It was our first full day on Skye and we were looking forward to exploring. We began with breakfast where the table was nicely set ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040798 and the menu was clear ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040799 along with a beautiful flower on the table ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040800 as scones were served ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040801 with orange juice ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040802 and tea ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040803 but the spreads remained untouched ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040804 as I got this small dose of muesli for artistic effect ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040805 and had my tea ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040806 and porridge ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040807 as Suzanne had her prunes and apricots ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040808 and her main course ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040809 and mine quickly followed ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040810 so that we could explore our options, stopping at the reception to get advice and record this map of scotches. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040811 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040812 Unfortunately, as we headed out, it became the typically bad Scottish weather you hear about. And so, we had rain all day and heavy winds so that the rain came down sideways. This didn't keep us from stopping at the batik store ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040813 and we then made our way to Dunvegan Castle where we recorded a few flowers from the garden on our way in ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040814 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040815 as we made our way along the path in the rain behind these people ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040816 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040817 and then stopped for more flowers ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040818 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040819 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040820 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040821 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040822 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040823 before the castle came into view ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040824 along with its plan ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040825 and so we proceeded to the castle ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040826 and Suzanne posed at it ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040827 before we saw this sign that defined our day. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040828 After the castle tour which was quite interesting and would have made for some wonderful photos, we endured the gardens as long as the rain would permit and captured this flower photo ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040829 before heading off to the Talisker distillery ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040830 where after this photo in the guest viewing area, ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040831 we discovered that the only photos allowed on the tour were in the (not very interesting) cask room. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040832

Our photo luck changed with dinner, though our weather luck took longer, where we recorded this gentleman as we settled in to start ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040833 and then our drinks arrived ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040834 and so we explored menus ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040835 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040836 as we began our canapes before the meal ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040837 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040838 and chose an appropriate claret for the meal. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040839 We were then invited to have a chef's table for our dinner and so Marcello the chef welcomed us ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040840 as water ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040841 wine ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040842 and butters were set. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040843 And as my water was poured ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040844 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040845 we began to explore the kitchen ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040846 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040847 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040848 before our first course arrived ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040849 but meanwhile, many plates were being set out at the pass for the party of 10 who had arrived ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040850 and we watched as greens were gathered in this container ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040851 and I captured a lot of frying pans ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040852 along with the waiting plates ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040853 and the grains ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040854 as cheese was cubed ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040855 and plates were prepared ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040856 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040857 and meanwhile this container waited ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040858 until the cage could be removed ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040859 lettuce added ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040860 and garnish poured onto it gently ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040861 to make the final product. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040862 And then, more cheese was sliced ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040863 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040864 as this tool appeared ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040865 and was used to glaze the top of a dish ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040866 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040867 which was then assembled and served. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040868 Meanwhile, a pear was being sliced into small pieces ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040869 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040870 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040871 as our next courses were served ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040872 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040873 including this one we had watched being created ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040874 and then all that was left was the bit of lettuce that had been added ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040875 and then clean plate club ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040876 as the smoked Orkney cheddar cheese came out ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040877 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040878 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040879 and more plats were being prepared across the kitchen ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040880 and the venison was being chunked for serving. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040881 By this time, our next course arrived ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040882 and was revealed ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040883 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040884 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040885 as drizzling on plates started in the kitchen ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040886 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040887 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040888 but they ran out of drizzle ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040889 though there was much of this ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040890 and so more drizzle had to be found ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040891 and added to the collection ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040892 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040893 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040894 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040895 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040896 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040897 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040898 until the container was full ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040899 and ready for use ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040900 as work continued ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040901 and these nice products resulted ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040902 though the spoon process was necessary ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040903 to get the toppings just right. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040904 Work continued ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040905 as this container ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040906 was filled ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040907 sat ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040908 and then got some ingredients ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040909 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040910 before the container was removed leaving this lovely concoction ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040911 so that the container could go back for more ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040912 and ingredients could be assembled ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040913 so that the process could repeat ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040914 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040915 and then decoration could be applied ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040916 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040917 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040918 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040919 as cooking proceeded on the other side of the kitchen ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040920 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040921 and this odd concoction came out of the oven which would be used for decoration in a variety of ways later. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040922 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040923 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040924 Meanwhile, our main courses arrived though we weren't sure we could eat if we were watching ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040925 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040926 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040927 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040928 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040929 and so these plates appeared in the kitchen in front of us suitably drizzled ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040930 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040931 and one by one (two by two in the case of Marcello) pana cottas were put into warmer water ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040932 to be removed from their shells and served, ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040933 a process we watched for a while ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040934 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040935 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040936 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040937 sometimes interrupted by the sorbets ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040938 which were delicately spooned (sometimes 10 times, sometimes 11, sometimes 12) ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040939 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040940 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040941 to make the perfect shape for the topping ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040942 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040943 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040944 and so, the process continued ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040945 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040946 before our mysterious material was divided ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040947 and the desserts were ready to be served ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040948 as in the flurry of photos, I missed a step ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040949 but then the fish were being cooked ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040950 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040951 and the ceremonial slicing (and dicing) of the apples began ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040952 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040953 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040954 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040955 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040956 with grapes to add to the picture ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040957 which went first into the plate, after being cut, ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040958 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040959 and then came citrus ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040960 which had been nicely prepared ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040961 as more cutting took place ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040962 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040963 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040964 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040965 and then a staircase was created from apple ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040966 to complete the plate ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040967 before the next staircase could be assembled ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040968 and installed ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040969 for the next person. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040970 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040971 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040972 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040973 Meanwhile, the aerator ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040974 was growing the pre-dessert ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040975 in foamy fashion ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040976 as many creme brulee's in action appeared ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040977 and plates were prepared for their service ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040978 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040979 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040980 while Marcello demonstrated the two at a time panna cotta technique ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040981 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040982 though even he could only shake one out at a time ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040983 and gently place it ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040984 as creme brulees appeared, one glazed, two sugared ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040985 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040986 and then the glazing continued ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040987 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040988 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040989 until there was a full set ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040990 at which point, preparation began for the cheese plates and so cutting of vegetables and fruits had to happen ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040991 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040992 making little fortresses ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040993 as there was cutting ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040994 and breaks for other desserts ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040995 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040996 but back to the main mission ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040997 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040998 we now had a team of two working at the dessert area, the evening have gotten alter, ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1040999 and so apple spirals were created ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050001 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050002 even as final dinners were being prepared ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050003 and ready to serve. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050004 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050005 The celery re-emerged ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050006 for cutting ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050007 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050008 as assembly began ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050009 until these remarkable plates resulted ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050010 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050011 along with the final creme brulees ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050012 one of which I ate myself ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050013 as I watched the others appear. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050014 After dinner, we adjourned for petit fours ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050015 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050016 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050017 and a full sugar bowl ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050018 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050019 with all together ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050020 and after a few photos of Suzanne and me, we called it a night. ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050021 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050022 ../../../Sabbat/2013/06.25-07.14.13EnglandAndScotland//P1050023