Getting back to Glasgow (for the Pitt lads) and Edinburgh for Kevin takes most of the day. We could have taken the ½ hour flight via Loganair to Glasgow but they hacked us off when they dropped our credit for a flight they cancelled during the covid stuff. Besides, easy ways are boring, eh?
Our route is complex. Three ferries, a single-track, and a bit more driving.
It’s an early leave from the Islay Hotel in Port Ellen to catch the morning ferry. Our driver Lucos picks us up at 6:30 so we are in the vehicle loading queue and are ensured a boarding spot for the MPV.
Ferry #1 took us from Port Ellen on Islay to Port Askaig, Kintyre. We’re on the ‘Hebridean Isles’, a Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) ferry. It’s a honker. 20+ cars and a number of trucks, including a fuel truck, along with foot passengers. The Hotel was kind enough to prepare a packed lunch for our journey. Alas, the rocket scientists amongst didn’t think to take our lunches out of the van as the vehicle parking area on the ferry is inaccessible during transit. The passage was fantastic. Sunny weather with great views of Islay, the Paps of Jura, the Isle of Gigha & the Kintyre Coast. Some fine country.
We had a short drive to the next ferry terminal in Tarbert. Tarbert is a very attractive harbor – considered Scotland’s finest natural harbor. The area was claimed as part of the Viking kingdom by ‘Magnus Barefoot’ in 1098. Sounds like a great guy to share a pint with. Robert the Bruce constructed a castle stronghold above the village, now known as the Royal Castle of Tarbert. We had time for a walk to the ruins. Sheep on the grounds.
Ferry #2 got us from Tarbert to Portavadie further up on Kintyre. We’re on a smaller vessel, the ‘Isle of Cumbrae’. The Cumbrae is also a CalMac ferry. Evidently, Portavadie was once a small oil town when same was discovered there. That’s a ghost village now, replaced by a well-respected, high end resort in the area.
The road from Portavadie to our next ferry terminal in Dunoon is mostly single track. Lucos handles things well. About halfway to Dunoon we stopped at the Tighnabruaich Viewpoint. Just amazing views – the Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde, Loch Striven, Loch Fyne. Once in Dunoon we lunched at ‘Hunters Quay Holiday Village’. More than a little bizarre and more than just a caravan park – it’s great fun for the whole family! Here’s their online sales pitch: “Keep the wee ones entertained with Archery, Crazy Carts or Panna Soccer, then let them run riot in Rusty’s Funhouse.” Have to admit that the food was good – especially my steak pie!
Ferry #3 took us the short ride from Dunoon to Mcinroy’s Point, Gourock, on the mainland. The ferries keep getting smaller – this was the ‘Sound of Scarba’, part of the ‘Western Ferries’ fleet.
Lucos dropped the Pitt lads off at our lodging at the Ashtree House in Paisley, near the Glasgow airport. He generously agreed to take Kevin to Edinburgh where he’s staying and departing from. Adios Kevin – it’s been good fun!
Bill, Don, & I dined at the hotel in the company of a good size group of folk travelling together. Evidently, they are on a ‘Mystical Tour of Scotland’ and the tour stays at the hotel a few times a year. Our hostess, Maureen, solemnly told me they were witches.
Our final dram of the golf trip (sans Kevin) was Benromach 15. A fitting end.
Bill has an early departure to the airport so Don and I bid him farewell before retiring for the evening.
Comments (2)
I have to ask, did they turn you into a newt? I cannot believe I missed that encounter.
Boy, the conversation at dinner was really bizarre! I about died when Maureen gave me the witches line. She looked pretty serious!