provide a scale. The gabbro rock is grippy which does help a lot. We walked for about two miles then turned about when 3 pairs of little legs started to tire.

On the way back we were made a great cup of tea accompanied by tasty shortbread. We saw a lovely herd of seals, sunbathing like contented grey bananas but we were too early in the season to be treated to dolphins, sea eagles or even whales. We will have to go again.

You can also walk to Loch Coruisk, a challenging hike where you have to deal with the Bad Step (clue’s  in the name people). You’ll need someone else to tell you about that tho.

Thanks to all at Misty Isle Boat Trips. We highly recommend you book as far in advance as you can.

Home – Misty Isle Boat Trips

Sealladh Na Mara, Elgol, Isle Of Skye 
01471 866288

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: adventure, boattrip, cuillin, cuillinridge, dogfriendly, hiking, lochcoruisk, mistyisleboattrip, scottishadventure, scottishtravel, visitscotland, visitskye, walking in Skye

Welcome

Wouldn’t it be lovely to get away from it all to a Hebridean island where you can relax and unwind,  explore and learn or challenge yourself physically, whatever suits your holiday needs. An island where history and the 21st century combine to give you the best possible experience. The Taigh Ailean team would really like to help you get the most of your time on Skye. From insider tips about the quieter spots to helping you book a swanky lunch to celebrate life, we’re so happy to help.
You’ll find amazing breakfasts, cosy rooms and a warm welcome at the Taigh Ailean Hotel.

Please note, Munros Bar is not open this year, but we do provide recommendations for places to eat (including dog and child friendly) and offer help with reservations.

 

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  • The Fairy Pools
  • The Cuillin
  • Glen Eynort
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Taigh Ailean Hotel
Portnalong
Isle of Skye
IV47 8SL

Latest from the Blog

  • Visiting somewhere different: Canna
  • The TA Guide to Scottish Bank Notes
  • Carbost Community Shop
  • Adventures on The Misty Isle Boat Trip
  • The Talisker Experience
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