Aug 21: West coast, Scotland

Monday 23 August

First stop Tebay for breakfast.

Visit to Culzean Castle.

Found accommodation then back out to try the optical illusion at Electric Brae. 

Called in at Dunure castle ruins on the way back - a sea fret had rolled over making it all very atmospheric - but a mile down the road it was bright sunshine!

A walk along the prom to find some fish and chips before an early night.

Tuesday 24 August

Called in to the Hill House at Helensburgh for a bit of Mackintosh.

Then onwards to our next accommodation via the Falls of Lora just outside Oban.

Our accommodation for the next two nights - an old lifeboat on the shores of Cuan Sound.

 

Beautiful views.

.. and a lovely sunset. 

Wednesday 25 August

Wedding.

First stop Blackmill Bay. Some funny looks from cyclists eating their lunch 🤣 who must have thought we were very overdressed tourists 🤣

Then over to Cullipool.

Joe asked grandad Mike to go for a walk with him.

Back to our lifeboat via the ferry as the sun set.

Thursday 26 August

Misty start to the day with Luing appearing and disappearing in the distance and the ferry fog horn blaring.

Short walk before moving on.

Off to Oban with poached smoked salmon sandwiches for the highland games. 

Sunset over Oban harbour.

Friday 27 August

Beautiful early morning light as we set off towards Morar.

The early start was so that we could be in place at Glenfinnan to watch the Jacobite steam train come over the viaduct. Pure Harry Potter!

There were lots of other people patiently waiting too.. 😂

Then as if by magic the train appeared.

Everyone else soon disappeared but we stayed for a picnic brunch.

We then walked down to see the Glenfinnan Monument which was erected in 1815 in tribute to the Jacobite clansmen who fought and died for the cause of Prince Charles Edward Stuart.

Then onwards to Morar and our hotel which had a view over the white sandy beach.

The White Sands of Morar.

We hadn't realised that the hotel was at the side of the railway station and we were surprised to see a steam train go by! 

We eventually found out that the Jacobite uses two steam engines for its twice daily trips - and has to do a sort of reverse shuffle to the turning circle at Arisaig - which was why it seemed to be going the wrong way and backwards!

Saturday 28 August

Our first grey day. Went down the road for breakfast in Mallaig. Hot smoked salmon and kippers.

We took the coast road along the lochs and beaches. We didn't see Morag the monster in loch Morar!

Sunday 29 August

On towards Acharacle stopping at the Prince's Cairn where Bonnie Prince Charlie boarded his boat to exile in France.

Breakfast stop on the beach at Back of Keppoch. The only time it was slightly chilly - but it soon warmed up. 

On to Tioram (Dorlin) castle on a tidal island.

Lovely meal at the hotel in the evening.

Monday 30 August

Long and winding road out to Ardnamurchan lighthouse - the most westerly point on mainland Britain. Beautiful drive.

Walk towards the Singing Sands - didn't get all the way due to bad knee.

Beautiful light over Loch Shiel.

Tuesday 31 August

Beautiful drive across to our next destination at Appin. Gorgeous reflections on the lochs.

Went back the long way round (so we could look at the shipwreck) with another stop at Glenfinnan but at the station this time.

Then on to Corpach to look at the wreck of a fishing vessel which broke its moorings and was washed up on the beach in 2011.  Ben Nevis in the background.

Neptune's staircase - the start (or end) of the Caledonian canal.

.. and we saw the train going through - again 🤣

A short walk round Fort William then on to our posh accommodation. Beautiful room with a balcony overlooking Castle Stalker.

The sky clouded over a bit but the light was ever changing and very scenic.

We had food with us so we opened a bottle of wine and sat on the balcony.

The plug-in cool box has been a game changer as it's like taking a mini fridge with you everywhere!

Wednesday 1 September

Early morning walk down to the shore to look at the castle. 

Drive round the small peninsula to Port Appin then on to Ardchattan Priory.

Dunstaffnage castle.

St Conan's Kirk - a real mixture of styles and arcitectures. Very interesting.

Small pier and metal rails down from the boat house.

Walk round to the other side of the bay to see the castle from the other side.

Our accommodation from the far shore.

Bought bits at a smoke house for an evening meal - too nice not to be on the balcony for sunset!

Thursday 2 September

Last views of Castle Stalker before we left - and it started to get cloudy!

.. and our last Thai breakfast!

Four hour drive through the great glen to our final stop at Annan. Misty over the top but the sun came out again for us.

A walk round the town and then a short drive ove to Powfoot beach 

Interesting tidal swimming pool built by the Victorians.

Delicious fish and chips for tea then an early night.

Friday 3 September

.. and home after 1055 miles - though we seem to have left the sunshine at the border.. 😂