Blogs from Argyll, Scotland, United Kingdom, Europe - page 2

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Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Argyll » Oban June 11th 2018

If you ever find yourself in the Argyll and Bute region of Scotland, spend some time in the beautiful town of Oban. If you know your whisky, you might have heard of a distillery with the same name. The name actually comes from the Gaelic word “t-Òban”, which means “Little Bay”! What an appropriate name, especially when you consider the picturesque horseshoe-like harbour. We loved the charming harbour town. A week allowed us to explore the area at a leisurely pace, but we were never bored during our stay. Listed below are several reasons why you must visit. McCaig’s Tower This structure is impossible to miss when you’re in town for two reasons. First, it dominates the local scenery since it is perched on Battery Hill. Second, it bears a striking resemblance to the Colosseum of ... read more

Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Argyll » Kilmelford June 10th 2018

Although we discussed the route for this ’fling’, Bill pretty much left booking accommodation up to me. My criteria was B&Bs where possible but definitely no ‘starred‘ hotels. The result is that Bill was never quite sure what we are staying in next! The Glencoe log cabin I think was a delightful surprise for Bill and a relief for me! The Culfail Hotel pleased Bill no end. I definitely found a winner here!! It is a delightful family-run hotel. Everyone is so friendly. We had breakfast and dinner here each day not to mention a few drinks in the bar. It is the quintessential typical Scottish country hotel as one might imagine. We checked in Fri 8 Jun. Saturday was ’Garden Day’. We went via Lochgilpheal. What a lovely little village. So friendly. After coffee, we ... read more
A cute garden in Lochgilphead
Off to Hogwarts
Our view outside the Muneroy Tearoom

Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Argyll » Ballachulish June 8th 2018

Tues 5 Jun after leaving the Isle of Skye, we headed towards Balmacara. It’s a wooded estate managed by the National Trust for Scotland. As we weren’t really inclined at that point to set off on foot exploring the woods, we decided to drive on to Plockton, the Jewel of the Highlands. Very quaint little village. Ended up staying for lunch. A 3 hour drive to Glencoe just past Fort William included one accident (not us!), an oversized vehicle transporting three windmill vanes which impressively stopped traffic both ways (their journey would have been slow!) and a number of roadworks. We arrived at the Glencoe Independent Hostel about 4:30pm. We checked in to our little log cabin. So cute!! We were so lucky to be in the shade. We drove down to the Clachaig Inn for ... read more
The Clachaig Inn Glencoe
Billy at Signal Rock
Billy and Ben Nevis

Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Argyll » Oban February 12th 2018

Colonsay, KiloranBay, to see if I can add pictures. We actually start our trip on Monday next.... read more

Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Argyll » Isle of Mull July 17th 2017

Scotland 3 - 2017 25th June – 15th July Continuing our travels through Scotland Islands - On to Mull and Iona, with hopes of finding otters and white tailed eagles! The ferry crossing from Armadale, south across the Sound of Sleat to bustling Mallaig on the mainland, took just twenty-five minutes allowing us time to meander the coast road past tiny coves with white sandy beaches, through elegant Arisaig and on to Glenuig for our evening meal at the Glenuig Inn. This lovely little village has its own community shop with free WiFi, a village hall, a bus shelter, a smokehouse, a museum, B&B at the Inn, and its very own red telephone box! There are still a number of red telephone boxes in the Highlands, those remnants of British village life where a penny gave ... read more
Glenuig
Ardnamurchan Point
Iona Abbey from the ferry

Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Argyll » Oban July 9th 2017

Today was a wash out, consistent rain fall, so no cycling. We have taken in the wind and rain swept Oban, had a delicious cup of hot chocolate in the amazing deli. We just had to hike up and see the amazing view of Oban from McCaig's tower ( in the pouring rain ) Returned to the Oban Bay Hotel absolutely soaked, so there was only one option open to me (notice the me) was to have a drink. Looking forward to a weather change and our Journey to the Isle of Mull tomorrow.... read more

Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Argyll » Oban July 8th 2017

Well this is it, 0612 hours, Saturday 08th July and we are certainly not wide awake. Car fully loaded with Beverley's cases and bags etc... oh and my small case of course. Bikes attached to the bike rack, having said that I couldn't find the misplaced (lost!) bicycle lock but without further ado, we are on our way. After many stops for loo breaks and coffee, and a fuel top up, we have arrived at Oban, which is a little breezy but the sun is shinning and Beverley has her mint chocolate ice cream. We have checked into the Oban Bay Hotel, medium sized room (that is so typical of a mans opinion...it's small) but it'll do, we don't have a sea view to Beverley's disappointment (never pleased, even more grumpy now she has been bitten ... read more
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Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Argyll » Oban May 7th 2017

Day 11 - Our last day in Scotland. Tomorrow is a travel day. We will leave Craignure and head for a tour of Duart castle. Family still living here. Beautiful location on a point just into the loch. Have to head for the ferry to Oban. Longest ferry ride yet and was as smooth as butter. Ferry ride into Oban https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I1pRoaTGzeI&feature=youtu.be Had lunch in Oban at a restaurant called Eeusk. Spectacular seafood. Mark this one on the list. Did some shopping and a tasting at Oban Distillery which is right in town. Snagged a bottle here! Back into the car and we head for the town of Ballochon Loch Lomond and the Tullie Inn. The service here at the Tullie Inn was not up to the high standards that we have experienced since we landed in ... read more
Canons guarding the approach to Duart Castle
Ferocious guard dog...
Shaggy Coo

Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Argyll » Kinlochleven April 21st 2017

Wind, starker Wind, Gegenwind. Eisiger Regen frontal ins Gesicht. Ein guter Start in den Tag... Alle total vermummt in Kapuzen und Schals. Wie ein Zugpferd mit Scheuklappen kann man weder rechts noch links schauen. Auch nach oben wird von der Kapuze versperrt. Die Aussicht des Morgens: leicht verschlammte Wanderschuhe auf Kiesel mit Pfütze. Ab und zu wird dann doch mal ein kurzer Blick nach oben gewagt. Der Regen trifft die Brille, alles beschlägt. Durchhalten. Das Sichtfeld wird klarer. Berge, ziemlich hoch und wolkenverhangen. Weit auseinander, getrennt von riesigen U-förmigen gletschergeformten Tälern. Alles grau-braun. Irgendwann erreichen wir den Fuß der Devil's Staircase. Damals waren englische Red Coats in Kinlochleven stationiert. Der nächste Pub war das King's House Hotel (gibt es schon seit dem 18. Jahrhundert) auf der anderen Seite des Bergs. Betrunkene Soldaten bei Nacht u... read more
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Europe » United Kingdom » Scotland » Argyll » Kinlochleven April 20th 2017

"Crack on!" Das sagt unser Guide immer, wenn es nach einer Pause wieder losgeht. Sehr passend für heute am langen 20 Meilen Tag. Weiter und immer weiter bis die Beine irgendwann ein Eigenleben führen und von selbst weitermachen. Am Green Welly Stop in Tyndrum ging es heute Morgen los. Regen. Überhosen. Keine große Kamera. Einen Hügel hoch und auf der anderen Seite wieder hinunter. Es war schlammig heute und man musste aufpassen, nicht den Abhang hinabzuschlittern. Ungefähr nach einer Stunde Laufzeit begegnet uns seit Tag drei immer dieselbe Familie. Vater, Mutter und zwei Töchter im Teenageralter. Sie überholen uns immer. Dabei sieht aber nur der Vater glücklich aus. Er legt ein ziemliches Tempo vor und seine drei Damen versuchen zu folgen. Nach dem Hügel ging es für WHW Verhältnisse sehr flach weiter. Im Tal zwischen wolkenverhangenen ... read more
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