Day 21 Wednesday 30 April
Hard to believe we’ve been here nearly 3 weeks now - slow down time! Did the coastal walk this morning. Watched the ferry set off for Isle of Mull. We met this couple from Perth (Aus) who were going on the ferry this morning. Saw them this evening and Kate and William caught the same ferry over to Mull! Had to wait whilst they boarded first. It’s their 14th wedding anniversary and they are spending it on Mull - what are the chances!
Saw the Dog Stone - legend has it that this was where the ancient heroic warrior of Celtic myth Fiona MacCumhail (Fingal) would chain his massive dog Bran. As it circled and struggled it wore a groove around the base of the stone with its colossal chain and they say you can still hear its ghostly howls! Science tells us that the Dog Stone is made from rock known as Conglomerate, deposited about 415 million years ago!
Walk around the coast was beautiful, so sunny, calm and quiet. Popped into Dunollie Castle for a look but that’s all we did, look! It is on a top location overlooking the Firth of Lorn and was built in 1247.
The Dunollie Lighthouse built in 1786, must have been for little bitty ships, it’s so small!
Up into Dunollie Woodland, lovely walk at top end of town. Views of Oban were just beautiful.
Where we are staying in Oban. We are in the last white townhouse on first floor, amazing harbour views from our window! A great place we’re staying at!
On to the Isle of Seil. Crossed Clachan Bridge and had a drink at the Tigh and Truish Inn - couldn’t resist the name! The old inn was used by islanders after the Jacobite rising of 1745 to change from their trousers into the forbidden kilt when returning to the island.
The Clachan Bridge - ‘the bridge over the Atlantic’ was built in 1791. The rare purple flower growing on the bridge is the Fairy Foxglove.
The little town of Seil, very pretty.
On to Kilmartin, what an amazingly ancient place. The church had these grave slabs that were collected from the churchyard, , they show the Gaelic warrior culture that dominated the west highlands. There are 23 of them. They start from the 1200’s to the 1700’s.
There are also seven in the Poltalloch enclosure
Walked on down to the Cairns from 4,000 years ago! There are 6 of them but only checked out three!
Onto the Standing Stones. They were raised by Bronze Age farmers to mark the movement of heaven. It is claimed to be one of the most important lunar observatories in Britain. Recent analysis supports the idea that the stones mark where the moon rises and sets at key points in its 18.6 year cycle. There are also alignments with the sun. These stones may have been erected 3,200 years ago!
Might need to look closely to see the Standing Stones!
Onto to Carnasserie Castle. Amazing place, free to explore some five floors still standing! Built in the 1560’s Carnasserie was one of Argylls finest Renaissance residents.
Back to Oban to watch the sunset! Another amazing day. Off to Ayr tomorrow. Loved Oban, it is such a lovely area!
Geez, so much waking!! By the time you get home you’ll have walked the distance from the very top to the very bottom of the UK!!
ReplyDeleteAlmost feels like it now! Have to walk off the pastries for morning tea! 😫
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