Went past The Cherrytrees in Duirinish and ended up in Plockton. Went back -- Harbour Street in Plockton is very narrow -- and tried again. Ended up back in Plockton and tried to phone: no answer.

Finally checked the listing and found that I was in the wrong village.

Went back to Duirinish, found The Cherrytrees B&B (Ken and Lexy Wilson) and signed in, dropped off my bags, and went back to Plockton in search of dinner. I ended up in the back bar of the Plockton Hotel -- dined at the bar as no tables were available. Met a man and woman and their shiatzu, "Scruffy"; listened to yuppies from England discuss hillwalking and who'd left what in whose flat for awhile, then got to talking with a local, Nick (originally from Bath).

Turns out he's a mate of Ken Wilson. He bought me a beer, I bought him a beer, some of his pals showed up and we bought each other beers... . Next thing you know, it's closing. Drove the mile back to Duirnish -- didn't have to worry about being on the correct side of the road since the single-track is only ten feet wide -- got in after midnight.

Scotland Journal, 5/25/98
I slept 'til 6:30, rolled over and slept 'til 8:00. Could've sworn the Wilsons had a cuckoo clock, but no, it's a local bird. Don't know if it's really a cuckoo, but it sure sounds like one!

I was late for breakfast and apologized for coming in late. No one admitted to hearing me.

One couple was from Switzerland and didn't have much English, the other was from Yorkshire and the gent had far too much. (I can follow 'most any accent, but I think that his was the most trouble I've encountered to date.)

Talked at length with Ken and Lexy -- mentioned meeting Nick at the pub. "Was he playin' then?" Ken asked. "No, drinking!" I replied. (Apparently Nick plays guitar and accordian.)

Ken's putting together a Web page for the B&B. I told him I'd watch for it and link to it, and gave him my URL. (And here's Ken's Page.)

I had some entertainment while putting my bags in the car: The neighbor's Highland cattle have the run of Duirinish, and they'd come up the hill while I was loading. (The camera was still in the house of course, but they were still there when I went back and got it.) One calf seemed fascinated by the Rover, and later wandered into the Wilsons' yard. Lexy chased him out... while the neighbors border collie lay there looking bored. (I hope the photos come out!)

[Lexy told me that these cattle (and Plockton) were featured in a British TV series, "Hamish Macbeth." I found this Web page.]