Tuesday 27th May
Travelled to Troon to catch the ferry to Brodick on the Isle of Arran. Our first ferry and I saw my first gannet. We couldn't get onto our site early so Mike drove up to Lochranza. We were able to stop at the castle there and have a walk around it. It was derelict but had written plaques about how people lived back then.
The views around this area are amazing but it maybe the first of many such views on our travels. We also saw a seal just resting on a rock and looking at our gawking faces, most probably feeling amused.
We walked into Brodick and noticed the Ormadale Hotel were doing a quiz night so we decided to go there for a meal. It was lovely sitting in the ‘glass house’ although it was quite run down, which added to its charm. We didn't stay for the quiz as it didn't start until 9 o'clock.
Our site, a spa resort, was not brilliant and the area near us smelt of sewage. We didn't sit out. We did, however, go out a lot.
Wednesday 28th
It was a beautiful day so we did the Fishermans Walk, a circular walk through the grounds of Brodick Castle and along the boardwalk on the beach. We kept seeing pink raspberries and found out that they were Salmonberries. They were a bit tart to taste though.
It was such a lovely day that I went for a paddle. The water was cold but it was lovely and refreshing.
I had to do it again further along our walk as part of the path had flooded with the incoming tide. We broke the walk up to have a cuppa and also to collect money so we could do a bit of shopping. When we finished the walk, in Brodick, we treated ourselves to a pint in the Old Goat pub. Such a lovely day and very idylic walking through the woods in the castle grounds and walking along the beach in the late afternoon.
We clocked up 6 miles that day.
Thursday 29th
Very dreich day. Back to Lochranza to get the ferry to Claonaig on the mainland.
It was a tiny single track road from the ferry to the main road but we followed other vehicles most of the way. Our next stop was at Oban 79 miles away. Enroute, we saw the beginning of the Crinnan Canal and even saw yachts , under motor, traversing it. It did look strange to see sail boats travelling through fields.
The site at Oban was up a steep brae (hill) with single track road, low bridge and a hairpin bend. The campsite was literally someone's yard who, we later found out was not doing the site anymore so we felt honoured that we were able to stay and only for £10 a night. The views were amazing and there was a walk around the woods too, which I did.
I came across the Cathedral of Trees, a memorial space. I walked around it and came back in at the far end, looked to my right and saw a Red Deer. It was so still I thought it was a statue made of wood and headed towards it. When I looked up it had vanished. It was a sight to behold, if only I'd realised it was real at the time.
Friday 30th
We decided to walk down the hill into Oban. We tried to find a track which ran alongside the golf course which is a quicker route but missed it and ended up walking through the golf course! The golfers didn't seem to mind but we kept an eye out for their balls.
In Oban, we met up with an old work mate of Mike's when he was in the Navy. It was good to catch up with him. Wisely, we later took a taxi back up the hill.
Saturday 31st
We caught the ferry at Oban for Mull. It was our first small ferry.
Mike's had worries about grounding the back of Daisy going on & off the small ferries but we had no problems at all. While we were waiting, we were convinced we saw a puffin fly past but can't be certain but it certainly had short stumpy wings. We went out on deck and so glad we did as we saw dolphins!
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| Our first Highland cows and the castle in the background |
On arrival on Mull, we went to Duart Castle for a look around. It was a lived in castle by the current Chieftain Lachlan Maclean. Some rooms were open for visitors to look around which was quite interesting.
Our site was at Salen and Mike was able to select a pitch which looked out over the sea. It was lovely. We did a short walk around the shore. It was very wet but we managed to keep our feet relatively dry. Apparently, there was once a hospital for infectious diseases somewhere on the shore but we couldn't really make out where. Such a lovely day again!
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