Tickets for the skye trip are now sold out but if you have signed up you are one of those lucky enough to be coming along this weekend with myself and other 8 commitee. What more could you ask for! This should clarify any questions you might have about this weekend.
Firstly and formostly you will be expected to MEET AT THE MAIN GATES AT 4PM THIS FRIDAY (4TH NOVEMBER), ready to board the buses. It is your own responsibility to be there at this time so I will need to know if this a problem for anyone. DO NOT BE LATE! You will be limited to one bag or backpack plus a carry on bag, anything else basically won't fit so please don't push your luck by bringing a bag the size of a spoilt popstar!
The weather this weekend is forcasted as 10-14 degrees centigrade with light showers. However don't fret – previous trips have been predominated by rain and they had an amazing time. We will be doing a bit of walking and Skye is a very exposed place so please bring warm and waterproof clothes and some shoes that are good for walking in. Here's our schedule.
Day One: Glasgow – Isle of Skye:
We leave Glasgow after lectures finish at 4 pm on Friday afternoon and head towards the magnificent Highlands. Our route north takes us through the weeping Glen, the dramatic & inspiring Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre in 1892. If time permits and it's not too dark, we may well jump out here for a photo opportunity and cigarette break (for those unhealthy people who still smoke!) and regale you with the fully gory details of the massacre, before heading for Fort William (home to Ben Nevis, Britain’s highest mountain) and backdrop to movies such as Braveheart and Harry Potter. We follow the stunning ‘Road to the Isles’ as we head for the mystical Isle of Skye, perhaps stopping at Eilean Donan Castle – which has featured in many movies including Highlander and James Bond – before arriving on Skye. Home for tonight is the peaceful fishing village of Kyleakin in the shadow of Casteil Moil.
Day Two: Full Day on Skye
A full day exploring the wonderful Isle of Skye. Ruined castles, awesome scenery, Viking fortresses and home to the legendary MacLeod and MacDonald Clans. Immersed in Celtic myths and legends, hear all about the Faeries and the Selkies, and local characters who have contributed to the rich history of this magical island. Quite simply unmissable! Highlights include the Quirang, Portree, Sligachan, Uig, the Cuillins, Old Man of Storr, Broadford and perhaps one or two other wee surprises!! Quite simply unmissable!
Day Three: Skye – Glasgow:
Before heading south en route for Glasgow, we follow the entire length of Loch Ness, searching for a priceless glimpse of the legendary beast. We visit Inverness, capital of the Highlands, and head for brooding Culloden Moor, sight of the defeat of Bonne Prince Charlie’s Jacobite uprising. After exploring the battlefield and discovering the reasons behind the demise of the Scottish Clan system and the cause of Scottish international migration, we make our way south. After a bite to eat and perhaps another ‘wee walk’, we pass through Pitlochry, Dunkeld and Perth (amongst other things) before arriving back in Glasgow at approximately 6pm. –
There will be plenty more stops on route, for coffee, for photographs or just because we can.
Accommodation will be youth hostel type. YOU DO NOT NEED TO BRING A SLEEPING BAG!
For dinner you will have two options: go and grab your own take-away food or maybe a group of brave volunteers may want to cook dinner for the rest. If so, we are willing to hear menus. In the past, we organised cooking haggis which might be a nice although I am quite sure that we can do better than that! Any more international proposals?
I’ve organised four previous skye trips and it has always been an amazing weekend - everyone seemed to have a really good time. With that in mind I think we can out do them by having an even better time! The commitee members going this weekend will be myself, Ying, Daisy, Claire, Callum, Marc, Jose and Maria-Sophia.
Lastly if theres anything I haven't made clear, please call me at any time on 07812072928 or e-mail me at andersroberts@hotmail.com. See you all on Friday!
Anders
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Anders Aufderhorst-Roberts Skye Trip Co-ordinator International Society
