Postcards Spring 2024 CA | Page 44

scotland
renovations to her home that started life as a schoolhouse and was converted by her joiner husband . He also built her workroom , accentuated with bright yellow windowsills and a front door in the same shade .
Portree is the capital town of Skye , attracting lunchtime diners perusing menus , influencers framing their shot of the pastel-coloured buildings fronting the harbour , and campervans resupplying at the nearby grocery store .
Somehow , we ’ re hungry again , so we seek out the Isle of Skye Baking Company for sandwiches and shortbread . There ’ s also cranberry and sultana bannocks , pumpkin seed oat cakes or feta and spinach scones . With our sweet and savoury pastries , we congregate on picnic benches out front to recap and plot our next move . The Irn-Bru donut is a surprise hit , and the
The town of Portree
buttery lavender shortbread is heaven on a plate .
With foraged chanterelles tucked into a leather shoulder bag , Mitchell scouts level ground for a bush fire . Ever the ghillie , he ’ s packed his own burner and propane tank , so we ’ ll leave no evidence after our cookout . He ’ s learned some important mushroom preparation tips from his time delivering ingredients to the kitchen of our lodge . The chef advised him to bring plenty of salted , grass-fed butter .
We ’ re not roughing it right now . Our bounty sautéing in sizzling butter blends with the fresh seaside air producing an all-consuming scent . As we pass the warm pan around our family circle , each taking forkfuls of roasted chanterelles , I recognize this as one of those cherished moments that I ’ d like to live over and over again .
ESSENTIALS
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When to go : The best time to visit the Scottish Highlands is during the summer , between May and September . Weather conditions during winter months can be wildly unpredictable with low temperatures , winds and snowfall all a possibility . Currency : British Pound .
$ 1 = 0.58 GBP Language : The main language is
English . Scottish Gaelic and Scots are also spoken in some parts . Getting around : One of the best
ways to explore the highlights of the Scottish Highlands is on a guided tour . Car , coach and cruise / ferry are all excellent options for traversing the region .
BOOK IT NOW
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Spend a week getting to know Scotland on CIE Tours ’ Scottish Dream itinerary . The eight-day all-inclusive , guided tour departs in Glasgow and concludes in Edinburgh with stops in the Isle of Skye , Culloden , St . Andrews and more . Departures available throughout 2024 .
CALL US
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To book your trip to Scotland , contact our travel agency .
image : getty . Illustration : Lis Watkins
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