Na rathaidean fada, lùbach tro Chuimrigh agus Alba

Today’s trivia is on Oban:

• Oban has a population of 8,000. In summer it swells to 30,000! Hence I travel off season.
• McCaig’s Tower was commissioned by banker John Stuart McCaig for £5,000 to serve as a memorial to his family and a winter project for local builders. But you knew that from yesterday’s blog🤔
• An t-Òban translates to “The Little Bay,” referring to the town’s sheltered harbour.
• The Last Hanging was a Susan Newell (Not related), from Oban, who was the last woman to be executed in Scotland in 1923.
• Roman Abramovich, the billionaire and former Chelsea FC owner, famously visited with his family for a seafood-focused holiday.
• Oban is twinned with Laurinburg, North Carolina, USA, and has an annual student exchange program.
• A 2011 computer glitch caused £6,000 worth of Guy Fawkes fireworks to ignite at once, causing a 2-minute, massive display rather than a 30-minute one.
• It is the primary ferry hub for CalMac Ferries travelling to islands like Mull, Coll, Tiree, and Lismore.
• St Columba’s Cathedral, located on the bay, is one of the youngest cathedrals in Scotland, built in the 1930s.
• Stewart Island in New Zealand has a town named Oban, named directly after the Scottish town.
• Australia isn’t mentioned, not even Glen Innes.

Went to charge the car 1 minute away as the hotel’s charger wasn’t working, easy as. How good is that?

It snowed last night as evident on the rolling hills of the Isle of Mull.

Hutcheson’s Monument, a landmark for navigators at the north end of the island of Kerrera. It was erected in 1883 to the memory of David Hutcheson (1799 – 1880), the entrepreneurial ship-owner who operated services to the islands as D. & A. Hutcheson, which later became Caledonian MacBrayne still operate to the Inner and Outer Hebrides.

We took a drive as it was a nice looking day during breakfast, but by the time we got in the car, it wasn’t and 9 miles south it was raining, then snowing, then rain, then sun, then rain.

First stop was some standing stones, Duachy Stone Row that we couldn’t get close enough to. As on a property and too far to walk seeing we didn’t know if OK to drive through the property.

Then onto and over the Atlantic ocean at the aptly named Clachan Bridge, aka Bridge over the Atlantic.

Opposite is the Tigh-an-Truish Inn. Islanders historically used this inn to change from trousers into forbidden kilts after the 1745 Jacobite Rising.

Onwards we went to the end of the road and a wait of 30min for the Cune Ferry to the Isle of Luing.

At the Isle of Luing Store and Post Office . . .

and nearby Cullipool . . .

with Greek style white washing . . .

and Kilchattan Kirkyard cemetery . . .

and along the way . . .

We met Ben at Toberonochy building a sea wall. I said he didn’t sound Scottish. He said used to come up from Wales 40 year ago to cycle and decided liked the place. I said Ben doesn’t sound Welch, he looked at me and said Ben Lomond 🤔🤔.

He was building a sea wall becuase 18 months ago big seas eroded the beach sune due to storms and he didn’t want to lose the harbour. I said I’d love to help but got a car ferry to catch. He looked at me blankly. A lot of people seems to do that when I make a statement!

We stopped at the village of Ellenabeich on the Isle of Seil, hence why the Atlantic Bridge is called that, where there was free 🅿️ and 🚽 at the Oyster Bar, well actually the 🚽 cost us a Belhaven Black stout, a baileys and two cauliflower & Stilton soups. All which were pretty good. And while we were warm and snug in the bar, it started to snow at sea level.

We saw most of the island by what can be done by car. With a bike or on foot there’s lots more to do, like cycle, walk and see wildlife according to kind-of locals from the Midlands we met who were staying on the island.

While wating for the return water crossimg . . .

We had all four seasons while on the Isle of Luing and Seil. Sun, rain, snow, warmish, OKish, coldish with the predictable and relentless westerly Atlantic winds.

We’ve been a bit lazy for dinners, first time.we haven’t ventured past the hotel’s restuarant. The food and services has been pretty good. And as they say, when you’re on a good thing, stick to it!

Sunset was looking promising at the supposedly best seat in the restaurant . . .

Today’s travels . . .