Oban to The Isle of Skye

Good day yesterday....but rain and clouds for the most part.  Saw Neptune's Ladder, the Glenfinnan Monument and Viaduct (the bridge tht the Hogwart's Express went over), then to Mallaig and a ferry to Skye.  A quick run up to Talisker Distillery then to our B&B and off to dinner at Saucy Mary's.  Very spotty Wi-Fi here and long to upload photos so I'll try again tonight.  Cheers!

Low tide and cloudy

Along the route on the A828, we came around the corner and I saw a castle out in the middle of a loch, which turns out to be Loch Linnhe.  Out there was Castle Stalker.....so very incredible to see!!

Artistic version....

We hit Fort William around 11:00 and then took the A830*, also known as "The Road to the Isles" on our way to Mallaig.  On our way we stopped at Neptune's Ladder which is a system of "locks" to move ships through the area.

*DICLAIMER - there's a very good chance that I have the roads messed up in these descriptions.  I'll go through and correct any mistakes at a later time....sorry.

Annette, Gin and Jeff on the lower lock

Boats at the bottom of the lock....notice the 

rain coming in the distance.

a view from the top

Annette and Jeff in front Loch Shiel

Gin and I at Loch Shiel

The Glenfinnan Monument

The hike up to see the viaduct and railway

The Glenfinnan Viaduct - where the Hogwart's Express runs....

After our visit to Glenfinnan, we were off to Mallaig to catch our ferry to the Isle of Skye, the largest of the Scottish islands.  There were some photo opportunities along the way....

...but not so many that we would be late to our ferry.  We arrived an hour plus early so were were able to switch to an earlier ride across to Skye.  While waiting, we had a quick bite and a pint at The Garden Restaurant.

Many, many blooms....

Our ferry to The Isle of Skye

Annette driving on to the ferry

30 minutes away is the Isle of Skye!

The start of our trip on the ferry.....

About ten minutes in.....

Since we were early we decided to try and make our way NW to visit the Talisker Distillery.  It closed at 5:00PM and it was going to be close.....and the drive there was quite interesting.  From the "main" road (which was a tight two lane road, we turned onto a one lane road with small "passing areas" where you'd pull over and wait for the other car (our tour bus) to pass....not a road I'd like to take in the dark!  I will try and post a video or the drive in the next day or so.  We made it with 15 minutes to spare, so no time for a tour, but we were able to use out Classic Malts passports to get a sample tasting before they closed for the evening.

Talisker....a wonderful whisky.

From the distillery we made our way to our home for the evening....The Blairdhu House.  We checked in and made a ten minute walk to town (in the rain) to Saucy Mary's for dinner which was MUCH better than the night before.  I had LocharonVenison Sausages and Mash with an Onion Gravy with a pint of Cullin Black Cask Ale, and Gin had a bowl of Skye Seafood Chowder and Sweet Chili and Lemon Mussels.....SOOOOO tasty!  

 The Blairdhu Guest House

Saucy Mary's....sorry for the spots/raindrops on the lens

That's it for Tuesday's report.  Yes....I'm two days behind with this....I hope to get caught up tomorrow.

Edinburgh to Oban

Yesterday began our journey north up the western coast and the day started out OK.....a bit cloudy, warmer than Sunday yet still breezy.  We headed up through Glasgow on before turning off the M8 to A82 through the Loch Lomond National Park.  It was a beautiful, but somewhat "tight" drive along the loch....meeting lorries and caravans along the way, usually at blind corners.  I'm VERY glad that Annette was driving!!  From there we kept heading north....looking for photo opportunities for me, but the clouds (which we were diving through) and rain weren't cooperating, and there was really no place good to stop on the road.  Up ahead I saw a huge waterfall way up the side of the hill so we planned to stopped ahead.  Perfect timing as it was the Drovers Inn where we planned to stop for lunch!!

The Dovers Inn....one of the oldest pubs in Scotland (est. 1705)

the inviting front entrance

What a GREAT PLACE!!  Old, full of character and charm as well as a collection of oddities all over the place.....

The bear that greets you as you enter....

The fox in one of the smaller dining rooms....

LANDSHARK!!

A rare Socttish werewolf....

It was a great place to stop (suggested by our daughter Kirsten, who stopped here on her trip while hiking across Scotland earlier this spring).  My only disappointment was that they ran out of the pea and ham soup that I had my heart (and stomach) set on.  Still....it was a great lunch and spot for a break.

Caledonian Best....refreshingly good.

I'll finish this up later....need to pack and get out onto the road to make our way up to the Isle of Skye.  Toodles til tonight!

I'm back....been having a lot of issues with Wi-Fi and uploading photos.  Here a a few more from yesterday.

                                   I'm home.....time for a wee dram or two

Nicol, our excellent tour guide

The Classic Malts, special Distiller's Edition bottlings

My future place of employment....wishful thinking!!

Here are some photos from our walk around Oban.....

The gang outside of Drovers (sorry, this photo is out of order)

Our place for the night

In our sitting room

After our relaxing cocktail hour, we walked into town for dinner.  Not sure where exactly to go, we wandered around until we found someone to give us a recommendation and to The Creel we went....not the best meal ever.  My fish cakes tasted like they came from a box, and Jeff's prawns were like rubber.  The girl's meals weren't much better, but two steaks and a bottle of wine for 20 pounds wasn't bad.  

After that we went off to find a pub to visit, and I wanted to go to the place that "poured the best pint of Guinness in Scotland".  Instead, we went to Foley's Irish Music Pub and listened to Irish Folk music.  Visited with some locals, and I charmed a Caledonian's Best bar mat from the bartender for a kiss on the cheek (she was a wee bit heavy and had only three teeth.  Seriously).  :)  Stopped at Coaster's on the walk back to our room, and then The Latty after that where I spent most of my time talking with Andy who was in town for his parent's 50th wedding anniversary.  A great guy, was in the Royal Navy for 16 years, and at sea for the past 14 years after that.  Jeff, Gin and Annette finally had to drag me away so we could head home....all in all a great night!

I'm Tired.....

Drove to Oban today with a stop along the way at the Drovers Inn for lunch.  We were supposed to stop at Kilchurn castle for a walk, but it was pouring down rain.  Got to Oban, the rain somewhat cleared, went and toured the distillery, then off to town for dinner at The Creel.  It was "OK" at best....went to Foley's Irish Music Pub for a nightcap, then on to ??? another pub on the way home, and then a stop at yet another for a final nightcap.  I'll get you the names tomorrow.....too tired too type now.

Our First Venture "Up North"

It was a long day yesterday, with a lovely evening spent at Sam Russell's home to celebrate the 40th birthday of his son-in-law Mick.  There we were introduced to Sam and of course, Mick, who was the guest of honor along with his wife.  We also met  Jimmy and Sheila Johnston, Jim McCready, Ilse McMillan, and Lord John and Lady Barbara Ward....all good friends of Alan and Jette.  We had a wonderful evening that ended with a show of fireworks (not to mention cake, cheese and crackers, and cocktails).  It was a LATE night though....I didn't get to bed until almost 2:00AM.

We were up early this morning for a full Scottish breakfast with bangers, bacon, eggs, toast and coffee....all cooked expertly by Alan and Annette.  I found this to be "different"....

An odd name for bacon don't you think??

After breakfast it was off to Falkland to see Falkland Palace (which unfortunately, was closed when we got there).  We walked a bit, stopped in a few shops then moved on.  From there we went on to St. Andrews to see the cathedral, the castle, the "old course" and take a walk about town.

Streetview of Falkland

A view of Falkland Palace - this used to be a Royal Hunting Lodge

Old headstones

Wall detail

The main entrance

As you can see, the day was cloudy....no rain, but very breezy and a wee bit cool by the sea.  The temp on my phone said 59F, but I don't think that was correct.  Even I had to put on a jacket to stay warm today!  Once we left the cathedral ruins, we took a walk down to the "Old Course.  On our way there, I found something very interesting.....I apparently, am a Saint.  Please remember this when I return....I expect to be treated as such.  

This is SOOO fitting, don't you think??

We found many a door that looked like this....beautiful greenery!

Once we got to the "Old Course" at St. Andrews, I found it slightly odd to see people wandering all over the course....pushing strollers, walking their dogs, taking photos on the green....not what I expected from to see at such a classic course.  So I had Jeff and Annette pose on the "leader's bridge" on the 18th hole.  I see a Christmas photo here....

Annette and Jeff, our guides for the trip (well, Annette is)

The Clubhouse at The Old Course....those people on the green are NOT golfing, but instead are taking photo opportunities

It was time for lunch.  We had originally planned to take lunch in Anstruther at a fish and chips shop, but it was getting late and we were getting a bit rumbly in the tumbly.  We walked back into town and found a few different pubs, but The Central Bar caught our eye.  It caught mine for sure as I noticed that they served "real cask ale".....I'm in!  The fish and chips here was HUGE....Gin, Annette and  I all shared one order (which also came with mushy peas....YUM!)

The whisky selection

Our cask ale selection....I had a Claverhouse Red Ale and Gin took a Bitter and Twisted Blonde

Happy customers.....

From St. Andrews we made our way on to Anstruther - and drove right through it.  It's not that it's that small, but there was no sign saying "Welcome to Anstruther" like every other town we had seen.  My abilities as a navigator were now being questioned by the two SLEEPING in the back seat, but I don't mind.  I KNOW that I'm directionally challenged!  We turned around in Pittenweem and drove back to park. It was now even more windy and even colder....but we're on vacation so we walked around town, which didn't take very long as the town is not all that big!  It's a coastal sea town, and a popular spot....on nice sunny and warm days which we began to understand quite quickly.  We walked by a rather uninviting looking store front and passed by a window....then walked back.  That's a fireplace!  We took a step inside the Soar Alba Go Braugh pub and decided to warm up.  It was a lovely place....one that I'd frequent plenty if it were nearby Eagan!

How could one say no to this??

Doesn't that look inviting?

Warm and Cozy now....

A few photos of the sea side town and off we went to Pitterween and back on to Edinburgh for a nice home cooked dinner of lamb, asparagus and gratin potatoes.

 The walk out to the beach at low tide....

The warning we had when parking the car.

Once again it's late....11:30PM and everyone is in bed, but I want to keep this going so I keep record of our trip.  Tomorrow it's off to Oban with stops here and there along the way.  I know we've got a castle ruin that we'll be hiking to and we'll be taking lunch at Drover's Inn....highly recommended by our daughter Kirsten!  Once again, I know I didn't get EVERYTHING down, nor did I post all the photos that I took.  There'll be time for that once we get home....in three weeks!!  Until tomorrow......Cheers!