HARRIS & LEWIS

Having woken up in Plockton, we catch the train to Strathcarron. Here's the station when it had two signal boxes. 

In later years, Scotrail class 158 units ran the service.

Leaving the railway behind, we venture across country, to the port of Ullapool.

There's a small fishing fleet in Ullapool.

This is downtown Ullapool.

Highland Omnibuses served Ullapool.

Newtons of Dingwall ran the direct service from Inverness.

We take a ferry across The Minch to Harris and the terminal at Tarbert (the third Tarbert we've visited so far!).

Here's a earlier view.

On arrival we have a choice of transport:

North to Lewis (it's all one island) and to the capital, Stornoway, seen from Cuddy Point (Creative Commons License).

Various vessels can be found in Stornoway Harbour.

There used to be a selection of bus operators servng Stornoway. MacIvers was one of them.

Lochs Motor Transport had an interesting, if weather-beaten, fleet.

MacDonald of Back had a few Bedfords too.

Mrs McKay ran this minibus.

Gason Motors used old coaches and now has a modern fleet.

Bus na Comhairle, owned by the local councl, run some routes.

There was a brewery in Stornoway, Hebridean Brewing Company. 

Crookham Travel paid a visit in 2003. Hebridean Brewery ceased trading in 2019. More info here.

The Whaler's Rest was a place to sample the beers. The pub has since changed its name and does not serve real ale.

Right, that's it for Lewis & Harris. We'll take the BA 'plane to our next destination. Find out where in the next post. Meanwhile, see where we've been here.

OVER THE SEA TO SKYE

From Inverie we head across the water to the Isle of Skye, arriving at Armadale just as the CaMac ferry Pioneer comes in. 

North, along the eastern side of Skye, with views up Loch Hourn, on the mainland.

Now we yomp across Skye to Waternish, where we have a pint in the Stein Inn, the oldest on the island.

Next stop, the tiny village of Uig.

Uig is home to The Isle of Skye Brewing Company.

We're greeted by the brewery cat, then head for the bar!

On the other side of the island is Kilt Rock. You can see how it got its name!

Portree is the island's capital. Here's the harbour.

Highland Ominbuses was the main bus operator on Skye, later becoming part of Rapsons. These views taken in Portree.

Skyeways, AKA Clan Coaches, ran a regular service to the mainland, using some nice AEC coaches. Here's TME134M awiting departure in Portree, 1998.

Another operator in Portree, Nicolson of Borve.

The Royal Mail used this estate car as a postbus in Portree in 2003.

Heading south, we come to Sligachan, with lovely views up the glen to the Cuillins.

Here's the old bridge at Sligachan.

There's also the Sligachan Hotel, which brews its own beer.

Skyeways' service to Kyle of Lochalsh served Sligachan. A modern Mercedes is seen here.

Further towards Kyle is Broadford, with another coach of Skyeways.

The ferries from Kyleakin to the mainland at Kyle of Lochalsh have been replaced by a new bridge. Here's a couple of postcard photos of the ferries.

The new bridge.

More water borne transport at Kyle of Lochalsh.

Looking back to Skye.

Kyle of Lochalsh is the terminus of a long branch from Dingwall. Highland Railway 4-4-0 No. 85 is seen in the station.

Kyle of Lochalsh engine shed in LMS days.

26040 here in 1979.

156446 on a passenger duty in 1998.

Long before the new bridge was built, Clan Coaches ran schools services in Kyle of Lochalsh.

Highland Country also ran services around Kyle of Lochalsh.

Some tourists had arrived on this Midland coach in 1979.

We take the train for the short jurney to Plockton.

The station yard was once used by Clan Coaches as an outstation.

Plockton has its own micro climate, hence the palm trees on Harbour Street. (Creative Commons License - Wojsyl)

Time now for some Plockton Ales. Firstly in the Plockton Inn.

We move on to the Plockton Hotel for beer and a rest.

That's it for now. The next post will see us crossing more water. Follow the map here.