Skye Weekend

A lovely weekend on Skye with some of the 2009 and 2010 Saltire Fellowship Alumni, along with Ruth (who has been adopted as a part of the group) and Karen Ayas. Karen is an inspring leadership coach who we had the privilege of working with at Babson as part of the fellowship. She very kindly gave up some of her free time (en route from Europe to Boston) to come to Skye with us and to do a little work with us. A HUGE thank to you Karen for joining us, and to those who organised the weekend.

	A shower in the mountains on the drive up. It was dark by the time we arrived.
	We found out what the Quiraing Lodge where we were staying in looked like when the sun came up in the morning.
	The view from our accommodation.
	David photographs, I snipe.
	Preparing for a wee walk.
	In spite of a few clouds, it was really perfect weather for walking.
	The path we were following ran along the bottom of the steep rocky bit.
	There were a few tricky gullies to cross.
	Some people wore bright colours to avoid being lost on the mountain.
	Fahd looks happy - this must have been before we got to the steep bit!
	We all help each other over the tricky bits.
	Amina can't stop herself from striking a pose.
	Karen never stopped smiling all day - I don't think she even realises how lucky she is not to be doing this in the rain...
	Spread out along the hillslide.
	A stream tumbles down the rocks above us.
	Paul taking a photo of me taking a photo of him taking a photo of me taking a photo of him taking a photo of me taking a photo of him taking a photo of me taking a photo of him taking a photo of me... You get the idea.
	Mark strikes a beastie pose on the rocks.
	Karen, Mark and Amina bring enough positive energy for everyone!
	Neil and Ian look well equipped and serious about this - I'm sticking with them if things get tricky.
	Group photo - my camera timer comes in handy.
	The "Jazz Hands" version.
	In places pinnacles of rock stand proud of the cliffs.
	Below us the hillside rolls away gently.
	Impressive geology.
	Ruth, Mark and Martyn strike poses at the start of the steep part. We're heading up to the rocks now.
	Fahd on the hillside, shortly before he overtook and started kicking stuff down the slope at me.
	Sandrine always looks happy.
	Sandrine needed a wee helping hand from Karen and Madhu.
	Jo, Amina and Fahd taking a break.
	As we ascend, the view just keeps getting better.
	Paul and Neil.
	Fahd finds a tussock to rest on.
	Ruth, smiling in spite of being stuck on a hillside.
	DON'T LOOK DOWN.
	Amina promising to be quiet. That lasted about three seconds...
	The path kept getting steeper as we got in amongst the rocky pinnacles.
	Our intrepid band of explorers.
	Ruth and Sandrine were very relieved to get to the top!
	We're now on an elevated grassy plain behind the outer pinnacles of rock.
	Sandrine and Jo.
	Ruth, still relieved she doesn't have to go up any further.
	A sheep on top of a neighbouring pinnacle.
	In a circle on top of a hill.
	Leaning back.
	...
	Leaping in the air.
	...
	The boy-band pose.
	Paul is amused.
	Ruth is amused too. Coincidence? I think not.
	Starting down.
	It's a very steep descent.
	A lovely view of the rugged coastline.
	The sun peeking through the clouds creates fabulous and ever-changing light on the landscape.
	Ruth and I on the beach.
	Ruth on rocks that allegedly contain dinosaur footprints. We didn't find them.
	Sunset at the beach.
	Amina and David in the Labyrinth.
	David finds a nice relaxing seat.
	A dram and a fire. Perfect.
	Everyone looks a bit sinister in the firelight.
	Ruth, Jo, Bec and Fahd by the fire.
	Amina (the pyjama queen) and Neil.
	The fire was a wondrous work of civil engineering.
	David was master of fire, and did an excellent job.
	Nearly bed-time I think!
	Another morning, this one a little softer.
	Jo and Mark guard the entrance to the Labyrinth in the drizzle.
	The mist lifts as we complete the labyrinth.
	Ruth at the Kilt Rock viewpoint.
	More fabulous geology.
	A rather dramatic little cascade.
	Cormorants on the rocks.
	David with his funky shades.
	A rather well-fed looking seal on the rocks.
	Seals posing on the rocks.
	Waiting for the tide to go out.
	A rather cute young seal.
	Karen snapping away with her piano themed iPhone.
	A lovely little river.
	David on a rock.
	Ian on a stony little causeway across the river.
	Ian is very pleased to have got across with dry feet.
	Mark attempting a rather more perilous crossing.
	The girls spectate.
	A rather beautiful glen.
	Up a hill again.
	Coming back down.
	Back across the stream...
	Sandrine. Still smiling!
	Mark and Bec go paddling.
	Boat trip!
	Mountains in the sunshine.
	A hole in the rocks.
	Group shot of the Saltire crew (plus a few randoms) on the boat.
	Eilan Donan Castle.
	I think Karen could feel quite at home here.
	Karen suddenly realises she is under the portcullis.
	Eilan Donan again - as we all say goodbye and head off home.