Straight to Inverness from New Zealand - via Hong Kong, and London. Picked up a hire car at Inverness airport and drove to Achintraid on the west coast via Garve and Lochcarron. I was kindly offered the use of an empty house to sleep in for a couple of nights while I caught up with old friends in the area. Visited the Kyle of Lochalsh and looped back via Shieldaig and Torridon. Quick day trip to Aviemore on the train and then back to the airport.
Sadly, despite my excitement for re-visting Applecross, this trip was marred by tragedy. The night before I flew out from Napier I got a message from my friend in Achintraid to say that Ali (Snoddy) McLeod was missing at sea. I remember Ali fondly from my time working at the oudoor centre there in 1989 and, as well as being front of house at the local inn, he was the fisherman who supplied most of the seafood. The search was still ongoing when I arrived in the Highlands and so, out of respect, I didn't drive over the Bealach Na Ba to Applecross. His body was eventually found, three weeks later. Rest in peace Snoddy x
https://www.heraldscotland.com/life_style/16045411.applecross-fisherman-alasdair-macleods-family-loss-weve-put-ashes-sea-home-there/
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| Haggis on the menu at the airport cafe |
