For the first (and potentially only) time on our trip, we were able to sleep in. Though her late bedtime diminished the significance, Emmie slept until 8:30, and Noah slept an hour later. After an informal breakfast featuring various varieties of yogurt, we were loaded into the minivan and drove a few blocks from our home to Skyelight Candles, our second candle shop on the trip.
Located in the back of a home, Skyelight Candles made for a fun shopping stop.
While the previously-visited Isle of Skye Candle Company focused on scented candles packaged into stylish but conservative packaging, Skyleight Candles did less with scents but more with design. The candles featured numerous color palettes and multiple shapes, from cones to stars to the standard pillar candles.
Roasted red pepper tart with side salads at the Ellishadder Art Cafe.
We enjoyed the stop and very much enjoyed our lunch at the well-reviewed Ellishadder Art Cafe, also located in close proximity to our Staffin home. Our meal started with refreshing juices, then was followed by two superb desserts before our main dishes. The carrot cake with cream cheese frosting was solid, but the scone shined, particularly loved by Gee Gee when paired with the lemon curd and some double clotted cream.
Noah and Gee Gee at lunch. Noah liked his kid’s cup and straw.
For entrees, Amanda and Gee Gee ordered the potato scone, served with local soft cheese, while Grandma Mac went with the caramelized onion tart and I selected the roasted red pepper pastry. All were very good and served with a variety of cold sides, including baby lettuces with honey mustard dressing, carrots and toasted sunflower seeds, and potato salad. The only downside to the dinner was Emmie’s disinterest in eating; but, when taken outside, she loved walking around the property’s large yard and garden.
Emmie didn’t enjoy sitting still in the restaurant but loved playing outside.
After a lengthy drive across the island, we made it to Dunvegan Castle, whose claim to fame is being the oldest, continuously inhabited castle in the country of Scotland. It’s an impressive facility, which has grown over time from its modest start in the mid-fourteenth century.
Emmie in front of the Dunvegan Castle gates.
On our way from the car park to the castle, the walk itself was enjoyable, with a variety of gardens and greenery lining the pathways.
Joy poses in front of the worn-around-the-edges, but still impressive Dunvegan Castle.
Once inside, Noah was given a clipboard, pencil, and page of trivia, where there were six questions to answer as he perused the castle. While the activity didn’t keep his attention the entire time we were there, it did help increase his initial interest level and helped all of us better retain a few key takeaways from the castle’s history.
Noah filled out at least half of the six questions on the kid-friendly trivia worksheet.
Photogenic Amanda and Emmie on the photo-friendly castle courtyard.
After we finished exploring the castle, Gee Gee, Amanda, Noah, Emmie and I signed up for a “seal boat tour” of the adjacent waters. I entered the extremely-reasonably-priced boat ride a bit skeptical of its value but was blown away by the product. We saw at least 50 seals upon multiple shorelines along with a variety of common Skye birds. While Emmie wasn’t initially excited to ride the boat, she had a great time once it started moving. Noah loved the entire tour, especially the “happy seals” he saw in multiple places from multiple vantage points.
The clan (minus Brian) walking through the Dunvegan gardens.
Ready to board our boat for the seal ride!
Emmie had a great time!
One of many adorable seals we saw during the boat ride.
Part two will cover our great time at Coral Beach, located a few miles north of the castle, plus evening exploration of Staffin Beach, a short five-minute drive from our Skye home.