Saturday, August 8, 2009
Day 13, August 8th, Glasgow
We got up early, finished packing and ate breakfast. We fueled up the vehicles and said goodbye to the Bridgend Hotel. We drove through Bowmore and on down to Port Ellen. We returned the car keys at the ferry terminal and bought tickets for the ferry to Kennecraig. The ferry is another great way to travel; food and coffee are available and lots of places to sit. A little over 2 hours later, we landed at Kennecraig and got on the bus for Glasgow. This ride was nearly 4 hours, and then we changed busses for the 500 bus to the airport and the short walk to our hotel. We had a final dinner abroad at the hotel, and tomorrow morning we get on the plane to return home. That's it for now, we will write up a post script when we get home and share some of the things we've learned about travel over here. It has been a great adventure; an absolutely wonderful trip.
Friday, August 7, 2009
Day 12, August 7th, Bridgend, Islay
We headed for Jura this morning after breakfast. A few miles up the road, on to the ferry, and across Islay Sound.
There are only a little over 200 people living on Jura. We drove up to Jura House Gardens. We walked the trails down to the sound and back up to the gardens.
This was another old Roman walled garden at one time, and the walls are still there. They have done amazing work in the gardens, all with only 2 full time workers.
Before we left, we had coffee, tea, scones, and other goodies from the Tea Tent while feeding some of the birds that came to visit. There is a different kind of Robin here, smaller than the ones we are familiar with.
We then headed up to Craighouse to visit the Jura Distillery.
We only had a couple of minutes to spend if we wanted to catch the 12:30 ferry, so we got a couple of souvenirs and headed back. We got to the ferry terminal to be 7th in line for a ferry that holds *maybe* 7 cars. We got squeezed on by folding in the mirrors and parking within a fraction of an inch of the Royal Mail van next to us.
We drove to Bunnahabhain Distillery next and ate lunch at the picnic tables there. We got a tasting in the gift shop and got a souvenir. We are worried about our weight limits on our luggage, so we regretfully left the Whisky behind.
On the way back we pulled into the Finlaggan site. This is where the McDonalds, Lords of the Isles, had one of their strongholds which was destroyed by King James IV in 1494.
Back at the hotel, we all got together at a table outside and just enjoyed the beautiful afternoon. We had dinner at the hotel. Jack finally had Haggis, Neeps and Tatties (you can't return to Scotland unless you do). It was pretty good, actually.
Tomorrow we return our rental vehicles in Port Ellen and get on the ferry for Kennecraig. There we get on a bus for Glasgow.
There are only a little over 200 people living on Jura. We drove up to Jura House Gardens. We walked the trails down to the sound and back up to the gardens.
This was another old Roman walled garden at one time, and the walls are still there. They have done amazing work in the gardens, all with only 2 full time workers.
Before we left, we had coffee, tea, scones, and other goodies from the Tea Tent while feeding some of the birds that came to visit. There is a different kind of Robin here, smaller than the ones we are familiar with.
We then headed up to Craighouse to visit the Jura Distillery.
We only had a couple of minutes to spend if we wanted to catch the 12:30 ferry, so we got a couple of souvenirs and headed back. We got to the ferry terminal to be 7th in line for a ferry that holds *maybe* 7 cars. We got squeezed on by folding in the mirrors and parking within a fraction of an inch of the Royal Mail van next to us.
We drove to Bunnahabhain Distillery next and ate lunch at the picnic tables there. We got a tasting in the gift shop and got a souvenir. We are worried about our weight limits on our luggage, so we regretfully left the Whisky behind.
On the way back we pulled into the Finlaggan site. This is where the McDonalds, Lords of the Isles, had one of their strongholds which was destroyed by King James IV in 1494.
Back at the hotel, we all got together at a table outside and just enjoyed the beautiful afternoon. We had dinner at the hotel. Jack finally had Haggis, Neeps and Tatties (you can't return to Scotland unless you do). It was pretty good, actually.
Tomorrow we return our rental vehicles in Port Ellen and get on the ferry for Kennecraig. There we get on a bus for Glasgow.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Day 11, August 6th, Bridgend, Islay
Wow, what a day. After breakfast in the hotel restaurant, we headed south to the Mull of Oa. We drove the single track road to Port Ellen and then west to the parking area.
On the way we saw a Heilan Coo.
It was supposed to be .8 miles to the monument by the straight path. We checked it out, but the way looked like it was a marsh and we didn't want to walk through that. The other way was longer, but we took it. We ended up having to walk through a pasture past cows and sheep. We weren't sure it was the right way, but we spotted a marker post with an arrow on it in the pasture. If we hadn't taken this path, we would have missed some of the most impressive scenery yet.
The Highlands were scenic, but this was spectacular. The pictures do not do justice to the views we were seeing. You had to hear the waves crashing on the rocks.
We spent too much time gawking at the views along that path and spent an hour getting to the monument. The monument itself was erected by the American Red Cross to honor the American sailors who died after their ships were sunk by U-Boats during World War I.
It was here that Bill did the second of the 3 headstands that he has planned (still don't know why).
The tower sits on a point that is a sheer cliff down to the ocean. This picture was a little hard to do, looking straight down.
On the way back we spotted the markers for the short way to the car park and took that. It was wetter, but not too bad.
From there, we went back through Port Ellen and east to the Ardbeg distillery. We ate the sack lunches we got from the hotel at the picnic tables outside and then went on the distillery tour and the tasting that followed. It was very interesting and tasty.
Continued north on the single track road to the Kildalton Cross, circa 800 a.d. The church walls are still standing, but there is no roof to protect the dozen or so so stone markers on the ground and in the wall "inside" the church.
Dinner tonight: baguettes with cold cuts, cheese and a wonderful mustard from the Bowmore Distillery, fresh tomato and cucumber slices, semi-cold beer from Islay Ales, and a dessert of fresh blackberries with shortbread and creamy yogurt. Sitting in Katie's Bar now, the Calders 70 is cold and smooth.
On the way we saw a Heilan Coo.
It was supposed to be .8 miles to the monument by the straight path. We checked it out, but the way looked like it was a marsh and we didn't want to walk through that. The other way was longer, but we took it. We ended up having to walk through a pasture past cows and sheep. We weren't sure it was the right way, but we spotted a marker post with an arrow on it in the pasture. If we hadn't taken this path, we would have missed some of the most impressive scenery yet.
The Highlands were scenic, but this was spectacular. The pictures do not do justice to the views we were seeing. You had to hear the waves crashing on the rocks.
We spent too much time gawking at the views along that path and spent an hour getting to the monument. The monument itself was erected by the American Red Cross to honor the American sailors who died after their ships were sunk by U-Boats during World War I.
It was here that Bill did the second of the 3 headstands that he has planned (still don't know why).
The tower sits on a point that is a sheer cliff down to the ocean. This picture was a little hard to do, looking straight down.
On the way back we spotted the markers for the short way to the car park and took that. It was wetter, but not too bad.
From there, we went back through Port Ellen and east to the Ardbeg distillery. We ate the sack lunches we got from the hotel at the picnic tables outside and then went on the distillery tour and the tasting that followed. It was very interesting and tasty.
Continued north on the single track road to the Kildalton Cross, circa 800 a.d. The church walls are still standing, but there is no roof to protect the dozen or so so stone markers on the ground and in the wall "inside" the church.
Dinner tonight: baguettes with cold cuts, cheese and a wonderful mustard from the Bowmore Distillery, fresh tomato and cucumber slices, semi-cold beer from Islay Ales, and a dessert of fresh blackberries with shortbread and creamy yogurt. Sitting in Katie's Bar now, the Calders 70 is cold and smooth.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Day 10, August 5th, Bridgend, Islay
We flew to Islay this morning. The views of the mainland were mostly blocked by clouds, but we did get some pictures of the coast and the islands. There are sand beaches on the west shore of Islay.
We got a shot of the Mull of Oa and the monument there as we passed over.
We arrived a little after 9:15 and got our rental cars, a Volkswagon van and a Volkswagen Golf. It's been interesting driving on the left. The driver is getting numerous reminders. We wandered around Bowmore for a while and then had lunch at the Loch Side restaurant. It was here that Bill got a dram of Bunnahabhain 12 year. He thought it was pretty good.
Then we headed to the Bridgend Hotel and got checked in. More skeleton keys. This is a neat old place too.
We walked to the Islay Ales brewery and sampled some of the beers there. They make some good ones. On the way we saw a sign for the community gardens with a welcome to come in and walk around. We found that they are growing lots of fresh produce for the community.
After we got back to the hotel, We sat down in the bar at the hotel to make plans for tomorrow. We ended up going back to town for dinner - the hotel dinners were larger than anyone wanted. We split up between the Loch Side and an Indian place. Back to the hotel for a nightcap. Jack wanted to try the Whisky that Bill had, but found that the hotel bar was out of it. They did have the 18 year, so that made a more than acceptable substitute for only a little more money (the 25 year was 24 pounds for a dram, so we didn't try that).
Tomorrow we are going to the Mull of Oa and then on to Ardbeg Distillery for a tour.
We got a shot of the Mull of Oa and the monument there as we passed over.
We arrived a little after 9:15 and got our rental cars, a Volkswagon van and a Volkswagen Golf. It's been interesting driving on the left. The driver is getting numerous reminders. We wandered around Bowmore for a while and then had lunch at the Loch Side restaurant. It was here that Bill got a dram of Bunnahabhain 12 year. He thought it was pretty good.
Then we headed to the Bridgend Hotel and got checked in. More skeleton keys. This is a neat old place too.
We walked to the Islay Ales brewery and sampled some of the beers there. They make some good ones. On the way we saw a sign for the community gardens with a welcome to come in and walk around. We found that they are growing lots of fresh produce for the community.
After we got back to the hotel, We sat down in the bar at the hotel to make plans for tomorrow. We ended up going back to town for dinner - the hotel dinners were larger than anyone wanted. We split up between the Loch Side and an Indian place. Back to the hotel for a nightcap. Jack wanted to try the Whisky that Bill had, but found that the hotel bar was out of it. They did have the 18 year, so that made a more than acceptable substitute for only a little more money (the 25 year was 24 pounds for a dram, so we didn't try that).
Tomorrow we are going to the Mull of Oa and then on to Ardbeg Distillery for a tour.
Day 9, August 4th, Glasgow
Day 9, August 4th, Glasgow
We got on the road today at about 10:00AM after our final breakfast at Kilcamb. After a quick stop at Morrison's, a large grocery store, We drove to Glenfinnan to look at the monument to Bonny Prince Charlie. The prince assembled an army at this location for one last attempt to drive off the British and put the Stuarts back on the throne of Scotland.
We continued on and stopped again at the Drover's Inn for lunch and then on back to Glasgow. We had to take some time to do laundry, and then we had snacks and a few beers in Sue and Linda's room. Tomorrow we leave for Islay.
We got on the road today at about 10:00AM after our final breakfast at Kilcamb. After a quick stop at Morrison's, a large grocery store, We drove to Glenfinnan to look at the monument to Bonny Prince Charlie. The prince assembled an army at this location for one last attempt to drive off the British and put the Stuarts back on the throne of Scotland.
We continued on and stopped again at the Drover's Inn for lunch and then on back to Glasgow. We had to take some time to do laundry, and then we had snacks and a few beers in Sue and Linda's room. Tomorrow we leave for Islay.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Day 8, August 3rd, Strontian
We slept even later this morning and made it down for breakfast after 9:00. The guides were due to pick us up by 9:30, but they were a little late too. We headed off for the western tip of the Ardnamurchan Peninsula to hike some trails along the coast. The tip of the peninsula is the western most point on the mainland of the UK. There is a light house there.
The drive was again on narrow one lane roads that got smaller as we went. In the U.S. these would be called "The Sidewalk", yet here are shared by anything from sleeping sheep to large lorries carrying building materials. Our first stop was at what used to be a small fishing village, probably Viking. It was here that Bill performed the first of his three Scottish headstands. (Not sure why.)
We hiked past grazing sheep down to the site.
There was a small walled cemetary overgrown with bracken and nettles, but we managed to clear enough of it away to see the grave stones. They were very old with some interesting carvings on them.
We continued on to Sanna and started walking along the shore towards the lighthouse. The water was the color you would see in the Caribbean.
Some of us walked up to the top of the lighthouse, 180 feet above the sea. Nice view on a very windy day, with surf crashing into the rocky shoreline.
Headed back to the Kilcamb for our third and final multi-course dinner. We're sitting in the lounge with coffee and wee drams, writing these few final comments about a great stay in the Highlands.
The drive was again on narrow one lane roads that got smaller as we went. In the U.S. these would be called "The Sidewalk", yet here are shared by anything from sleeping sheep to large lorries carrying building materials. Our first stop was at what used to be a small fishing village, probably Viking. It was here that Bill performed the first of his three Scottish headstands. (Not sure why.)
We hiked past grazing sheep down to the site.
There was a small walled cemetary overgrown with bracken and nettles, but we managed to clear enough of it away to see the grave stones. They were very old with some interesting carvings on them.
We continued on to Sanna and started walking along the shore towards the lighthouse. The water was the color you would see in the Caribbean.
Some of us walked up to the top of the lighthouse, 180 feet above the sea. Nice view on a very windy day, with surf crashing into the rocky shoreline.
Headed back to the Kilcamb for our third and final multi-course dinner. We're sitting in the lounge with coffee and wee drams, writing these few final comments about a great stay in the Highlands.
Day 7, August 2nd, Strontian
Today it will have been one week since we left home. Seems like many times longer than that. We have been a lot of places and done a lot of things. The wear and tear is starting to show.
Last night we had another 7 course dinner. We were better prepared this time. The portions are small individually, but add up to a huge meal. It was late when we got done with coffee (and a wee dram), so we didn't get any more updates done here.
Today we are splitting into 2 groups again; one going to Skye for some walking and then on to Eilean Donan Castle. The second group is leaving later and going directly to the castle; we should meet at about the same time. After leaving the castle we will all go to a pub in Ft. William for dinner.
Update:
We drove to Fort Augustus at the south end of Loch Ness. We took some pictures there and watched diligently for the monster. After several minutes, we called the monster a no-show and walked up to the village.
There were some nice shops and restaurants there. Kim found the sweater that she had been looking for in one of the shops. There is a canal between Loch Oich and Loch Ness with a lock system at the Loch Ness end. We watched as they brought some boats through.
We ate the lunches the hotel packed for us there and then found some ice cream at one of the shops. After that, we headed on to Eilean Donan Castle. The castle was very interesting; full of narrow stairways and many rooms. We weren't allowed to take any pictures in there. The castle was and still is the old home of the McCrae clan - if one of you reading this knows the party that would be interested in that, send her the link to this post.
After leaving the castle, we started back to Strontian and stopped at the Invergarry Hotel in Inverness-shire for dinner. There was good cask ale and good food. The seafood stew was excellent.
We got back to the Corran Ferry shortly before the last trip which would have been at 9:30. We got back to the hotel by around 10:00, got refreshed, and then went down for a wee dram. It was midnight again before we got to bed.
Last night we had another 7 course dinner. We were better prepared this time. The portions are small individually, but add up to a huge meal. It was late when we got done with coffee (and a wee dram), so we didn't get any more updates done here.
Today we are splitting into 2 groups again; one going to Skye for some walking and then on to Eilean Donan Castle. The second group is leaving later and going directly to the castle; we should meet at about the same time. After leaving the castle we will all go to a pub in Ft. William for dinner.
Update:
We drove to Fort Augustus at the south end of Loch Ness. We took some pictures there and watched diligently for the monster. After several minutes, we called the monster a no-show and walked up to the village.
There were some nice shops and restaurants there. Kim found the sweater that she had been looking for in one of the shops. There is a canal between Loch Oich and Loch Ness with a lock system at the Loch Ness end. We watched as they brought some boats through.
We ate the lunches the hotel packed for us there and then found some ice cream at one of the shops. After that, we headed on to Eilean Donan Castle. The castle was very interesting; full of narrow stairways and many rooms. We weren't allowed to take any pictures in there. The castle was and still is the old home of the McCrae clan - if one of you reading this knows the party that would be interested in that, send her the link to this post.
After leaving the castle, we started back to Strontian and stopped at the Invergarry Hotel in Inverness-shire for dinner. There was good cask ale and good food. The seafood stew was excellent.
We got back to the Corran Ferry shortly before the last trip which would have been at 9:30. We got back to the hotel by around 10:00, got refreshed, and then went down for a wee dram. It was midnight again before we got to bed.
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