HELLO! (UK)

THE PRINCE OF WALES and THE DUCHESS OF CORNWALL Skye proves no limit to the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay’s Scottish fun

ENJOY SCOTTISH LIFE AS THEY SOAK UP THE SCENERY IN SKYE

- REPORT: TRACY SCHAVERIEN

Sporting traditiona­l tartan, the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay tucked into fish and chips and were serenaded with Gaelic songs on a visit to the Isle of Skye last week.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who go by their Scottish titles when they’re north of the border, were in high spirits as they met locals and chatted to business owners and emergency services to hear how they coped during the pandemic.

Well-wishers lined the streets of the capital Portree as the couple, making their first visit to the island since 2009, were welcomed by Lord-Lieutenant Joanie Whiteford.

Locals, many of whom rely on tourism for their livelihood­s, told the royal couple how they have been affected by Covid- 19 and how they are moving forward.

Making their most of the time on the island, Prince Charles and Camilla visited a host of businesses, including Skyeskyns, Scotland’s only remaining commercial sheepskin tanner, a local gift shop, a charity shop, the Isle of Skye Soap Company and the Gin School.

They also met representa­tives of the RNLI, and while at the harbour they were treated to a fish supper from Dan Corrigall’s fish and chip shop and a performanc­e from Gaelic folk singer Robert Robertson, with Ben Tianavaig providing a picturesqu­e backdrop.

Speaking about his performanc­e, Robert said: “The Duke and Duchess have a really down-to-earth way about them… It just felt like a really nice conversati­on and it was a real pleasure.”

CASTLE OF DELIGHTS

The royal couple’s visit included a meeting with Hugh MacLeod of MacLeod, the 30th chief of the clan MacLeod, as they saw the improvemen­ts carried out at Dunvegan Castle, the family’s ancestral home.

The building contains many clan treasures and heirlooms, including the Fairy Flag, a sacred banner said to bring victory when carried in battle, while the gardens host a variety of delights, including the Dunvegan Pebble, a rotating marble sculpture weighing more than two tons.

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 ??  ?? Award-winning Gaelic singer Robert Robertson entertains the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay – as they are known in Scotland – at Portree before they tuck into fish and chips (below) and view the Dunvegan Pebble at Dunvegan Castle (bottom)
Award-winning Gaelic singer Robert Robertson entertains the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay – as they are known in Scotland – at Portree before they tuck into fish and chips (below) and view the Dunvegan Pebble at Dunvegan Castle (bottom)

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