August 29, 2016 - Tanya's Magical Anniversary Trip - Day 13 - Isle of Skye and South Uist (Outer Hebrides)

Elisa's Daily Scoop

Outer Hebrides and a new family member

​MONDAY HERE!  And the start of a new week!

We've got a pretty crazy week on our end.  It's not only the last week of August, but it's also the last week of camp, and the last week before school begins.  So sad.

But, I won't rush things along too quickly. We still have lots happening.

Today, our day started off very early.  The girls will be doing a half day today of riding camp (to make up for a half-day missed a few weeks ago). 

Then tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday, they will do full days of camp - one of which, is yet another make-up.

​Friday, is going o be a blast, as we head over to the Hampton Classic to enjoy the horse jumpers, which includes a few of the girls' friends.

My only concern is whether or not it will be super hot outside.  I'm going to be bringing my umbrella in case the sun is too bright lol.

I'd almost prefer it rained except, that could be muddy and slippery for the riders - so I'll pray, instead, for overcast day.

I'VE GOT SOME SUPER EXCITING NEWS BUT LET ME FIRST TELL YOU A BIT ABOUT TWO PLACES IN SCOTLAND THAT TANYA IS VISITING TODAY...

ISLE OF SKYE 
&
SOUTH UIST (OUTER HEBRIDES)

The Isle of Skye, is connected to Scotland's northwest coast by bridge and is known for its rugged landscapes, picturesque fishing villages and medieval castles. ​

The Isle of Skye (credit: Nationalgeographic.com)

It is the largest island in the Inner Hebrides archipelago with an indented coastline of peninsulas and narrow lochs, radiating out from a mountainous interior.

The town of Portree, a base for exploring the island, and features harbourside pubs and boutiques.

Points of interest include Dunvegan Castle, The Storr, Quiraing and Colbost.


South Uist is just one the islands of the Outer Hebrides, the Western Isles of Scotland.

With a mere population of 1,754, 90 percent of which is Roman Catholic,  it is a stunningly beautiful island of crystal clear waters with white powder beaches. 

Isle of South Uist (credit: blosslynspage.wordpress.com)

The island is one of the last surviving strongholds of the Gaelic language in Scotland and the crofting industries of peat cutting and seaweed gathering are still an important part of everyday life. 

Lochboisdale, once a major herring port, is the main settlement and ferry terminus on the island.

The island is also home to a nature reserve and a number of sites of archaeological interest, including the only location in Great Britain where prehistoric mummies have been found. 

NOW FOR MY NEWS --- WE GOT A DOG YESTERDAY!

The kids and I went, as scheduled to one of the local rescue shelters after having our application approved.

What a great place - right here on Long Island, called Ruff House Rescue.

With our new Fur Baby, PUMPKIN (c)travelincousins.com

There were so many beautiful dogs, of a variety of a breeds and ages.

After meeting an adorable little baby, named RiRi, we realized that we would be better with a slightly older puppy for a variety of reasons.

We were introduced to roughly five 4-6 month old males and females, and narrowed it down to an energetic black and white pointer/retriever mix.  

While we were waiting for them to get this guy again (they take out one at a time) we went to the outdoor run area and saw this little hound mixed breed. The other dogs were going nuts, but she just gently stuck her snout through the chain link to say hi and looked me right in the eyes. 

Well we had to see her!

Very timid but kissing each of us and snuggling up to all three of our gang, one at a time, there was an instant connection!  

​She had just arrived from a kill shelter in North Carolina so after the long drive and being disoriented she was not really "out of her shell" yet.

Pumpkin after her first night with us (c)travelincousins.com

As we were meeting and greeting with "Pumpkin" our other little friend (the black & white pointer/retriever mix) was with a family who seemed pretty set on taking him home.

Actually, we were okay and very happy for that special little guy, because we had clearly found our girl and she had found her new family!!

"Pumpkin" (the name she was given from the shelter) was mellow, and gentle and just a little LOVE!!!

There were a few rules before we could take her home...

(c)travelincousins.com

We were instructed to go to Petco to purchase an ID tag and a few items for bring home.

An hour later (and $290 later with a coupon!), we arrived back at the Freeport, NY shelter with a packed car, which included a new crate, new bed, wee wee pads, some nyla bones, a big bag of kibble, a new double doggie bowl and the ID tag.

We filled out paperwork, were provided with  a new collar and leash (the kids picked out blue because they felt it matched her dark orange and brown coat best) and got our new fur baby in the car.

​She fell asleep in the back seat between the girls on her new bed.  Not even a peep, she was so calm and eventually fell asleep. 

We gave her a bath (which she wasn't thrilled about), when we got home, fed her (btw she was famished!!) and she made outside!!

We set up her new crate and put her to sleep and she was fine and then went berserk crying and barking.
I sat with her outside the crate and she went to sleep. But once she realized I was gone she went nuts. 

So we carried the crate upstairs and put it in my room next to bed and she didn't make a peep and fell fast asleep with me and Kelsey in the bed. 

I guess she was like "I want to be near you guys!!"

This morning, she was so excited to see us, she peed lol!!

Well, we're on a new adventure!!

And here's to the adventures of a new week!

​See ya back here tomorrow.
-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
CURRENTLY TRAVELING IN:
​THE OUTER HEBRIDES OF SCOTLAND

Oh my...the adventures of the Outer Hebrides

​​Well well well folks, here we are in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.

How's about a big ‘ol GREETING to you from Tarbert on the island of Harris - which has world renowned recognition for Harris Tweed - more on this tomorrow! 

One thing that I’ve got to say and that I should’ve realized is that the wifi connections and internet really sucks out on in these parts.

So are ye ready for yesterdays scoop?!
Sure ye are!

First let me touch on the highlights - or lowlights depending on how you look at it:

It was a lovely unusually fairly clear beautiful day with blue skies and was filled with gorgeous scenery.

We rode past:

Flora Macdonald’s birthplace.
*Now for a bit of wiki:
During the Jacobite Risings, in June of 1746, at the age of 24, Flora MacDonald was living on the island of Benbecula in the Outer Hebrides when Bonnie Prince Charlie took refuge there after the Battle of Culloden.
The prince's companion, a Captain Conn O'Neill of The Feeva, County Antrim, son of Captain Conn Modera of the O'Neills of Clannaboy, sought her assistance to help the prince escape capture.
They were distant relatives and had met at the home of their mutual relative, Ambrose O'Neill of Ballybollan.
After some hesitation, Flora promised to help the prince escape the island.

The commander of the local militia was her stepfather, Hugh MacDonald. The commander gave her a pass to the mainland for herself, a manservant, an Irish spinning maid, Betty Burke, and a boat's crew of six men. The prince was disguised as Betty Burke. He had left Benbecula on 27 June.

After a first repulse at Waternish, Skye, the party landed at Kilbride, Skye.

The talk of the boatmen brought suspicion on Flora MacDonald, she was arrested and brought to London for aiding the prince's escape.

After a short imprisonment in the Tower of London, she was allowed to live outside of it, under the guard of a "messenger" or gaoler.
When the Act of Indemnity was passed in 1747 she was released.

The local Military Base -
Military personnel have had a presence on the islands, once called RAF Benbecula, since the Second World War. At its peak, several thousand troops were stationed at the base and several other sites around the islands.
 
We rode through the land that was once occupied with over 20,000 residents pre 1780, before the Highland Clearances.

According to educationscotland.org:
In the late 18th century well into the 19th century, Highland estates moved from arable and mixed farming, which supported a large tenant population, to the more profitable sheep-farming.
Surplus tenants were ‘cleared’ off the estates from about 1780; and the Clearances were ongoing nearly 70 years later at the time of the potato famine in 1846. 

The Highland Clearances devastated Gaelic culture and clan society, driving people from the land their families had called home for centuries.

We also pedaled through a golf course - I’m guessing this will be the one and only time we’ll be doing that!

Trailblazing through fields of long grass - not my fav.

And riding along the sands of the lovely Aqua colored Atlantic - again not my fav, I mean who actually enjoys riding through the sand?

And now the other stuff that took place:

Dave got bit by a dog!

And 

I more or less had another Endo after getting squeezed out by another cyclist and rekshaying into a car! This time I was a bit more than just bumped and bruised, but again I just couldn’t stop laughing. I mean what the heck - these people must think I am a complete klutz!
So I got up and started pedaling once again, this time with a tender and aching knee.

But the thing that got me the most and actually even had me end my day early - which I HATE even the idea of…was my bum.

YUP you read that correctly, I had a super sore bottom.

So sore that it was difficult to pedal or move for that matter. There was no position that was comfortable and there was still another 11 miles to go.

They would’ve been torturous and painful.
Plus I was pretty much holding our entire team of 7 cyclists plus our guide back - which is something else that I can’t stand.
So off I went into the support van all banged up and back to the Inn we went. I iced my knee and had wondered if I would even be able to continue on this journey.

More on Harris and our Monday in tomorrows Daily Scoop.

Well I do wish that y'all are having a marvelous start to your week and I can't wait to meet you back here tomorrow - I will have lots more to tell ;)

Until then,
-T