I kept my resolution not to visit Skye this time, but only just. I took Speranza for a last run in the Highlands along the Road to the Isles to the ferry port at Mallaig. It began pleasantly enough but after thirty miles the error messages and 'safe mode' returned. I restarted the engine a couple of times and they went away for long enough to complete the run as planned and get home. I am convinced the problem is merely electronic and not mechanical. I will nurse Speranza home to London via North Wales, where I plan to visit my parents and have booked her in at Joe Macari's next Friday.
It was interesting to visit the Glenfinnan Monument. I managed to ease my bulk through the narrow hatch at the top of the tight spiral staircase so as to get up close with the statue of Charles Stuart. Few countries in the world are tolerant enough to permit the glorification of a traitor. I began by finding it irritating, but progressed to feeling proud that we are so forgiving.
I still find it hard to understand how anyone can admire 'Bonnie' Prince Charlie though. He cost the lives of many in an incompetent, half-hearted attempt to seize the throne. The slight setback of Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn failing to show up with the Welsh Catholics (thereby perhaps giving us the unpleasant verb 'to Welsh') was enough to make him turn tail.
He died ignominiously, of syphilis, in France and would have been far better forgotten by history. On the positive side, his exploits gave us one of my favourite Scottish songs. Again, it does us credit as a nation that it can be enjoyed despite its treasonous sentiments!
The map of my progress can be seen here.
The Last Ditch by Tom Paine 
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