As my mum was turning 76 last week I did what all men of my age do and phoned my sisters to see what they were getting her for a gift. Uncharacteristically unhelpful they both gave different versions of the same answer so I decided there was nothing more for it. What would make my mum’s birthday all the more special than her favourite child, her first born, going home to see her for a surprise visit?

And so, to the Caledonian MacBrayne website I turned. Already knowing the most practical route to South Uist was denied to me, as the MV Lord of the Isles - Loti as she if affectionately known - has yet again been pirated from the route as the endless cycle of it replacing other ailing tubs on the CalMac services continues unabated.

More than familiar with my options I could choose between a two-and-a-half-hour drive to Oban for a six-hour sailing to Barra, then assuming I’d be able to squeeze a slot on the Sound of Barra crossing - a further 40 minute sailing to Eriskay; or I could drive six hours to Uig in Skye for the one and a three quarter hour crossing to North Uist, with a further hour’s drive at the other side. I opted for option B.

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The drive to Skye was typically stunning and served to remind me that I shouldn’t just hit the mainland west coast when trying to cross the Minch. Progress was steady if occasionally slow when a queue of traffic lead by a campervan (it’s always a campervan) would forget driving etiquette as no doubt the driver was captivated by the breath-taking vistas that draw millions here each year.

A........

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