Day 22 Thursday 1 May

 Left Oban this morning to travel to Ayr. Loved Oban, it is such a pretty place! Who can pick this weather but? Stunning warm day yesterday and cloudy, bit of rain and bloody cold today! Go figure!

Driving along and saw a sign for St Conan’s Kirk. Stopped in for one of the most amazing experiences so far - this building was just superb! The Kirk was completed in 1930 but its story begins in the 1880’s. It was built by Walter Douglas Campbell, the younger brother of the first Lord Blythswood.

Apparently his mother found the journey to the nearest parish church tiring so he decided to build her a church nearby! The original church was built between 1881 to 1886 but Walter decided to create a much larger nobler building - and he certainly did that! It is magnificent.

St Conan’s Kirk

The monument in front of the Kirk dedicated to the Gordon Highlanders

Inside the Kirk - the photos just do not do it justice!

An original window frame from Iona. 

The Cloister Garth - has no real purpose but they were common features in the old abbeys of Scotland and Walter Campbell was determined to build one for St Conan’s.

These heavy oak beams are from two famous old battleships, The Caledonian and The Duke of Wellington

Seats in the Kirk

St Brides Chapel - the figure on the tomb is of Walter Campbell, the founder of the Kirk. He is interred beneath the Chapel

One of the seats behind the chapel

The Bruce Chapel built to commemorate the victory of Robert the Bruce and the Earl of Douglas against John of Lorne. It is a life size figure (he must have been a big tall man!) and the small ossuary beneath the monument contains a bone of the Bruce taken from Dunfermline Abbey

The altar

Dragged ourselves away from the Kirk and on to Kilchurn Castle. Walked through a field of highland cows to the castle to find it closed for repairs! Bit frustrating, don’t know why they don’t put a sign at the beginning of the long walk to the castle!

We were so close to the cows- it’s the one on the left! 😂

This one was not impressed!

The castle

Onto Inveraray, another pretty place by the lakes

Another war memorial, nearly every town you pass through has these wonderful memorials to the highlanders

Inverary Castle

Inveraray Inn

Entrance to Inveraray 

Inveraray Jail

Bridge to cross when leaving Inveraray

Main Street of Inveraray

The Bell Tower - contains Scotlands finest bells, the second heaviest ring of ‘10’ in the world! Whatever that means! 

Then passed by  the Bonnie Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond! We took the high road, some took the low road but we were in Scotland afore thee (or them)

Firkin Point on Loch Lomond - firkin hell it was pretty!

Firkin again!

And again

 Unplanned stop at Dumbarton Castle - perched way up high on the cliffs! Had to climb 673 steps - felt every single one of them! 

When William Wallace defeated the English at Stirling Bridge in 1297 Dumbarton Castle was held by an English garrison who fled within a few days. William Wallace imprisoned his captives here holding the English knights for future exchange with Scottish nobles held by the English. Eight years later Wallace himself was brought here after being betrayed and it was from here he was taken to London for his bloody execution!

Mary Queen of Scots was moved here for her protection in 1548. She was only 6 days old when she became Queen of Scots after her father James V died in 1542. It has such an interesting history this place!

Walk along the wall

Gary walking up steps to highest point of castle

Hiding in a tower!

View of Dumbarton from top of castle

Walking around edges of castle, right on cliff edge

Up to the tower

View of Glascow from Dumbarton Castle

Walking around  edge of castle

Up another set of steps to guard tower

Top of the steps looking down

Another view of Dumbarton

Top of castle

Inside the gun powder housing

Dumbarton Castle from front

Onto Ayr and where we are staying. Went for walk to seafront and found another castle ruin just hanging off the side of the cliff!

Ruin on side of cliff - nothing anywhere to say what it was or who it belonged to!

Our accommodation for the night in Ayr 

Sun setting behind the ruins

 

From the beach

Side view from the top

The biggest jellyfish we have ever seen on the beach! Ginormous!

Gary just looked up the castle ruins history. It is called Greenan Castle, the street we’re staying in and was built in the 12th century. It was initially a fort and then converted into a Bailey style castle. It was owned by Earl of Ross. Fell into disrepair in the 17/18th century. 

Off to Morecombe tomorrow