Scotland, Spring 2019. Day 8

Finally an improvement in the weather today.  As we had a long drive home the next day, Heather and I decided on a walk up Glen Fyne from the head of the Loch.  We donned water proofs to begin with but as the day went on the weather improved.  A splendid river runs through the glen and we enjoyed watching dippers busily feeding.  The path led past a hydroelectric power station, like the one at Cruachan, built into the mountain.  There is a lochan at the 5oom contour which presumable drives the turbine.  After passing through some gravel workings the valley became quieter and much more remote with excellent views up the glen to Beinn Bhuidhe at 948m and 216 in the munro hierarchy and the Arrochar Alps on the other.  We soon reached a point where the river narrowed and there was a fine bridge crossing it.  We started to notice people on the track crossing the river and when we reached it there was a constant stream of people.  We knew that there was a large beer festival back down at the Fyne Ales Brewery by the main road.  At first we though it was people out the stretch their legs; but this many?  We discovered that as part of the beer festival there was a walkers' bar 3 miles up the valley from the festival.  Good thinking!!!  We continued as far as Glen Fyne Lodge and then retraced our steps to the bridge before returning on the opposite side of the valley past the brewery.

After our walk we drove over and down to Lochgoilhead through some wonderful oak woods and on alongside the loch to have a look at Carrick Castle which stands impressively on the loch side.

Soon it was time to return as I needed to buy the ingredients for our final evening meal together before heading home the next day.  I prepared steak and chips with a whiskey, cream sauce followed by the piece de resistance, the scottish specialty of cranachan: layers of toasted oatmeal(I used granola), fresh raspberries and whipped double cream blended with heather honey and whiskey.

Scotland, Spring 2019. Day 6

A thoroughly wet day with heavy rain all day.  We had a very lazy morning before launching to drive down the far side of Loch Fyne to Otter Ferry and the Oystercatcher bar and restaurant.  We turned off the main road back to Loch Lomond onto ever smaller roads along the side of the loch.  We kept meeting lots of groups of wet and bedraggled cyclists and found even more at the pub.  We discovered that they were taking part in a two day charity ride from Arran to Aberdeen.  We really felt for them, but fortunately the forecast was somewhat better for the 'morrow.  Just before arriving at the pub we stopped to watch a flotilla of male eiders.

Lunch at the Oystercatcher made the best of a dismal day for weather.  We all opted for Cullen Skink or smoked haddock chowder and excellent it was.  We took an alternative route home and called that the day.

Scotland, Spring 2019. Day 4.

A rest day today.  A relaxed start to see the Munro bagging team depart.  A few regrets there.  Even last year I would have been with them - although there are lots of contours very close together so maybe having an easy day was the better option.

Heather and I pottered into Inveraray where I had a doctor's appointment for an INR test.  Fortunately it has gone up!!  Only a week to go now before cardioversion - fingers crossed.  Following this we explored the town and I enjoyed looking at and photographing The Vital Spark.  A semi derelict old Clyde Puffer, this old lady is awaiting restoration and was the inspiration for Neil Munro's novels based on its exploits: The Tales of Para Handy.  These books also formed the basis of both a 1960s and 1990s television series.  Munro was actually born in Inveraray.  Coffee and scone followed before our return to Stonshira House.

While the remainder of the party went off for an excursion I remained behind to play at being a bird photographer again.  I had a very pleasant time down on the loch side, now at low tide.  I was delighted with my shots of a heron dealing with a large fish and enjoyed watching goosanders, common sandpipers and oystercatchers.  Sand Martin's were skimming the water surface over the mouth of the small river that flows into the loch here.  I also managed to pick up a tick which I fortunately found before it bit and dug in; later in the week I discovered on that had bitten and dug in!!

At 5.45 I feel a preprandial beer coming on!!

Scotland Spring 2019. Day 2.

We woke to gloomy skies and rain today.  Not unexpected   but least it is a travelling day.  Hopefully things will improve later and into next week.  We enjoyed a very comfortable night and are looking forward to a Full Cumbrian breakfast.  After our meal last night we enjoyed a short, damp walk.  Looking at the community notice board we had to admire what a thriving social intinerary was available with a whole range of interesting activities going on.

After an excellent breakfast we drove back over the M6 to meet up with the rest of the team at Larch Cottage Nursery in the Eden valley.  This is one of the best nurseries we know and hands had to be kept firmly in pockets to avoid spending lots of pennies.  After coffee we headed north, again enjoying the verge-side flora: water avens, buttercup, gorse and broom.  Driving alongside Loch Lomond the hillsides and verges were a haze of blue, the bluebells still in their prime; at home they are finished!

It didn't seem long before we arrived at the sharply angled entrance to Stronshira House.  What a magnificent old Scottish house it is located right on the side of Loch Fyne looking across to Inveraray on the far shore.  High mountains surround us and from Arrochar there were stunning views of Ben Arthur, The Cobbler.  Unfortunately the weather has closed in and Inveraray has vanished into the murk.

Exploration begins tomorrow!