Back to the Mainland
After a night of noisy nocturnal birds, I woke up to a cloudy, muted sunrise that matched my bittersweet mood. But a few shafts of light started to poke through as I packed up camp and started my hike back to the bunkhouse.
I showered, got everything back into my two large packs, then had to say goodbye to my geologists bunkmates as they headed out into the field again. With a few hours to go before the ferry, I headed to the general store picnic benches for one last writing session. Fliss joined me for a bit too, and we got to chat some about the history of one of the nearby crofts and potential uses of the old hunting lodge down past Dibidil bothy. But all too soon, it was time to head over to the pier.
I got to say goodbye to my bird writing bud first though
The normal ferry had broken down last week, so I returned to the mainland via a much smaller passenger-only boat. It was surprisingly emotional watching the island fade in the distance, but the playful pod of dolphins who escorted us out of Loch Scresort certainly helped.
Goodbye Rum!
Quite a send off
Rum in the distance
Back on the mainland, I checked into the Moorings Guest House B&B again, got some fish and chips, and explored the tiny port town. Mallaig is VERY small, but I had only seen it at midnight and very early in the morning before — getting in during the afternoon, it was evident that the town is the end of the ‘road to the isles’ through the highlands. It was packed! Although it was strange to be back around so many people, I definitely enjoyed going to a restaurant and a super comfy bed to crash in.
