Day 19 – To Loch Coroy

Just off B885 above Skeabost

Friday 14th May

I wanted to bike around the Glenbrittle Forest Loop today, which back in 2017 Sinead and I had run, in opposite directions. It’s forest tracks, so ideal for me and the dog. But 3 miles in my gear shifter jammed. I tried a few things, but couldn’t get it loose.

Since my trip biking through Skye, from Uig to Mallaig returning from the Outer Isles, Island Bikes in Portree has closed down. I may have been unlucky with the shifter, but lucky in that the Bike Shack in Skeabost was open until 1 pm, and it was ten minutes before. The owner, Mark, was extremely helpful, and stayed open to get me sorted. We had a good chat also, about his efforts to raise the profile of biking on the island, and his ambition to get an off road route down the length of Skye.

The latter part of the day was based around this being the opening day of The Old Inn in Carbost. Officially it is Monday, but for locals today, and after a rainy dog walk on Monday, I met a guy, and got an invite.

I have great memories of this place. I first came here more than 25 years ago. On Fridays after the week’s shift workers at the Distillery would finish with their pay, and a bottle. They would come over to the pub, and after a couple, the bottle would get opened, and often shared. It has remained a great pub also, really welcoming, roaring fire on a cold night, and live Gaelic music. This afternoon it was all outdoors, so not quite the same, but really good chatting with the locals, and the dog had a great time socialising with a few other dogs on the beach.