Scotland - An amble around the highland coast  

The last two shrimps in saffron in Ullapool

It would be remiss of me not to talk about the food, booze and accommodation on our trip. All generally very good thanks to tripadvisor. Here is my observations, which I will also post on www.tripadvisor.co.uk . I might add few of the B&B's were not at the 'economy' end of the scale.

More info on the outstanding below + wooden spooon.

Self Catering

http://www.cottageguide.co.uk/hillhouseflat/

This was a self catering flat we had for a week, great place, good value for money, friendly and helpful owners....  ideal for two....It also had an open fire which is great during the non to sunny week we had on Skye

Best Coffee House...probably in the world

http://www.cafearriba.co.uk/

As a man that knows a thing or two about coffee shops (I should do, I spend enough time in them!) This place has everything, great atmosphere, coffee ....and a daily selections of fresh home made warm scones. We had Banana, Apricot & walnut, cherry to name but a few...all with home made jam. Also the food is good too. So put this on your must visit places....just to loaf around for an hour in the rain with your Times newspaper.

Best Restaurant

http://www.templeseafood.co.uk/

This is a converted public toilet on the sea front at Oban, but do not worry....They are passionate about sea food. (see pic above this comment ) It was delicious and priced fairly. Regrettably the huge quantities could be a little daunting.

...but that said a great place, fantastic food, friendly staff, marvellous view.....you need to book well in advance!

This was a little find at the end of our journey, recommended by Highfield House B&B. Never had I had such great duck and Pavlover (Not together you understand). Good atmosphere, value for money.

Best Stand Alone B&B or Guest House

http://www.highfieldhouse.co.uk/

http://www.briarbank-oban.co.uk/

http://www.gairlochview.com/

Friendly place, fantastic views, good breakfast. We had booked to eat out on the first night, but we were told by other guests the evening meals were very good.

Best at everything ...including evening meal

http://www.cruachanstoer.com/

Dennis and Maggie are the complete team. Dennis does the front of house stuff with a delightful gentle sense of humour, while Maggie creates food that you would be delighted to eat in a top notch restaurant.

The rooms are good and the welcoming guest lounge was a good place to spend a few hours. I can not fault the place...but have great memories of our stay there.

....Not to mention the Distillery trip

The trip to the Glenmorangie was fitted in at the end...good sample, felt better able to cope with the rest of the day afterwards. We also helped a guy sample and buy a £75 bottle of whisky. Isn't it good to part with so much money on something so frivolous. I hope he enjoys the bottle without too many friends to help him.

and the wooden spoon goes too....

The Stage Coach Inn, Clachan. ...the room we were in looked as it had had a bad make over in 1971, Cold water for the shower and and it felt like instant coffee for breakfast. The tape to cover the holes on the stair carpet completed the scene. This would have been OK if it was 'economically priced'... but it wasn't. The good news is that it was the only bad place we stayed in on our trip.