Claire's Highland Fling 2nd Leg - Balloch to Salen, Isle of Mull

 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.

I would walk 500 mile and I would walk 500 more...

  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!  

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!

Claire's Highland Fling, 1st leg - Home to Balloch

Tuesday 20th May 2025

    We were itching to set off! It has felt a long time coming. The neighbours came out to see us off and wish us well on our trip. They are so excited for us 😁

Here's to Retirement!

    The journey to our first stop was uneventful, luckily.  It was 150 miles and we had a short stop en-route.  We are overnighting at The Swan Inn at Whiston with a meal at the pub.  Beautiful weather.  Fingers crossed for more of this where we're headed.   Large carpark so no trouble finding anywhere although we did arrive fairly early.  Food was OK.  Not sure I would stop there again; litter in the carpark and mediocre food and not much around to do - not even any walks (unless you started down a main road without any paths).  The dawn chorus was lovely though, and then the cockerel started!

Wednesday 21st

    We set off for our next overnight stopover - Tebay Services.  Mike came off the M6 after Preston and on to the A6 for a more interesting journey.  Some lovely villages.  We passed through a few that we had visited whilst on our barge trip last year on the Lancaster Canal.  One village had huge Easter Eggs mounted outside a few shops (like Christmas trees would be).  No idea why.  It did look rather strange.  We saw a Lidl in Lancaster and thought we would go in but we couldn't find the car park!  Despite going around it 3 times so in the end, we didn't bother.

    Tebay Services is lovely but the shop is very expensive.  We had a £3 voucher included in the overnight fee so I bought a pot of Wild Flower honey.  The stay was an experience but again, not one we would repeat necessarily as we could hear the M6 at night still.

Thursday 22nd

....... and over the border into Scotland!  Our first stop was at the Grey Mare's Tail waterfalls.  I took a wander partway up the mountain (hill) to get a closer look.  It was a very steep climb but I wouldn't say the falls were that impressive, probably due to the dry weather we have recently had.  

    Following that, we were lucky enough to be able to see an old work colleague of mine.  It was good to catch up and his wife made some excellent cookies ..... and I've got the recipe now!  Our stop for the night was at Roslin and was a lovely quiet site.  

Friday 23rd

   I went to visit Roslin Chapel (in the Da Vinci Code film) while Mike was packing up and was very surprised to see so many tourists.  Coach loads.  It spoiled the experience somewhat.  The chapel is beautiful with so many carved stone pillars, window frames and roof supports.  They were very impressive.  I was disappointed not to be able to take photos (especially as I forget things so quickly).  As a ‘pick-me-up’ Mike suggested that we go to see the Kelpies.  So pleased we did!  They are very impressive when up close to them.  I was moved to tears (silly really and not sure why).

Me getting up close and personal ;)

    From there, we crossed from East to West Scotland along the A811 and along the Stirling Straights.  From here, we recognised many places from when we lived up this way.  It was a good reminisce. Our home for the next few nights is Lomond Woods at Balloch.  A fully serviced site.  It is a large site and not one we would normally frequent but we wanted the services - and laundry.

Saturday 24th

    We took Daisy out to Dumbarton, Helensburgh and Garelochhead.  Dumbarton for a part to repair a drawer that had collapsed due to some of the road conditions, Helensburgh for a look around as we used to live there and whilst walking around bumped into a work colleague from the Navy when we lived & worked there, 42 years ago!  We had lunch in a really small café, Craigard Tearooms, which was exceptional!  Then onto and through Garelochhead as we used to live there.  By the time we got there, the rain was really coming down so couldn't see much, including the beach at the head of the loch where I went wind surfing a long time ago.

Sunday 25th

    We took our bikes out along the bike trail and went to Dumbarton again for more parts for the drawer repair.  The bike trail was along the river all the way. 

    It was lovely!  So refreshing - until it rained that is - but it is what it is.  We had a rest and lunch at the Birch Cafe.  It was packed!  ...and on a bank holiday Sunday too!  Our ride back was rain all the way and cold wind.  We stopped at the shop in Balloch and bought a small bottle of whisky then had hot chocolate and a whiskey chaser when we got back.

Monday 26th

     Laundry & DIY day ... not a lot happened today but also chilled.  Horrible weather so best indoors.

Charity Barn CL, Minchinhampton Common

 Friday 9th to Sunday 11th May

   Set off slow time.  Good trip.  No hold ups but road works in Cirencester.  Arrived around 3.20pm.  Set up really easily and didn't need any ramps.  Waited for Carol and John and Maria and Adrian.  Carol and John arrived first in their caravan. 
   We helped them set up then we had to head over to the pub as our table was booked for 6.30.  C&J had a poorly dog, Ginny, who had recently had an operation so she had to be pushed around in a doggy pushchair.  John had his mobility scooter but we were still able to go cross country (across the common) to get to the pub. The kites had been flying but unfortunately they had gone by the time we passed by.
   Adrian and Maria arrived later and came straight over to the pub. The food was excellent! And good company! It was a such a lovely evening and wonderful weather. Beautiful sunset.  We were all knackered so went to our own vans and to bed.

Saturday 10th

    Another beautiful day.  Glorious sunshine and not a cloud in the sky.  We decided to catch the 11.40 bus into Stroud so had a while before that time.  So a few of us took the dogs for a walk around the common.  It's a lovely place and we could walk for miles.  We were out for about an hour.
    Back to the site and get ready to walk to the bus stop which is just at the side of the road at a place called Tom Long's Post. Apparently it was where a person (Tom Long) was hanged in days gone by.  Carol and John drove in and we met then in town.  Had a mooch around and had something to eat from the market (actually not that brilliant). Worst pork pie that Mike's had - Peggy (M&A's dog) loved it!  Carol and John made their way back in their car while we went to catch the bus.  The same person who spoke to Maria about their dog when we got off the bus was also at the stop again and spoke again this time about their pets but to me!
    The sun was still shining as we sat around having a drink and later BBQ'd our dinner. A lovely and filling affair. Once we'd cleared away we had a game of Petange (boules). Mike won!  I hope we didnt make too much noise for the other caravan at the site.  Sitting around it did get a little cold.  John asked Carol about a blanket.  It was in the caravan. ‘Its a dog blanket’ says John, ‘and its got holes in!’  ‘Well it's clean.  It'll be right’ from Carol. A little while later there was banter about John's dog blanket.  We had a really good laugh, and not just at Johns expense!  A wonderful evening but it really got cold so by 9pm we all went to our respective vans.

Sunday 11th

    Heard voices so got up and found the others sitting around having coffee and chatting. We joined them then when we realised they'd already eaten.  It was so lovely just sitting in the sun and chatting and having a really lazy morning.

     Around 10.30, we started packing up slow time.  I didn't bother cleaning the sinks etc as I want to give it a good once over before our big trip in 9 days!
    All set we set off in convoy and more or less stayed like that all the way home.  It was a wonderful weekend away with friends and such a beautiful clean and quiet site. Fantastic!
x