Ask Donnie

Hello, and you’d be made very welcome. Donnie says the internet has many opinions about Skye in December. The one about bringing waterproofs is generally sound. 1. Snow is possible, especially on higher ground, but a white Christmas is far from guaranteed. At lower levels you may find rain, wind, frost or all three before lunch. Check the forecast close to departure and allow for travel delays. 2. As beginner hikers, keep to short, lower-level walks that suit the conditions on the day. Please don’t treat a snowy or icy hill as an ordinary walk with a better photograph. If you want to go higher, go with a qualified local guide. 3. Daylight is limited. Around 26 December, Portree has roughly 9am to 3.45pm between sunrise and sunset. Plan one main outing each day and leave plenty of time to get back before dark. Donnie has tried negotiating for a later sunset. Nothing came of it. 4. Public transport is the part we’d sort out before booking. Your dates fall across Boxing Day and a Sunday, with a substitute bank holiday on Monday 28 December. Festive bus and coach services may be reduced or unavailable on the journeys you need. Check the actual holiday timetables with Stagecoach and Scottish Citylink, including your return journey. Without a car, staying in Portree and arranging a local tour or taxi in advance may make more sense than trying to cover the island by bus in two days. 5. Expect a mixture. The lower ground can still be green while the hills are white; you could also have rain and no snow at all. The views are beautiful in winter when they appear. Donnie declines to guarantee when that will be. We’d love you to see Skye. For this particular two-day visit, secure the transport first and let the weather decide the walking. Murdo would prefer a timetable for the weather too, but has yet to find who publishes it.

Scotland could claim the title tomorrow, but Wales has held it so graciously that nobody here has yet had the heart to send the paperwork. We certainly have the evidence. Runrig alone could sustain the case, Capercaillie would provide cultural support, Del Amitri could explain why nothing ever happens, and The Proclaimers have already demonstrated a willingness to travel considerable distances for the hearing. Wet Wet Wet remain on permanent standby as the official Skye weather forecast. As for KT Tunstall, Donnie is fairly certain the initials do not stand for Knickers Trombone, although he agrees this would explain why she seldom uses her full name. Andy Stewart may also be included, but only if someone accepts responsibility for the continuing belief that every Scottish man owns six kilts, dances before breakfast and keeps a set of bagpipes in the car. In truth, Wales may keep the crown. Scotland has never been entirely comfortable with organised singing unless it happens after closing time and nobody admits to starting it.

Yes, there is usually a period of sunshine each day. The difficulty is that it may occur for seven minutes while you’re inside a shop, driving through Broadford, or putting your waterproofs on. On Skye, sunshine is less a forecast and more a sighting. Murdo says if you see some, don’t waste time telling anyone.

I believe I’ve traced the parcel. Evri marked it as “delivered to a safe place” sometime in November 2024. Given the contents, we believe the safe place was Skye. The 200 bracken plugs have since integrated successfully with the existing population and are now impossible to distinguish from the other several billion. Murdo says your delivery has technically arrived. Just not all in one box.

I would estimate that Portree to Edinbane is approximately three drams by local reckoning, assuming you’re travelling as a passenger and nobody stops to discuss a gate. Ten drams puts you somewhere beyond Edinbane, geographically or spiritually. Murdo says if you’ve arrived at the Edinbane Lodge and can still pronounce Edinbane, you probably took the wrong road. For the avoidance of doubt, the driver should remain on tea.

Dear A. Blackie, Thank you for what I can only describe as a long-overdue and surprisingly well-written proposal. We have, in fact, been considering appointing two senior sheep as advisers. Their qualifications are exceptional: extensive knowledge of local roads, an instinctive understanding of passing-place occupancy, and decades of experience entering eating establishments without a reservation. The main difficulty is that both candidates have refused to attend meetings unless held on the A87 during the morning rush. Murdo supports the appointments. He says the Board would benefit from a few members who know when to keep their mouths shut. Can I ask, whether “pro bono” means we won’t have to pay them. The sheep have requested grazing rights, travel expenses and a salt lick. Negotiations are progressing normally.

Yes, Hobnobs are the sensible choice for the Cuillins because they’ll survive being sat on, dropped in a rucksack and briefly exposed to Highland weather. Shortbread is better for morale, but structurally less dependable. As for the Talisker, I would recommend keeping that for after the climb. Murdo says this is because the Cuillins already move about enough on their own.

I would say that this is a highly contentious subject and best not discussed after two drams. Skye midges insist they are the most persistent. Tiree’s claim they are more athletic and have better wind resistance. Murdo says the only fair test is to stand between the islands in shorts and see who finds you first.