The absence of all but a light breeze has really given us some great, calm paddleboarding opportunities this week and today looked to be the last day of such conditions. In order to catch the high tide, we could have a relaxing start to the day, which involved a walk around the village from the house and a big cooked brunch too. Just after midday, as the bay filling with water, the sun came fully out too! We could barely believe our luck.
Setting off from Plockton harbour was dreamy. Full sunshine and calm seas. We didn't even put on wetsuits, opting instead for a pair of shorts and a fleece.
The reason we wanted to go out on the high tide was that there is a small estuary that fills up and is only accessible at high water.
We were able to glide up to the tip of the creek with the last of the incoming tide and then get sucked back out as it began to fall.
It really was a magical trip and the scenery reminded me more of Canada than Scotland. The trees were such a mix of autumnal colours and the water crystal clear.
I was almost exploding with excitement and delight at our good fortunes!
As the turning tide dictated our return to Plockton, we noticed some dark clouds behind us. Initially, I suggested we carry on around the bay as we were so close to home, it didn't matter if we got caught out in a shower and got wet.
However, as we approached the harbour (and shelter of the van), the dark cloud was catching us up and looking incredibly menacing. It looked so dark and heavy, it was clear that it was about to unleash on us. Taking Clare's advice, we pulled in at the harbour and made it to the van seconds before the cloud emptied itself onto unsuspecting Plockton.
The full force of nature was unleashed for about ten minutes. Hailstones poured down and strong winds put ferocious waves across the bay. From the safety of the van, we were very glad indeed to be caught out in such a deluge.
Then almost as quickly as it started, the squall passed and calm returned to the bay and in it's wake, the most vibrant rainbows appeared.
Possibly some of the best I've ever seen!
After getting changed back at the loft, we took a late afternoon walk over to the far side of the peninsular to another little bay. Timed once again between the showers and enormous clouds.
There were more rainbows too!
And a fine sunset.
Back at the village, we celebrated our good luck at the Plockton Hotel. There can't be many Scottish Hotels or businesses that have a palm tree as their logo!
But they do have plenty of palm trees here - as well as an undercover beer garden with one of the best pub views you could ask for. For once, we were glad that the Scottish restrictions meant that we could only sit outside. In the time it took to have a drink, we watched the storm and sunlight pass overhead. Magic.
Here is the view from our table....
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