Another few weeks on Skye would have been lovely!

And these were some of the views on the first evening, of my week away on the Isle of Skye.

Hello ........ a week is never enough for a break away is it? Two weeks is always a better amount of time, not that I wish to sound ungrateful.

As I was putting an empty plastic bottle in the recyling after returning home, a saw there was a little bit of water left at the bottom, and I found myself thinking "this is water from Skye, because this is the bottle I filled from the tap in the cottage I was staying in". I feel like I'm still half in Skye.

It was a working holiday. During the day I would work on paintings, and in the evenings I worked on my sculptures.

This all took place in the cottage you see in the photograph above, which had the perfect spot and gorgeous views. In the end wall of the cottage (on its left), was a huge picture window, and from that window I could see down in to the valley and out to sea, it was idyllic. The website for the cottage has some fantastic photos of the views in its picture gallery, which you can see in the link here.

The cottage itself was lovely, clean, welcoming, no fussy decor, modern and just right, and I felt extremely at home there. In the photos on the website, it looks like it's very isolated, but it's not, there are other houses dotted around so you don't feel vulnerable, but there aren't so many houses that it feels crowded. The link to the website for the cottage is here. Looking at the calendar of availability, it's very booked up, I wouldn't be surprised if some of them are return visits.

Skye has dramatic landscape, wild even, especially this time of year. I like the wildness and the drama, it's impressive and awe inspiring. I didn't explore the island much because I was working most of the time, I stayed mostly in the North West area, and stretched my legs each day with a walk along the cliffs in the late afternoon, rain or shine.

One of the things I love about the landscape is the effect of the huge rolling skies, and the dramatic changes always taking place. Clouds appear, sweep over the landscape and then sunshine bursts through, it constantly shifts. It's a challenging landscape which makes you feel small, this is the sort of holiday that is the complete opposite of sunbathing on a beach.

I was on Skye before the tourist season had started, so many shops and cafes were closed. Before I left, I made an appointment to visit Shilasdair Yarns, where all the wool is hand dyed with natural products. They have a website here.

Anyone who loves yarn will understand what a delicious treat it was going to the Shilasdair Yarn shop. It was the equivalent of going in to an old fashioned sweet shop for a child.

I bought some skeins of 4-ply to knit my little diamonds, for the blanket I'm making. And I have to admit, although I have no need of more yarn to knit another garment, I bought enough DK wool to make a striped dress, which I haven't photographed yet.

The photo above is one I took just before setting off in the car to return home. My Shilasdair yarn is sitting on the window seat of the picture window in the cottage, the window I sat in front of to knit occasionally during my stay. The drive, rather than being seven hours long, was eight and a half hours long going to Skye, and the same coming back, with only two breaks either way. Exhausting when you're doing it entirely on your own. Still, my stay on Skye was worth it, and if I was offered the opportunity to return any day soon, I'd jump at the offer.

Righty-ho, I need to get back to work. Cheerio.

Vanessa xxx

 

 

Comments

[Stephanie]

Dear Vanessa,

So you have returned home with mixed feelings? Glad to be back but missing the luxury of having days of 'freedom' in which to work with only yourself to think about. I can imagine how you are feeling and I totally get it. In your (busy) shoes I would make sure I tell myself that there will be another similar holiday on the horizon. Speaking of horizons Skye is the perfect place, isn't it? I was only eighteen when I set foot on its shores and my admiration for the place hit me hard. It leaves its mark that's for sure.

It's lovely to have you back and I imagine you made full use of your quiet time.

Happy inspiration and hard work to you, Vanessa! ;-)

[Bonnie]

Gorgeous. The photos are really stunning. I hope you were able to do lots of work and still feel you're returning home refreshed.

[Lois]

So beautiful, and very different from the Ontario vistas I see. It would be difficult for me to focus and not wander about.

[Carol]

What an idyllic place to work. Skye is one of my favourite places in the whole world, don't think I could every spend enough time there.
Carol xx

[Malin]

Hello!

I wonder how much a wondeful paper maché coffea cup with seedling costs? And if you make them by ordering? =)

Love Malin xxx

[Teresa Kasner]

Ahhhh.. your photos were almost like having a calm time there myself. Such vistas! The changes in the scene by the change of cloud and sun and mists.. lovely. I bet your missed your guy and the doggies, though! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

[Fiona]

Hi Vanessa, looks like you had a wonderful, relaxing yet productive week! Sorry it flew by so fast, you're right, two weeks is always better than one! Photo's are amazing as always and that wool shop GOT ME ALL EXCITED then I remembered it's in Skye (and I am stuck in Dundee Boo!). Looking forward to hearing all about your new paintings and sculptures x ps well done driving all that way on your own, I am a confident driver, when I am in my comfort zone (as in driving round where I live) but as soon as I am somewhere new I totally get stressed out (and lost!) so much admiration that you drove all the way there and back on your own x

[Vintage Squirrel]

It IS a long way, even if you live in Scotland! We got married on Skye with 17 guests, on a Tuesday afternoon. My parents were late, not me as they had to queue for 2 ferries as it was so busy! We dined on langoustines caught in the bay that day. The next day we fished in the pee-ing rain and gotten bitten to death by midges! You chose the very best time to go and must have had great weather too. Next time you go, take Hugo to dinner at The Three Chimneys, it's very special. Your photos are fantastic and I particularly like the one of the little-known curious Skye breed of sheep, the legless white. Katie x
Ps...we found a home!

[Penelope]

Lovely Vanessa
What a beautiful and inspiring post. How I would love to go to Skye, it's on my bucket list! Thank you for sharing the beauty you found in it and as for the yarn, well I am all candy shopped out seeing it ;-)

Good to know you got home safely to your little dogs and Hugo after such a long drive and I am so pleased each moment was worth it for you xox

[Kate]

Seriously lovely wools...sounds like you had an excellent week: peace,work and WOOL.I have to confess that I miss my pets when away, so two weeks would just be too much!Pathetic, but true.
Nice to have you back.x

[fiona]

Thank you for sharing the beautiful photos, Vanessa. It made me want to book a ticket to the UK & Skye right now! I live in Australia - in a very beautiful place, with its own stunning views and wild open spaces, but there's something about the green and the mountains and sea, and heathered hillsides of Scotland that just gets under your skin (perhaps for me it's the bloodline from my Scottish Granny). And the wool... The colours are divine. Thanks so much for giving your blog readers a virtual visit to the 'sweet shop'! Glad you had a lovely working holiday in this beautiful place.
fiona x

[Trudy McLauchlan]

Vanessa, you LUCKY DUCK!!!
Your week away sounds divine. Your photos are brilliant and has everyone yearning for some time away.
Thanks for sharing.
Trudy x

[Kylie]

How idyllic! The little cottage is gorgeous, the landscape incredible, and there's wool! I understand you wishing for a little longer :)

[Annie]

Oh my Vanessa, how to make a girl feel green a hundred times over ... Skye, Shilasdair, more Skye. I hope your stay was everything you wished it to be.

My little parcel arrived safely, thank you so much x

[Pretty Nelli]

What a place and what a view. I wouldn't want to leave either!

[Alessandra]

I'm really glad to read your last news!! I think it has been wonderful to be there!!
And the yarn shop....so so yummy! lucky you!
xxx Alessandra

[Gracie]

So beautiful, Vanessa!!! ... sheep and yarn and sky and water ... I'm so glad you
were able to travel and enjoy so much. Thanks for sharing with us! <3

[Magic Cochin]

How beautiful! I hope you got lots of work done, but most of all I hope you felt rejuvenated and soothed and inspired in that lovely cottage.

It is a very long way away... I thought it would be a shorter distance for you! For me it would be another 4 or 5 hours on top of your journey!

I've been to Skye twice but for short visits while in the area or on the way to the ferry to the Isles. BUT I have been to that wool shop :-) you lucky girl having a PV of the wools.

I remember going into a trance trying to decide which colour to buy. In the end I bought a misty grey/blue and a black - I must have been influenced by the weather as at the time there was a thick fog enveloping the island!!! I knitted a lovely sweater with pockets - it is and has been for some time, in the mending pile as the pocket has torn. I'm going to hoik it out right now and mend it.

Celia
xx

[Rachell]

Skye is fab, do you know the little but amazing resturant called Creelers there? They make a v v yummy gumbo. I must go back!

[Helen Philipps]

I loved this post, Vanessa! Your pictures of Skye are wonderfully evocative of that beautiful place. It has special memories for us, though it's such a long way from where we live we have done the journey with an overnight stop. You did well to drive so long on your own. I loved all the pictures, and the idea of you working there in that quiet landscape is very inspiring.
Thanks for sharing so many delightful photos.
Helen x

[steph]

So glad your stay was everything you hoped for--and more.....and thanks for taking me with you via your photos! Lovely.

[Jill]

Wonderful trip to Skye, and much better to go out of season as it can get very busy in the summer. I went to Shilasdair too when I was there, what an incredible place! Next time you go up north, try staying on the mainland and go right up to Wester Ross. Better scenery than Skye, quieter, and fewer single-track roads :-)

[Jess]

Oh my goodness I'm going there in July and it looks perfectly stunning! The wool shop would indeed be like a sweetie shop for me, the colours are so beautiful!
Jess xx

[Miaou]

It looks so restful and peaceful in your photographs. I guess it was a great time for reflection as well as creation. What a great opportunity, I wish I could do it too!

[lori]

i'm speechless. i've been checking to see if you were back and then i left too this last week. we've returned now and i found this post.
vanessa! your photos are stunning, i've looked at this post 3 times before commenting. and i'm sure i'll look at it many times more. i can't believe you stayed in that cottage. and drove all that way. and i can only imagine what you created while you were there.
i'm trying not to be envious, but i can't help it. i hope hope hope someday i'll be able to visit there. i want to stay in the cottage you did. and see the knitting shop. and walk those hills.
a knitted dress? did you make one while there?
this post takes my breath away.
i'm glad your safely back.
xxx lori

[lynne at Textile Treasury]

What a lovely post, Vanessa, the photos are true eye candy.

I think you have lived -if only for a short spell- the dream of many ordinary women, happily established in warm loving relationships, with nothing to want to 'run away' from: to escape for a while to a special spot to just 'be', either to work, stitch, paint, read, compose - satisy that creative urge without the need to consider family obligations and committments. And what a beautiful place to just 'be'.

So pleased you had this time for yourself....struggling to stifle the green envies!

[sumea]

it really is otherwordly-
your photographs are magical!
thank you for taking us there x

[Jenny]

These photos are all soooo lovely. Thank you for posting them.