A Fiat 500 is not big enough for 5 adults and luggage – we already knew this but Jim had taken the risk of booking the cheapest car in the hope that the hire company would upgrade it when we arrived at Inverness.
They didn’t and so when we saw the size of the car, I suggested two of us should hitchhike to Sheildaig.
After a brief discussion of options, Jim decided we should try to get us in the car with the luggage on top of us. My massive bag was laid across the knees of me and Renee and Tom in the back of the car and the five cabin bags pushed into the tiny boot and on Alex’s lap on the passenger seat.
It all went in, but none of us except Jim could move. And then we had to stop at Tesco to get supplies and this all had to be fit in – between feet this time.
As if this wasn’t bad enough it started to snow and we lost the sun. The journey was hellish and at one stage we failed to get up a hill for all the snow on the road.
We all got out a
nd in the end I jumped in the driving seat and everyone pushed and the I got purchase and drove slowly up the hill with the other four running and slipping behind me.
I drove the remainder of the jurney using only the gears for braking – slipping and sliding all over the place and hoping to God there was no car coming in the opposite direction Nearing our destination there was a downhill section with a sharp turn. 
I suggested we all get out and walked the half mile to the house and Jim drive the car. If it slide off the road, only Jim and our luggage would be damaged!
We were all very grateful to arrive alive. I will never ever see a Fiat 500 without reliving that epic journey through the snow storm during a dark cold Scottish February night.