Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan

After yet another night of heavy rain the day began dry, and by nine the sun was out. Hooray! Right on cue the tour mini buses arrived filling the parking area. Angela, observing from the Boxio once again was fascinated by the Chinese visitors who posed and snapped. Instagram would be red hot later.

We were away by nine thirty ourselves. First stop the Commando Memorial at Spean Bridge. We always stop here when we pass by. The snow frosted the top of nearby Ben Nevis enhancing the spectacular vista. The coaches arrived, and within five minutes left. Just time for couple of quick photographs. We always linger a while here and always walk around the memorial garden and always notice memorials for members of the SBS (Special Boat Service) who are based at our home town of Poole. A visit here always makes us reflective and a little sad. Next stop Aldi, Fort William. At last affordable shopping. 

By midday we were passing the Glenfinnian monument. We pulled into the car park reluctant to pay the five pound fee. But decided we should so we could walk up to the viewpoint and down to the monument. The area has become popular since the Harry Potter film, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, when the Hogwarts Express crossed the viaduct here. We enjoyed our time here, basking in warm sunshine whilst taking in the fabulous views, even a pair of Firecrests taking food to a nest . We'd waited along time for a day like today.

Pushing on we headed to Glenuig, where we used the showers at the village hall. We've stopped here a few times now. Today a choir was practicing inside. Their voices sounded beautiful. One of the lady singers came out to admire Marge. Then all of the choir came out to continue their practice outside. Including the lady who designed the beautiful mosaic we always admire above the front doors. Driving once again across Ardnamurchan we were afforded views across to Eigg with the Cuillin mountains on Skye in the background. We love this area. Green, peaceful and unspoiled. 

This evening we are staying at Kilchoan. Home to Strictly Come Dancing Winner 2022 Hamza Yassin. And yes we've seen him. And yes he waved to us. Angela of course was a little star struck. 

Tomorrow Mull. The ferry leaves from here, so we'll be up bright and early. We wanted to return to this area before heading home, but didn't expect it to be so soon. But deciding to move back to southern Scotland was a good move. This evening is the first time we've been able to sit with our back door open, take in the beautiful view and enjoy almost silence. Bliss.

Ardtoe, Ardnamurchan

Early this morning all was quiet. No wind. No rain. No bleating sheep. No high pitched, sharp, incisive calls from the normally noisy oyster catchers. They must have sensed the presence of the white tailed eagle which circled and then settled itself on a rock a little offshore.

Then a cacophony of noise from all, sounding the alert. John was cooking his omelette at the time. Caught up in the moment he quickly secreted his hens eggs away. Behave, it's the poor sheep who need to worry, their lambs are on the menu. 

Earlier Angela had taken a walk out through hundreds of iris on the point of flowering, the vast carpet of yellow that would appear would rival a field of French sunflowers or a English meadow of buttery yellow buttercups. 

But today was the day to leave the beautiful scenery and amazing wildlife of Mull behind. Once again we drove into Tobermory, managing to secure a space on the ten vehicle one o' clock ferry to Kilchoan on Ardnamurchan. Problems with the loading ramp meant we'd have to reverse off, turning part way up the slipway. 'I will guide you, don't worry', said the crew member. Well that'll be O.K. then. And it was. Still a little unnerving though.

Ardnamurchan feels like the forgotten area of Scotland. Out on a limb, it tends to be passed by as visitors head straight for the Great Glen and Fort William. An area we'd rather avoid. But this little Scottish jewel is not for the faint hearted. The roads are particularly narrow with lots of twist and turns and blind summits and sheer drops. Not an area for the 'panic vans, as Angela likes to call the hire campervans. But the area never fails to delight us and we were very glad to be back here.

The little bay we are staying across the road from at Ardtoe is literally at the end of the road. There are three other vans here and a German couple who this evening have set off with their camping gear and inflatable kayak to camp overnight on one of the nearby beaches inaccessible by vehicle. A micro adventure. Why not? As the saying goes. ' You only regret what you don't do in life'.