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Published: July 10th 2014
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Au Revoir to France and Hi to Scotland
There was a delay in the plane’s departure from Charles de Gaulle airport, so our arrival in Glasgow was two hours behind schedule. We spent our time reading and using the free Wifi available in the airport and finally it was boarding time. We knew we’d arrived when we heard beautiful lilting Scottish accents and saw familiar street names, Buchanan, George, Queen and Argyll Streets. Our hotel, “Alexander Thompson”, was an old hotel, but had clean spacious rooms and a huge Scottish breakfast, so we couldn’t ask for more.
Getting the tickets for Oban and the ferry to Mull, was easy. The trains all leave from Queen Street Station, which was only a ten minute walk away. We bought our tickets the afternoon we arrived, so we'd be organised and know what we were doing. The ticket was a combined train and ferry so we wouldn't have to waste time buying the ferry ticket when we got to Oban. The train trip took three hours and out of the windows on both sides, we saw beautiful scenery, lochs, mountains, rivers, villages and bridges as it moved along.
Sitting with us
were five women from Glasgow, who were out for a good time on Oban. They were celebrating one of their birthdays and within minutes out came tablecloths, champagne, glasses, mini sandwiches, chips, nuts and assorted nibbles. We were invited to share champagne and food and toasted to Bernadettes’ birthday, which was the least we could do. There was much story telling and laughter as the alcohol took its course. They drank 5 bottles before Oban came into view. More partying was planned for that night. We left them and went on our way to Mull, but they had set a high standard in train travel which we intend to continue.
The train was late so we had to hurry to catch the ferry and it moved off as soon as we were aboard. Here, the ferries wait for the train and we found out that the buses wait for the ferry, so everyone is looked after.
What a beautiful trip as the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry just slid along past the township of Oban and her Victorian houses and fishing boats, into the Forth of Lorne and on to Mull. We glided past rocky foreshore that tumbled down to
the sea and green mountains with misty peaks and distant views of valleys and more purple hills tumbling away into the distance. There were isolated houses dotted along the coast and the occasional yacht sailed past. Duart Castle made a beautiful backdrop as we reached Craignuir. The “Tobermory Topper” was there to take the travellers to Tobermory and the next part of our trip.
Tobermory is a beautiful fishing village with houses along the seafront painted in different colours. A fish and chip van stands on the pier and provides a wide selection of local seafood, mussels, scampi, prawn, mackerel, all with chips and squashy peas if you want them. Tobermory was the setting for a children’s TV show, Balymory and is picture postcard perfect, where the colourful houses are reflected in the water of the bay.
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