Day Five

Ski-lift on Ben Nevis

Dave & Jim, intrepid mountaineers
4 go to Ben Nevis
Glenfinnan Monument on Loch Sheil
Yes, it's the Harry Potter viaduct taken from Glenfinnan
The sunset was amazing

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Day Five (L):

I'm writing this by candlelight in the conservatory so that I can 'pine marten watch' - tricky!! Anyway we needed to stock up on provisions today so we went to Fort William as the local shops at Acharacle are a little limited. Didn't realise it was so far! It took ages so everyone was famished by the time we arrived. We found a rather faded hotel that served light lunches which were fine. We did a 'big shop' at Morrison's then Jim took us to Ben Nevis: I'll let the others describe that. On our return journey we saw the most amazing sunset ever: loch, glen and mountain.

Day Five (D):

The journey to Fort William was long but the scenery was fabulous. This are is truly stunning and we WILL return!

Yes Jim took us to Ben Nevis and we used the ski-lift pods to go up the first section of the mountain, then walked a little further to about 660 m where we had fantastic views of the glens and lochs. We couldn't see Loch Ness but Jim pointed out the right direction for us. Apparently more courageous folk cycle back on their mountain bikes: we returned on the ski-lift!

Day Five (J):

An ecological disaster - the black labrador from along the bay stole the food set aside for the pine marten. Les will not rest until she has prepared a second supper. The pine marten arrived before supper was ready and he met an empty step - will he be disappointed and never return? Will Les wait up all night watching? Are we bovvered?

Day Five (T):

Yes actually, we are. In fact Les dutifully prepared a second supper in the hope that we'd attract the pine marten again. Sadly we gave up to go to bed without having seen our friend...but the supper disappeared by morning.

Earlier, near to Acharacle, we had another lovely 'wild life' surprise when we saw three young deer grazing peacefully by the side of the road. Jim backed the car up so we could watch them and take a photo. Unfortunately, although we had a really good chance to admire them, Les and I weren't quick enough with the cameras

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Once again, more photos can be found on http://picasaweb.google.com/PapamanPicasa/4GoToScotlandDay5

Day Four

Les in studious mode
The oakwoods were totally unspoilt
We liked this skeletal tree!
Intrepid hikers
View over the loch from the Sunart Oakwoods

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Day Four (T):

It's about 9:30 am and we have all slept in this morning, safe in the knowledge that we didn't have a ferry to catch, or any shopping to do. I am sitting in the conservatory, listening to the rain, looking out to the loch gently rippling, and watching three oyster catchers which have been sitting on 'Jim's rock' for ages. Every so often one of them shuffles and the one at the front goes to the back, but they stay on stoically under the pouring rain. The hills opposite are shrouded in mist today and I suppose this is the real Scotland! It's certainly what Dave and I had been expecting so we have been very impressed so far with the amount of sunshine we've enjoyed.

Day Four (L):

Well today was more typical of a Scottish holiday - rain and grey skies but thankfully not cold. We took advantage of the weather to sleep in and then read our books, magazines and newspapers, also to write a few postcards. We finally ventured into Acharacle to buy a few provisions, and had a walk through the oak woodland on the far side of the loch. Such an amazing variety of vegetation; of particular note, the mosses and lichens. I am pleased with how I managed the terrain with the help of stick and Jim!! No pine marten tonight - we were late in so missed his supper time - hope he comes during the night.

Day Four (J):

The Salen Inn provided the evening meal. We were sat in the porch area near the door so that the inquisitive members of our group were able to see all the comings and goings. An elderly couple getting into their wet weather gear made us think - is this us in 10/15 years' time? Also of special mention was the beer - '80/-' ,pronounced 80 shillings in a soft Scottish burr.

Day Four (D):

I'm not sure if 'a soft Scottish burr' was the manner in which the barman spoke or the state of our heads after a wonderful meal and a few drinks. Thankyou, friends, for allowing me to fall off the wagon (well, comparatively!!)

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A few more photos can be found if you click http://picasaweb.google.com/PapamanPicasa/4GoToScotlandDayFour

Day Three

The ferry from Kilchoan to Tobermorey
Is it Tobermory or Balamory?
The waterfall at Eas Fors
Old friends!!
Rod Stewart's castle (or so Les had us believe!)

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Day Three (L):

A brilliant day today. We arose very early so that we could catch the 10.15 am ferry to Mull when we would decide whether to continue to Iona. The weather was pretty good, warm and calm so we did enquire about visiting Staffa and/or Iona but the tourism officer in Tobermory shook her head and said that we would be too pushed for time. So we followed a route around the northern part of Mull. What a surprise - such a range of vegetation and landscape - spectacular views - mountains, verdant pastures (a small number), lochs and waterfalls - the Eas Fors waterfall was perfection. We had great success on the wildlife front today - sea-eagles - one over Calgary Beach and a pair circling the sky overhead near the waterfall - absolutely thrilling, (black) hooded crows, a stag and finally our pine-martin made an appearance at 9.30 pm licking the marmalade from the pitta bread then scurrying away with the bread he hadn't eaten on the spot. We were all amazed at the size of him - 60-70 cm in length with a beautifully soft, dark brown coat. Once again we had warm, sunny weather.

Day Three (D):

Loved the crossing this morning from Kilchoan to Tobermory. Les chatted up (or was chatted up by, depending who's talking) two 19-year old boys before we got on the ferry. Tobermory was as colourful as Balamory is on TV: a beautiful sea-front with vivid house colours. We had a lovely coffee (and chocolate for Jim) there before setting off for our journey around the northern section of the island.

Day Three (J):

To conclude the day out we decided to go for a meal at the Salen Hotel, however the place was full at 7.30pm. After booking for the next evening we decided to stay for a pint before going for fish and chips at Acharacle. To maintain our success with food - the fish and chip shop was shut - our thanks are due to Martine for creating a meal from meagre ingredients.

Day Three (M):

Courgettes, tomatoes, onions and feta cheese... call that 'meagre'!! Anyway, my 'tian' creation was lovely even though I say so myself. A good way to end our perfect day. It's very difficult to think of a favourite moment as there were so many thrills but spotting the deer, seeing the eagles and discovering the stunning waterfalls were all highlights. Walking along the very brightly painted houses of Tobermory in the sunshine (warm enough for me to take my jumper off!) was a real bonus too.

Whilst our meal was cooking we had a great long chat with Nadine who phoned us to share the fact that she's having a brilliant time in our home. All her friends are there and the weather has been perfect all day. She sounded really happy - we are thrilled.

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Once again view extra photos at http://picasaweb.google.com/PapamanPicasa/4GoToScotlandDayThree

Day Two

Senna Beach is just to the north of the ancient volcano

Acharacle High Street!
Picnic table at Ardnamurchan Point
View from the lighthouse - not a whale or dolphin in sight
Paddling at Senna Beach
The lovely clear water at Senna

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Day Two (T):

What a day! We've had a wonderful time even though there wasn't a dolphin or whale in sight! J&L took it in turn to drive us along the windy-windy road all the way to Ardnamurchan Point where we had some lovely bready buns four lunch (at a table with fantastic views) before going up the 140 steps of the lighthouse. Once at the top the guide told us about the lamps before naming all the islands we could see - pity I couldn't understand him very well!! We stayed there quite a while, enjoying the views - or pretending to watch a lengthy film about lighthouses at the Centre. I say 'pretending' as Dave thinks Jim was really having an old-man snooze... We saw quite a few French people there, which surprised me - I was dying to find out where they were from! The weather was so lovely, we decided to go to the beach at Senna with our books. It was another lovely road, very narrow with passing places and Dave and I were astounded by the beauty of the beach with very light sands, almost white, beautiful sea, very clear, against a rocky backdrop - a real paradise. We went paddling and exploring for a while before dozing/reading in the hazy sun. Bliss! Anyway I'm too tired to carry on but I'm sure someone will take over.

Day Two (L):

It was a lovely day today, good for Jim and me to return to Acharacle and check out the changes since we were last here. The bakery has moved next to the general store (extremely busy with the shopkeepers working like mad to keep the shelves full), and the baker is now running a gift/souvenir shop where Jim was able to buy another map! The baker is quite elderly now and said that the shop kept him occupied. Jim managed to chat up a very nice lady who gave us lots of advice about ferries to the islands and accomodation in the area - in great detail.

The view from the lighthouse, the most westerly point of mainland UK, was amazing across to Muck, Eig, Rhum and Mull. We were, of course, thrilled to learn that we had followed in the path of our dear Queen who had visited the lighthouse some years ago. The most surprising time of the day was the time at beautiful Senna Beach in the warmth and sunshine - we even had a little snooze and a read of our books and a paddle in the sea, not as cold as we expected. A fab day - even our pine-marten visited and ate his supper but we sadly missed him.

Day Two (J):

After a late night whisky we went out to look at the night sky - slight disagreement over whether moving lights were comets or planes. The sky was brilliant, so bright and clear.

Day Two (D):

My friends have forgotten to mention a very exciting part of our journey today, crossing an ancient volcano crater (or caldera as Jim insists on calling it!) You couldn't help but think it could wake up again after its long sleep. I don't think we'd have escaped it if it had as it was five miles in diameter. Amazing!

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For more photos, click http://picasaweb.google.com/PapamanPicasa/4GoToScotlandDayTwo?authkey=mZqSSDlRj-Y

Day One

A deer by the roadside
The Corran ferry
Les with her first G&T
T, L&J clutching their drinks in front of the cottage

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Les, Jim, Tine & I kept a diary whilst on our jaunt to Bonnie Scotland in August 2008, and these are our ramblings in blog-form for all to share (plus of course a few photos to relieve the boredom!)

Day One (T):

Nearly 6 pm and we're just savouring our first drink in our cottage by the loch: G&T for all of us except Jim who's predictably sticking to beer! (Dave couldn't bring himself to having Pastis without ice. How 'French' of him!)

We arrived sometime before 5:30 pm and had unpacked the car by 5:30, just to stop Jim (aka Akela) nagging us with unsubtle hints (eg "I've unlocked the back door" - twice!)

Although quite long, the journey was very good - Jim allowed us to stop at Kirby Lonsdale to have the traditional bacon sandwich (with brown sauce for the Brits - neat for me 'cos I'm a real connoisseuse!)

Jim also took us round a tour of untouristy Glasgow as he seemed to 'mis-interpret' Tom-Tom Jane's instructions. T'was a near tense moment - good job we're old friends... We also stopped at 'The Green Wellie' stop to have our picnic which Anna & George had lovingly prepared for us. By then we were in true Scottish landscape, Dave & I in complete awe. Just after we crossed Erskine Bridge Les stopped for a photo shoot and a deer complete with antlers was busy munching grass right by the edge of the parking area. We'd never seen a wild one so close. Oh, and by then we were also on kilt number three. So, it was official, we WERE in the Scotland Highlands.

Day One (L):

We are sitting here, drinks in hand after a good journey through Jim's and my favourite landscapes - hoping that our dear friends see the same and are not thinking, oh my God where are they taking us!!! I think we remembered to tell them how remote it was, but Tine has already mentioned 'Murder in the Dark', 'James Bond' (we saw a man - well a boy - in black driving his boat on the loch in a swanky fashion), 'The Birds' and 'Famous Five'!! It is beautiful here and for the record the sun is shining..........we await the rest of the week!

Day One (D):

Well, Les has no need to worry, it's beautiful here, well worth the long journey up here (in fact it passed very quickly in Jim's new VERY comfortable car). The last part of the journey was the most exciting with the small car ferry from Corran and then the journey through Strontian and Salen, mostly on single-track roads, luckily with very frequent passing places.

The girls are playing house, Jim has taken 'The Observer' out into the early evening sunlight and I am going to help him test the chairs (!!)

Day One (J):

Although it is very remote, with very few people, we have made friends with our neighbours - 3 or 4 dogs and 800 midges. 7:20 pm - time to go indoors.

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For more photos click on the link http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/PapamanPicasa/4GoToScotlandDayOne