Isle of Man August 2014

We left Liverpool on Thursday 14th August on the Steam Packet Catamaran Manannan.  On arriving into Douglas we drove to Laxey where we were camping at the Quarry Road Campsite - a fantastically friendly site with spotless facilities and John the very friendly and helpful warden. A short walk took us to the Laxey Wheel - well worth a visit!

Friday 15th August  - First stop was the Bungalow with a walk up the only mountain on the island Snaefell.

I am not sure what they feed their native Manx loaghtan sheep here but they are enormous!

We then took the camper around the TT circuit - no speed records for us though.  We then drove to Peel, visited one of the best beaches on the island through a small crack in the cliffs at Niarbyl and had chips overlooking the beach at Port Erin watching the motorbikes and quadbikes racing on the beach.

On Saturday 16th August we headed back over to Peel and then on to Port Erin to walk to Milners Tower, which you could climb up with fantastic views from the top.

Next stop was the railway to see the Island at War themed activities with old cars and everyone dressed up.  Next stop was the seal watching on the Sound overlooking the Calf of Man.

Next stop was the bathtub racing at Castletown - not the most seaworthy vessels!  The final stop of the day was the Fairy Bridge - a surprisingly emotional place to visit.
On Sunday 17th August we headed out to Glen Mooar to see Spooyt Vane.  Then it was on to Jurby to the transport museum and Junk shop.  Next stop was the Ayres visitor centre on a very windy day, followed by lighthouse spotting on a very windy point of Ayre.  Home via Ramsey and King Orry's Grave.
Monday 18th August started with a visit to Port Cornaa Bay and a walk around Maughold Head before a visit to Dhoon Glen.  Then it was an evening at Creg ny Baa watching the Manx Grand Prix practices - fab!

On Tuesday 19th August we visited Garwick Glen before dropping into Douglas to visit the museum.  We finally managed to track down the 'Real' Fairy bridge before watching the Grand Prix at Ballacraine.  Then it was on to Peel to see the sunset and have a yummy ice cream.

Wednesday 20th August was our last full day on the Island.  First stop was Clay Head followed by a visit to the Horses Home.  Next stop was lunch at Castletown and a walk to Scarlett.  Then it was onto the Viking ship burial at Balladoole and the Chasms by Port St Mary.  Last stop of the day was the Mann cat sanctuary - a surreal place with sooooo many cats, with and without tails!  Our final evening was spent watching the Grand Prix at the Start/finish line at Douglas and a visit to see the lights at Summerhill Glen.

Thursday 21st August we went back across the choppy sea back to Liverpool after our great visit to such a fantastic island.

Eigg, Small Isles July/August 2014

A long trip North.  Our first night was spent visiting family in Rochdale.  Then on to Edinburgh for our second night stop again visiting family.  We had a lovely dog walk to Mavis Bank House and also saw the rest of the Lewis Chess Men at The National Museum of Scotland.
The next day we visited the Falkirk Wheel andThe Wallace Monument in Sterling before a lovely drive through Clencoe on the way to Mallaig.  We spent the evening in the carpark overlooking the Small Isles and Skye.
The next morning we caught the 7.30 am ferry which called in at Rhum, Canna, Muck and finally Eigg.  The island taxi took our bags to our bothy at Cleadale whilst we cycled the lumpy bumpy, uppy downy road.  The one roomed bothy was lovely and cosy, just what we needed for our stay on Eigg.

We walked down to Laig bay for an evening walk.
The next day we walked up the ridge to Beinn Bhuidhe.  Lovely views of Rhum and Skye from the top.

On Monday after having Eggs on Eigg we cycled back to the port and had a yummy lunch at the community Hall.  We then visited the Massacre Cave, Catherdral Cave, Pipers Cairn and the wind turbines.

On Tuesday we walked up An Sgurr.  Lovely views over Muck, Adrnamurchan, Coll, Tiree and Mull.  We saw a golden Eagle on the walk back down.

On Wednesday we visited Kildonan graveyard and then we walked along the coast to the ferry port. We caught the Shearwater boat to Muck, seeing Minke Whales, dolphins, seals and basking sharks on the way.  On Muck we walked up Beinn Airein and visited the beach.

Thursday was our last full day on the Island. We visited the Pictish stone in St Donnan Roman Catholic church.  We went on Laig Bay and watched a seal in the water.  We went back to the bothy for lunch before visiting the singing sands that squeak when you walk on them.  We were lucky enough to see an otter come on to beach whilst we were there.  We managed to find the Whales Head but nobody was in!

On Friday we caught the ferry off the Island before the long drive home.