Glen Lochy Forestry car park, Dalmally

A cold one last night, probably our coldest night of the trip. We were warm when in bed, but venturing out was a tad chilly, so tonight we will put the silver screens on Marge's windows to help insulate us from the forecast 2c. That's cold! Keen to move down into Tobermory early, we were up just as the sun rose, the views stunning in the moody early morning light.

There's something about being in a town as it begins to wake up in the morning. There were already a few vans in the car park, even though overnight stays are not allowed. Marge tucked in between them, Angela went in search of pastries and hot chocolate, whilst John cooked his very healthy breakfast of fried eggs with cheese spread and marmite on toast. As the sun jostled for the poll position amongst the threatening rain clouds the light in the harbour was amazing, and Angela managed to take a photograph of the coloured properties along the waterfront reflecting in the almost still water.

Today we were leaving the island, but after taking showers at the marina the sun was out and warm, and Angela wondered if we should stay another night. But deciding we should end this short visit to Mull whilst on a high we set off to Craignure arriving just in time to board an earlier ferry than we were booked on.

Marge nestled being a German registered land rover defender we'd seen yesterday at Loch Na Keal. As always Angela felt sad to be leaving the island, but nothing lasts forever, and we needed to head south, especially as John's concerns about his daughter being in hospital were growing.

So tonight, just us and Marge once again at a forestry site near the main road to Tyndrum, surrounded by the mountains and Munros that tower above us.

Behind a single track railway line. Who, or what will wake us in the morning Marge? A passing lorry, or the trundling two carriage train, hopefully not the cold!

Kilchurn Castle car park, Dalmally

This morning we were pleased to be welcomed by the sun, we'd waited a long time. But it wouldn't last, by eleven it was raining. Because of the terrible weather conditions we have sadly decided to leave Mull, but we'll return hopefully next year. Being just a minute away from Craignure ferry terminal we visited the ticket office to change our return ferry crossing form tomorrow to today.

Booked on the five o'clock sailing we then drove to Tobermory half an hour away to buy a little shopping and eat yet more delicious fish from Hooked.

The lady who owns the fish and chip shop recognised John, her being a fellow landrover owner. She commented that she'd never known it to be so wet on the island, which is exactly why we have to leave. We love Mull, but when you can't walk out everyday and really enjoy it it's no fun.

Not surprisingly, Oban was wet, and a little windy. As we disembarked another group of vehicles filled the lanes waiting to embark. The weather during the Sunday on Mull is going to be glorious, then it looks like it's back to the same old. On the ferry returning to Oban there were quite a lot of Americans. We engaged in conversation with the couple nearest to us. They'd been over to Iona today, where the weather had been grim. Unfortunately these people book their trip to Scotland in advance, unlike us, who can choose what we do, and when, they just have to 'go with it'. Sensing their disappointment, Angela showed them the photos she took of Tobermory and Iona almost a week ago, when it was warm with blue skies. They were pleased to see them, it brought a whole new dimension to their visit. Less than an hour after leaving Oban we arrived at tonight's stop. At Kilchurn Castle car park. Cost ten pounds a night. Downside road to one side, and railway line the other. But the road and railway quieten at night, however the first train leaves Oban at six in the morning. That'll be our wake up call  then Marge.

(photo from our visit April 2026)

Kilchurn castle is on the banks of Loch Awe, and even though we've visited before, it would be nice to be able to walk out in the morning to view it again before leaving. That of course depends on, you guessed, the rain.