Before crossing the bridge into the Isle of Skye, we stopped at a a photogenic island castle that is quite popular with visitors, in other words, a tourist trap.

The Eilean Dolan Castle. This was the headquarters of Clan MacKenzie. It was strategically located on its own island, overlooking the Isle of Skye where the sea loch meets an inland loch.

It was drizzling when we stopped at the overlook to the castle. Like almost everywhere, there were machines for paid parking. And like almost everywhere, we took our chances and did not pay.

We drove through torrential rain after arriving on Skye. Luckily the skies cleared as we went downtown in Portree to have dinner near the port. We chose to visit Skye not only because it is one of the most beautiful places in all of Scotland, but because our MacNeil ancestors hailed from the isle of Skye. According to Eleanor Coates, my grandmother, her father had told her that our ancestors came from Skye and not from the Isle of Barra, which we visited last year.

Kasen and Joe at the harbor overlook in Portree.

Omi before choosing a restaurant for dinner

Skye rainbows greeted us this evening at dinner time.

That night we and the next morning we took advantage of sunshine and enjoyed a lovely hikes.

The overlook near our rental house

The hike that morning in Skye was one of the best Kasen has experienced.

360 degree expansive views from the top of the hill

The view from our window. Scenic, something out of a movie or a Tolkien book.

Although our trip was bracked by rain showers, we got lucky with the timing of our walks.