Loch Na Keal

We were up early this morning ready to leave in good time for Fionnphort where we would catch a ferry to Iona.  Most of our fellow campers were up early as well, including the man in the tent next to us, who asked John if he could supply him with a detailed weather forecast before he began erecting his tent yesterday. Not really, signal here on Mull is terrible, and when we do get some weather is not top of the list. This is Scotland, it may rain. As we left we stopped at the cafe to use the outside toilet. The lady who ran the cafe was concerned we would empty our toilet in it, but we would not, we know the etiquette. She informed us that some people empty theirs into the loch. Come on, have some respect! They are probably the same people that she told us chased the Otters. We say, if you're these people, please stay at home! 

The drive to Fionnphort was beautiful. The scenery stunning, real life pictures of a coffee table book of Scotland. Our early start paid off, and after packing some lunch we caught the 11.45 am ferry to Iona which was just a ten minute crossing away.

The first four minutes of the crossing consisted of a safety announcement which began 'in the unlikely event', by the time it had finished we were ready to man the lifeboats. The weather was bright and clear and from Mull we could clearly see the abbey which dominated the island. We had taken our Brompton bicycles across with us, so on arrival pedalled along the road which passed by the abbey to the white sandy beaches we'd seen from the ferry.

Here we sat and ate our lunch taking in the views towards Staffa and the Treshnish islands. After lunch we walked between the coves. At one, a man in his sixties photographed his 'young bride' in a very skimpy white bikini as she posed against the rocks and in the sea. Is that dental floss she's wearing, asked John. Looking around you could sense all the other women saying, real women don't look like that. Good job Marge wasn't with us, she would have had something to say. 

Returning to the ferry we stopped at a small chapel next to the Abbey.

It was the oldest building on Iona, built in 1100. In the graveyard was the grave of the labour politician John Smith.

Then we stopped at the old nunnery. A large ruined building, beautiful in its own way. Then a quick hot drink bought at the craft shop before boarding the three o' clock ferry.

We couldn't believe it, we'd been on the tiny island of Iona for three hours. Footfall on the island was quite light, but judging by the amount of coach parking we couldn't imagine what it must be like in the height of a normal summer, with visitors from abroad. The islanders must be glad when the season ends. The weather has been kind to us today and as the ferry headed back across the view back towards Iona was that of a picture postcard.

Tonight we needed to stay somewhere central on the island as tomorrow we are going to Tobermory. On route to Loch Na Keal we saw a group of vehicles parked at the side of the road alongside Loch Scridain.

A family of otters had been spotted at around 1 pm and they were still about. We could see the three young ones playing in the water just off the rocks. From then on our journey became interesting. We were on an island B road which turned into a helter skelter of a road with a sheer drop on Angela's side and warning signs about rock falls on John's. All around were very large rocks from previous falls. Keep driving Marge. No stop, now we had to negotiaate a cow and her calf. We had to agree it was our most nerve wracking drive so far. 

But the drive was worth it. Marge is settled with two other vans beside the loch overlooking Eorsa, an island of wildlfe. Take a breath everyone. Glass of wine Marge? Our overnight spot is beautiful in its simplicity. And to top it, a fantastic sunset, our first of our trip. It has been a long day, but a good day. Don't you agree Marge?