Team Muz Scotland tour 2013
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Team Muz Scotland tour 2013
The idea for this year’s tour came like a thunderbolt last Christmas as we were sipping a mug (or two ) of Glühwein, but I must stress that none of us were wearing lederhosen at the time. Several bottles of mulled wine later, a plan had been hatched
Our plan was to do the Isle of Mull, plus the Mull of Galloway and the Mull of Kintyre – plus a few other places we’d forgotten on other tours, this enabled us to string a good itinerary together....
It was with some trepidation that we set off on this tour, bearing in mind the bucket-loads of snow that had only recently been deposited on the south-west corner of Caledonia. Ah well, Easter Day and the start of British Summer Time. So we’ve lost an hour already and our 7am start is, in reality, a 6am start
Cumbria
Is this the latest boil-in-the-bag lamb, but cutting out the middle-man?
Silecroft, Cumbria
Murthwaite Green Trekking Centre in the Lake District National Park. What better way for Muzette to start her holiday
Egremont castle, Cumbria
Egremont castle, Cumbria
Egremont castle, Cumbria
Bowness-on-Solway, the end of Hadrian’s Wall, a fitting bookend to our New Year tour which included Wallsend, details HERE.
Standing here 1,900 years ago and without the aid of Google Maps, I can’t imagine saying “You know what, I’m going to build a wall 80 miles that way.....”
Heading west through Kirkcudbrightshire
Carminnows bridge over Kendoon Loch, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Don’t they do proper bridges here?
Kendoon suspension footbridge, Kirkcudbrightshire
Loch Ken viaduct, from the Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Joint Railway which closed in 1965
Thanks to Furydav for the idea for this part of the tour
Big Water of Fleet viaduct from the same dismantled railway, used in the film The 39 Steps.
Sadly, the viaduct over the Little Water of Fleet was blown up by the army in a training exercise
Seems an ideal place to crack open some UmBongo (they drink it in the Congo)....
....and pitch camp for the night
Quality breakfast in progress....
....while Muzette plays in the snow in a t-shirt
Castle Kennedy, Wigtownshire
Lochinch castle, Wigtownshire, viewed over the White Loch, built as a replacement for the derelict one above instead of rebuilding it
Crossing the canal between the White and Black Lochs, Castle Kennedy, Wigtownshire
Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Balzieland Tower, Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Eucalyptus trees, Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Eucalyptus bark, Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Moss on tree, Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Filo pastry bark, Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Camelia, Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Slate urn, Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Due to the recent severe blizzards that have hit this area over the last week or so, many thanks to “Our Lady in Wigtownshire”, a fellow Bongonaught who was able to assist in the finer details of this section of the tour and also offer accurate updates of the local snow-clearing efforts
Mull of Logan folly, Wigtownshire
Mull of Galloway lighthouse, Wigtownshire
Mull of Galloway foghorn, Wigtownshire
Ireland from Mull of Galloway, Wigtownshire
Gallie Craig Coffee House, Mull of Galloway
Gallie Craig Coffee House, Mull of Galloway
Local speciality - Haggis & cheese panini, Gallie Craig Coffee House, Mull of Galloway
Gallie Craig Coffee House, Mull of Galloway
Wild-camp, East Tarbet, Mull of Galloway, Wigtownshire
Wild-camp, East Tarbet, Mull of Galloway, Wigtownshire
Castle of St John or Stranraer castle, Wigtownshire
Cobbler John Davidson’s cottage, Souter Johnnie immortalised in Robert Burns’ poem Tam o’ Shanter
Souter Johnnnie’s Inn, only recently burned out
Kirkoswald Old Church, built by monks founding Crossraguel Abbey just up the road.
Tam o’Shanter’s grave, Kirkoswald Old Church, South Ayrshire
Souter Johnnie’s grave, Kirkoswald Old Church, South Ayrshire
Gravestone, Kirkoswald Old Church, South Ayrshire
Crossraguel Abbey, South Ayrshire
Crossraguel Abbey, South Ayrshire
Crossraguel Abbey, South Ayrshire
Stonemason training, Crossraguel Abbey, South Ayrshire
Baltersan castle, South Ayrshire
Brig o’ Doon, South Ayrshire, more understandably the Bridge over the river Doon in Tam o’ Shanter
Robert Burns statue at Irvine, North Ayrshire
Eiders, Ardrossan, North Ayrshire. Eider that or something else
MV Caledonian Isles, Ardrossan – Brodick. First of just the 20 ferries this time.
We’re taking the short-cut to Kintyre, going via Arran knocks about 120 miles off the A83 route
MV Caledonian Isles, Ardrossan – Brodick
Crossing the Firth of Clyde
RFA Fort Austin heading south down the Firth of Clyde
North Sannox, Isle of Arran
Don’t mind if I do
Nice ‘n’ toasty!
North Sannox, Isle of Arran
North Sannox, Isle of Arran
North Sannox, Isle of Arran
Perfect breakfast, North Sannox, Isle of Arran
Heron, North Sannox, Isle of Arran
Wildlife spotters, North Sannox, Isle of Arran
Arran cheese, Isle of Arran
Isle of Arran
Go into Creelers smokehouse....
....and come out with crabs
Seal, Isle of Arran
Brodick Bay, Isle of Arran
Seal, Isle of Arran
Brodick castle, Isle of Arran
Brodick castle, Isle of Arran
No photography inside the castle Impressive array of stag’s heads - Brodick castle, Isle of Arran
Brodick castle, Isle of Arran - I think they were using a machine gun
Muzette playing the Bechstein grand piano in the Drawing Room, Brodick castle, Isle of Arran. Oh yeah, no photography
Brodick castle garden, Isle of Arran
Heland coo, Isle of Arran
Isle of Arran
Glen Chalmadale, Isle of Arran
Lochranza castle, Isle of Arran
Lochranza, Isle of Arran
MV Loch Tarbert, Lochranza – Claonaig
MV Loch Tarbert, Lochranza – Claonaig
MV Loch Tarbert, Lochranza – Claonaig
Arran from Kintyre
Arran from Kintyre
St. Columba’s Chapel, Kintyre
St. Columba’s footprints, Kintyre, one of which is believed to be genuine as St. Columba first landed in Scotland here, before moving further north to Iona.
St. Columba’s well, Kintyre
Keil caves, Kintyre
Mull of Kintyre – Only one mile to go to the lighthouse
Mull of Kintyre lighthouse
Site of the 1994 Chinook crash where all 29 on board were killed, the worst peacetime RAF disaster as it headed from Belfast to Inverness, a veritable own-goal to the IRA.
Ireland from the Mull of Kintyre
Whose idea was this then?
Classy tea – with added horse
Perfect spot to stop for the night, Machrihanish, Kintyre
Machrihanish, Kintyre
Machrihanish, Kintyre
Oystercatcher, Machrihanish, Kintyre
Oystercatchers, Machrihanish, Kintyre
Machrihanish, Kintyre
Lorne sausage, haggis, beans & tattie scones
Machrihanish VHF Omnidirectional Range – a standard bit of aircraft navigational kit Machrihanish is also one of the weather reporting stations if you’re sad enough to listen to the shipping forecast on Radio 4, but you have to be doubly sad and listen to the 0048hrs broadcast for the smaller stations
Foal, Kintyre
Foal, Kintyre
Seal, Kintyre
Glenbarr Abbey, Kintyre
West Loch Tarbert, Kintyre
Tarbert castle, Argyll
MV Isle of Cumbrae, Tarbert - Portavadie
MV Isle of Cumbrae, Tarbert - Portavadie
MV Isle of Cumbrae, Tarbert - Portavadie
Sound of Bute
Portavadie, Cowal
Pollphail village, built in the 1970s to house workers building concrete oil platforms but never quite took off.
On to the A8003 over the Cowal peninsula, according to The Scotsman the best scenic drive in Scotland originally built to connect Kames and Tighnabruaich with the rest of civilisation without having to go around the B8000 and the south side of Loch Fyne
Tighnabruaich viewpoint overlooking Loch Riddon and the Kyles of Bute. Cowal peninsula to the left, Isle of Bute to the right, Burnt Islands in the middle and the Isle of Bute ferry in the distance
Kilmodan Church, Clachan of Glendaruel, Cowal
Kilmodan Church, Clachan of Glendaruel, Cowal
Kilmodan stones, Clachan of Glendaruel, Cowal
Kilmodan Church, Clachan of Glendaruel, Cowal
Glendaruel House gates on the Cowal Way, the house itself was burned down in 1970
Tourist, Cowal
Dunans castle, Cowal
Dunans castle, Cowal
Minard castle, Argyll from across Loch Fyne
Inveraray castle, Argyll from across Loch Fyne
Loch Goil tree-house....
....how cool is this
Carrick castle, Argyll
Carrick castle, Argyll
Heron, Argyll
Heland coo, Argyll
“Rest & be Thankful”, the words inscribed on a stone near the junction of the A83 and the B828….
….placed there by soldiers who built the original military road in 1753, tradition has it that’s exactly what you’d do having made the long climb out of Glen Croe as you pass through the Arrochar Alps.
We took the short-cut to Campbeltown
Rest & be Thankful, Argyll
Rest & be Thankful, Argyll
Rest & be Thankful, Argyll
Spanish red – from Manchester
Rice & Bockwürsts, Argyll
Rice & Bockwürsts, Argyll
Now I’m not saying it was cold….
Lorne sausage, eggs & beans, Argyll
Rested. And very thankful
Loch Fyne smokehouse, Argyll
Loch Fyne, Argyll
Loch Fyne Oysters, Argyll
Inveraray, Argyll
Kilchurn castle, Argyll
Kilchurn castle, Argyll
Loch Awe, Argyll
Loch Awe, Argyll
Loch Awe, Argyll
Heron, Loch Etive, Argyll
Connel bridge across Loch Etive, a former railway bridge converted for road use
Swan, Loch Etive, Argyll
Dunstaffnage Bay, Argyll
Dunstaffnage castle, Argyll
Dunstaffnage castle, Argyll
McCaig’s Tower, Oban, Argyll
McCaig’s Tower, Oban, Argyll
Isle of Mull from McCaig’s Tower, Oban, Argyll
McCaig’s Tower, Oban, Argyll
Oban from McCaig’s Tower, Oban, Argyll
Photo taken in 1990 of St Columba's Cathedral & Corran Esplanade Church, we parked here in our 1962 Land-Rover
Here again 23 years later
St Columba’s Cathedral, Oban, the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Argyll and the Isles.
….might as well partake of some quality seafood while we await our next ferry at Ee-Usk, Oban, Argyll
Oysters
This is a first for all of us
Hmm, not too bad
Ditto
¡delicioso!
Mussels & chips, Ee-Usk
Oban, Argyll
MV Eigg, Oban – Achnacroish
MV Eigg, Oban – Achnacroish
MV Eigg, Oban – Achnacroish
From the Lismore ferry
From the Lismore ferry
St Moluag's Cathedral, Clachan, Isle of Lismore….
….now a Church of Scotland parish church but in the Middle Ages….
….this was the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Argyll and the Isles
Castle Coeffin, Isle of Lismore
Isle of Lismore
Tirefour broch, Isle of Lismore
Point, Isle of Lismore
The Lismore, Point – Port Appin
The PierHouse, Port Appin, Argyll
Inn Island from Port Appin, Argyll
Port Appin - The old acetylene-powered lighthouse from Yellow Skerry
Vintage Lismore
Balanced diet? I’m not sure this is what the doctor had in mind, a large Chardonnay and a 21-year-old Lismore single malt
Argyll
The new lighthouse
Port Appin, Argyll
Awaiting the return ferry
View from Port Appin to Lismore
The Lismore, Port Appin - Point
Sailean, Isle of Lismore
Sailean, Isle of Lismore
Sailean, Isle of Lismore
Sailean, Isle of Lismore
Morning campsite, Lismore
View from the top on Lismore
Achnacroish, Isle of Lismore
MV Eigg, Achnacroish - Oban
MV Eigg, Achnacroish - Oban
MV Eigg, Achnacroish - Oban
Looking east from Lismore
FPV Minna with Dunolly castle in the background.
The Minna is keeping an eye on....
....a lost sperm whale in Oban Bay....
....making sure it doesn’t get hit by a ferry
Oban Bay, Argyll
From Pulpit Hill over Oban, Argyll
Looking west from Pulpit Hill viewpoint, Oban, Argyll
Oban from Pulpit Hill, Argyll
St Columba’s Cathedral from Pulpit Hill, Argyll
Lorne sausage, haggis, black pudding, fruit pudding & tattie scones, the Breakfast of Champions
Waiting for yet another ferry
MV Isle of Mull, Oban – Craignure
MV Isle of Mull, Oban – Craignure
MV Isle of Mull, Oban – Craignure
MV Isle of Mull, Oban – Craignure
From the Mull ferry
Duart castle
Ardnamurchan across Sound of Mull
Over Sound of Mull & Ardnamurchan Peninsula
Our plan was to do the Isle of Mull, plus the Mull of Galloway and the Mull of Kintyre – plus a few other places we’d forgotten on other tours, this enabled us to string a good itinerary together....
It was with some trepidation that we set off on this tour, bearing in mind the bucket-loads of snow that had only recently been deposited on the south-west corner of Caledonia. Ah well, Easter Day and the start of British Summer Time. So we’ve lost an hour already and our 7am start is, in reality, a 6am start
Cumbria
Is this the latest boil-in-the-bag lamb, but cutting out the middle-man?
Silecroft, Cumbria
Murthwaite Green Trekking Centre in the Lake District National Park. What better way for Muzette to start her holiday
Egremont castle, Cumbria
Egremont castle, Cumbria
Egremont castle, Cumbria
Bowness-on-Solway, the end of Hadrian’s Wall, a fitting bookend to our New Year tour which included Wallsend, details HERE.
Standing here 1,900 years ago and without the aid of Google Maps, I can’t imagine saying “You know what, I’m going to build a wall 80 miles that way.....”
Heading west through Kirkcudbrightshire
Carminnows bridge over Kendoon Loch, Kirkcudbrightshire.
Don’t they do proper bridges here?
Kendoon suspension footbridge, Kirkcudbrightshire
Loch Ken viaduct, from the Portpatrick and Wigtownshire Joint Railway which closed in 1965
Thanks to Furydav for the idea for this part of the tour
Big Water of Fleet viaduct from the same dismantled railway, used in the film The 39 Steps.
Sadly, the viaduct over the Little Water of Fleet was blown up by the army in a training exercise
Seems an ideal place to crack open some UmBongo (they drink it in the Congo)....
....and pitch camp for the night
Quality breakfast in progress....
....while Muzette plays in the snow in a t-shirt
Castle Kennedy, Wigtownshire
Lochinch castle, Wigtownshire, viewed over the White Loch, built as a replacement for the derelict one above instead of rebuilding it
Crossing the canal between the White and Black Lochs, Castle Kennedy, Wigtownshire
Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Balzieland Tower, Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Eucalyptus trees, Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Eucalyptus bark, Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Moss on tree, Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Filo pastry bark, Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Camelia, Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Slate urn, Logan Botanic Garden, Port Logan, Wigtownshire
Due to the recent severe blizzards that have hit this area over the last week or so, many thanks to “Our Lady in Wigtownshire”, a fellow Bongonaught who was able to assist in the finer details of this section of the tour and also offer accurate updates of the local snow-clearing efforts
Mull of Logan folly, Wigtownshire
Mull of Galloway lighthouse, Wigtownshire
Mull of Galloway foghorn, Wigtownshire
Ireland from Mull of Galloway, Wigtownshire
Gallie Craig Coffee House, Mull of Galloway
Gallie Craig Coffee House, Mull of Galloway
Local speciality - Haggis & cheese panini, Gallie Craig Coffee House, Mull of Galloway
Gallie Craig Coffee House, Mull of Galloway
Wild-camp, East Tarbet, Mull of Galloway, Wigtownshire
Wild-camp, East Tarbet, Mull of Galloway, Wigtownshire
Castle of St John or Stranraer castle, Wigtownshire
Cobbler John Davidson’s cottage, Souter Johnnie immortalised in Robert Burns’ poem Tam o’ Shanter
Souter Johnnnie’s Inn, only recently burned out
Kirkoswald Old Church, built by monks founding Crossraguel Abbey just up the road.
Tam o’Shanter’s grave, Kirkoswald Old Church, South Ayrshire
Souter Johnnie’s grave, Kirkoswald Old Church, South Ayrshire
Gravestone, Kirkoswald Old Church, South Ayrshire
Crossraguel Abbey, South Ayrshire
Crossraguel Abbey, South Ayrshire
Crossraguel Abbey, South Ayrshire
Stonemason training, Crossraguel Abbey, South Ayrshire
Baltersan castle, South Ayrshire
Brig o’ Doon, South Ayrshire, more understandably the Bridge over the river Doon in Tam o’ Shanter
Robert Burns statue at Irvine, North Ayrshire
Eiders, Ardrossan, North Ayrshire. Eider that or something else
MV Caledonian Isles, Ardrossan – Brodick. First of just the 20 ferries this time.
We’re taking the short-cut to Kintyre, going via Arran knocks about 120 miles off the A83 route
MV Caledonian Isles, Ardrossan – Brodick
Crossing the Firth of Clyde
RFA Fort Austin heading south down the Firth of Clyde
North Sannox, Isle of Arran
Don’t mind if I do
Nice ‘n’ toasty!
North Sannox, Isle of Arran
North Sannox, Isle of Arran
North Sannox, Isle of Arran
Perfect breakfast, North Sannox, Isle of Arran
Heron, North Sannox, Isle of Arran
Wildlife spotters, North Sannox, Isle of Arran
Arran cheese, Isle of Arran
Isle of Arran
Go into Creelers smokehouse....
....and come out with crabs
Seal, Isle of Arran
Brodick Bay, Isle of Arran
Seal, Isle of Arran
Brodick castle, Isle of Arran
Brodick castle, Isle of Arran
No photography inside the castle Impressive array of stag’s heads - Brodick castle, Isle of Arran
Brodick castle, Isle of Arran - I think they were using a machine gun
Muzette playing the Bechstein grand piano in the Drawing Room, Brodick castle, Isle of Arran. Oh yeah, no photography
Brodick castle garden, Isle of Arran
Heland coo, Isle of Arran
Isle of Arran
Glen Chalmadale, Isle of Arran
Lochranza castle, Isle of Arran
Lochranza, Isle of Arran
MV Loch Tarbert, Lochranza – Claonaig
MV Loch Tarbert, Lochranza – Claonaig
MV Loch Tarbert, Lochranza – Claonaig
Arran from Kintyre
Arran from Kintyre
St. Columba’s Chapel, Kintyre
St. Columba’s footprints, Kintyre, one of which is believed to be genuine as St. Columba first landed in Scotland here, before moving further north to Iona.
St. Columba’s well, Kintyre
Keil caves, Kintyre
Mull of Kintyre – Only one mile to go to the lighthouse
Mull of Kintyre lighthouse
Site of the 1994 Chinook crash where all 29 on board were killed, the worst peacetime RAF disaster as it headed from Belfast to Inverness, a veritable own-goal to the IRA.
Ireland from the Mull of Kintyre
Whose idea was this then?
Classy tea – with added horse
Perfect spot to stop for the night, Machrihanish, Kintyre
Machrihanish, Kintyre
Machrihanish, Kintyre
Oystercatcher, Machrihanish, Kintyre
Oystercatchers, Machrihanish, Kintyre
Machrihanish, Kintyre
Lorne sausage, haggis, beans & tattie scones
Machrihanish VHF Omnidirectional Range – a standard bit of aircraft navigational kit Machrihanish is also one of the weather reporting stations if you’re sad enough to listen to the shipping forecast on Radio 4, but you have to be doubly sad and listen to the 0048hrs broadcast for the smaller stations
Foal, Kintyre
Foal, Kintyre
Seal, Kintyre
Glenbarr Abbey, Kintyre
West Loch Tarbert, Kintyre
Tarbert castle, Argyll
MV Isle of Cumbrae, Tarbert - Portavadie
MV Isle of Cumbrae, Tarbert - Portavadie
MV Isle of Cumbrae, Tarbert - Portavadie
Sound of Bute
Portavadie, Cowal
Pollphail village, built in the 1970s to house workers building concrete oil platforms but never quite took off.
On to the A8003 over the Cowal peninsula, according to The Scotsman the best scenic drive in Scotland originally built to connect Kames and Tighnabruaich with the rest of civilisation without having to go around the B8000 and the south side of Loch Fyne
Tighnabruaich viewpoint overlooking Loch Riddon and the Kyles of Bute. Cowal peninsula to the left, Isle of Bute to the right, Burnt Islands in the middle and the Isle of Bute ferry in the distance
Kilmodan Church, Clachan of Glendaruel, Cowal
Kilmodan Church, Clachan of Glendaruel, Cowal
Kilmodan stones, Clachan of Glendaruel, Cowal
Kilmodan Church, Clachan of Glendaruel, Cowal
Glendaruel House gates on the Cowal Way, the house itself was burned down in 1970
Tourist, Cowal
Dunans castle, Cowal
Dunans castle, Cowal
Minard castle, Argyll from across Loch Fyne
Inveraray castle, Argyll from across Loch Fyne
Loch Goil tree-house....
....how cool is this
Carrick castle, Argyll
Carrick castle, Argyll
Heron, Argyll
Heland coo, Argyll
“Rest & be Thankful”, the words inscribed on a stone near the junction of the A83 and the B828….
….placed there by soldiers who built the original military road in 1753, tradition has it that’s exactly what you’d do having made the long climb out of Glen Croe as you pass through the Arrochar Alps.
We took the short-cut to Campbeltown
Rest & be Thankful, Argyll
Rest & be Thankful, Argyll
Rest & be Thankful, Argyll
Spanish red – from Manchester
Rice & Bockwürsts, Argyll
Rice & Bockwürsts, Argyll
Now I’m not saying it was cold….
Lorne sausage, eggs & beans, Argyll
Rested. And very thankful
Loch Fyne smokehouse, Argyll
Loch Fyne, Argyll
Loch Fyne Oysters, Argyll
Inveraray, Argyll
Kilchurn castle, Argyll
Kilchurn castle, Argyll
Loch Awe, Argyll
Loch Awe, Argyll
Loch Awe, Argyll
Heron, Loch Etive, Argyll
Connel bridge across Loch Etive, a former railway bridge converted for road use
Swan, Loch Etive, Argyll
Dunstaffnage Bay, Argyll
Dunstaffnage castle, Argyll
Dunstaffnage castle, Argyll
McCaig’s Tower, Oban, Argyll
McCaig’s Tower, Oban, Argyll
Isle of Mull from McCaig’s Tower, Oban, Argyll
McCaig’s Tower, Oban, Argyll
Oban from McCaig’s Tower, Oban, Argyll
Photo taken in 1990 of St Columba's Cathedral & Corran Esplanade Church, we parked here in our 1962 Land-Rover
Here again 23 years later
St Columba’s Cathedral, Oban, the mother church of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Argyll and the Isles.
….might as well partake of some quality seafood while we await our next ferry at Ee-Usk, Oban, Argyll
Oysters
This is a first for all of us
Hmm, not too bad
Ditto
¡delicioso!
Mussels & chips, Ee-Usk
Oban, Argyll
MV Eigg, Oban – Achnacroish
MV Eigg, Oban – Achnacroish
MV Eigg, Oban – Achnacroish
From the Lismore ferry
From the Lismore ferry
St Moluag's Cathedral, Clachan, Isle of Lismore….
….now a Church of Scotland parish church but in the Middle Ages….
….this was the cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Argyll and the Isles
Castle Coeffin, Isle of Lismore
Isle of Lismore
Tirefour broch, Isle of Lismore
Point, Isle of Lismore
The Lismore, Point – Port Appin
The PierHouse, Port Appin, Argyll
Inn Island from Port Appin, Argyll
Port Appin - The old acetylene-powered lighthouse from Yellow Skerry
Vintage Lismore
Balanced diet? I’m not sure this is what the doctor had in mind, a large Chardonnay and a 21-year-old Lismore single malt
Argyll
The new lighthouse
Port Appin, Argyll
Awaiting the return ferry
View from Port Appin to Lismore
The Lismore, Port Appin - Point
Sailean, Isle of Lismore
Sailean, Isle of Lismore
Sailean, Isle of Lismore
Sailean, Isle of Lismore
Morning campsite, Lismore
View from the top on Lismore
Achnacroish, Isle of Lismore
MV Eigg, Achnacroish - Oban
MV Eigg, Achnacroish - Oban
MV Eigg, Achnacroish - Oban
Looking east from Lismore
FPV Minna with Dunolly castle in the background.
The Minna is keeping an eye on....
....a lost sperm whale in Oban Bay....
....making sure it doesn’t get hit by a ferry
Oban Bay, Argyll
From Pulpit Hill over Oban, Argyll
Looking west from Pulpit Hill viewpoint, Oban, Argyll
Oban from Pulpit Hill, Argyll
St Columba’s Cathedral from Pulpit Hill, Argyll
Lorne sausage, haggis, black pudding, fruit pudding & tattie scones, the Breakfast of Champions
Waiting for yet another ferry
MV Isle of Mull, Oban – Craignure
MV Isle of Mull, Oban – Craignure
MV Isle of Mull, Oban – Craignure
MV Isle of Mull, Oban – Craignure
From the Mull ferry
Duart castle
Ardnamurchan across Sound of Mull
Over Sound of Mull & Ardnamurchan Peninsula
- Muzorewa
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 5245
- Joined: Wed Sep 19, 2007 6:00 pm
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Re: Team Muz Scotland tour 2013
Miss Hoolie’s House from the TV series Balamory, actually the Beul an Atha bed & breakfast in downtown Tobermory
Tobermory, Isle of Mull
What’s the story in Balamory today?
Fisherman’s Pier fish & chips
Haddock, chips & scallops
View of Loch na Keal, Isle of Mull
Loch Beg, Isle of Mull
Loch Beg, Isle of Mull
Loch Beg, Isle of Mull
Loch Beg, Isle of Mull
Loch Beg, Isle of Mull
Lorne sausage, haggis & tattie scones, Isle of Mull
Loch Beg, Isle of Mull
MV Loch Buie, Fionnphort – Iona
MV Loch Buie, Fionnphort – Iona
Iona ferry
Iona Nunnery
Iona Nunnery
St Martin’s Cross, Iona Abbey
Iona Abbey – without scaffolding
Iona Abbey – muppet
Iona Abbey cloister
Iona Abbey cloister
Iona Abbey
Iona Abbey
Iona Abbey
St Ronan’s Bay, Iona
St Ronan’s Bay, Iona
MV Loch Buie, Iona – Fionnphort
MV Loch Buie, Iona – Fionnphort
MV Loch Buie, Iona – Fionnphort
Iona Abbey
Iona Abbey
Fionnphort, Isle of Mull
Fionnphort, Isle of Mull
Duart castle, Isle of Mull
Duart castle, Isle of Mull
View from Duart castle, Isle of Mull to Lismore
View from Duart castle, Isle of Mull
MV Loch Fyne, Fishnish – Lochaline across the sound of Mull
MV Loch Fyne, Fishnish – Lochaline
MV Loch Fyne, Fishnish – Lochaline
Ardtornish castle, Morvern
Kinlochaline castle, Morvern
Castle Tioram, Lochaber
Castle Tioram, Lochaber
Yorkshire duck (don’t ask ), pasta & beans
Yorkshire duck, pasta & beans
Yorkshire duck, pasta & beans
Loch Moidart, Lochaber
Eilean Shona, Lochaber
Castle Tioram, Lochaber
Now that’s what I call breakfast!
View from Drynie Hill, Lochaber
The Seven Men of Moidart, a line of seven beech trees….
….(now only two and a half, three stumps and a sapling )
planted in memory of the seven companions who landed with Bonnie Prince Charlie at Loch nan Uamh, a few miles further north, on 25 July 1745
Heron, Lochaber
Glenuig Bay, Lochaber
The Prince’s Cairn, at Loch nan Uamh in Lochaber….
….from where Charlie fled Scotland to France after 5 months on the run
Prince’s Cairn, Lochaber
Glenfinnan Monument at the head of Loch Shiel to mark the place….
….where Bonnie Prince Charlie raised his standard at the beginning of the 1745 Jacobite Rising
The Unknown Highlander
Glenfinnan viaduct, the famous curved viaduct used in some of the Harry Potter films, amongst others
Glenfinnan, Lochaber
Overlooking Loch Eil, Lochaber
Ben Nevis & Loch Linnhe, Lochaber
MV Corran, Ardgour - Nether Lochaber
MV Corran, Ardgour - Nether Lochaber
MV Corran, Ardgour - Nether Lochaber
Now here’s a diversion. Leave the Bongo at Fort William....
....jump on a train on the West Highland Line....
....and go to the most remote station in the land....
....the Corrour Station House which is now a hotel and restaurant
But you can only get here on the train....
....the nearest public road is 17 miles away
This is where the term “middle of nowhere” must have originated.
It does pose the question as to why there’s a station here in the first place
Actually it’s closed until May, but if you ask politely
Nice themed suites....
....with chandeliers made from antlers
Room with a view? ....
....there’s only the station here
It’s also one of the most remote restaurants in the land and the final piece in our jigsaw....
....of “Crazy places to go for a meal in Scotland”
Roasted red pepper & butternut squash soup
Quality!
Haggis, scallop & clapshot (Clapshot is from Orkney )
Pearl barley risotto
Venison burger – remember the chandeliers?
Sea bass
Double Corrour whisky
Corrour
Loch Coir’ a’ Bhric Beag, Corrour
Loch Coir’ a’ Bhric Beag, Corrour
Loch Ossian, Corrour
Corrour Station House Restaurant
Loch Ossian, Corrour
Loch Ossian, Corrour
Loch Ossian, Corrour
Loch Ossian, Corrour
Corrour
Corrour Station House Restaurant
Loch Ossian, Corrour
Corrour
Well that’s got us an appetite for breakfast!
Argyll bacon, Stornoway black pudding, MacSween haggis, venison sausage, poached eggs, tomato, mushrooms & toast
Archie, the German pointer Give the place a try – it’s brilliant!
Rather than just take the train straight back to Fort William, why not continue across Rannoch Moor....
....after all, this is voted the top rail journey in the world….
….ahead of the Trans-Siberian and the Cuzco to Machu Picchu line in Peru
A selection of shots through the window of the train
Tyndrum....
....almost as remote as Corrour
Upper Tyndrum
Back across the Moor to Fort Bill
The Great Glen Cattle Ranch between Fort William and Spean Bridge
Loch Leven, Lochaber
Loch Leven, Lochaber
Hungry? Loch Leven Seafood Café
....and shop
Loch Leven Seafood Café
Langoustines with lemon mayo....
....and a shellfish platter for two on ice
Glencoe village, Lochaber
I know I’m almost a year late, but come on guys, where were you? Red Squirrel campsite, Lochaber
Glen Coe, Lochaber
Jimmy Savile’s cottage
Jimmy Savile’s cottage, Glen Coe
Glen Coe, Lochaber
Glen Coe, Lochaber
Glen Coe, Lochaber
King’s House Hotel, used as a barracks after the battle of Culloden to house George III’s troops, hence the name
Glen Coe. Red sky at night, Fort William’s on fire again
Deer on Rannoch Moor in the morning, what a beautiful start to the day
….with such a voracious appetite they’ve eaten Muzette’s trousers
King’s House Hotel
No bread left as the deer have scoffed the lot, so Lorne sausage, haggis & tattie scones There’s no venison in there either
Rannoch Moor – incoming blizzard
Clachan Bridge, designed by Thomas Telford and known as the “Bridge over the Atlantic” to the Isle of Seil, one of the Slate Islands.
It’s bigger than you might think Thanks to MountainGoat for the idea for this part of the tour
Off on a 3-hour adventure to the Gulf of Corryvreckan – in the words of their website, not a trip for the faint-hearted
Porpoise II
Seil Sound
Muzette is probably the strongest swimmer on board yet the only one required to wear a life-jacket
Salmon farm, Seil Sound
F221 Hessen of the German Navy
Seals & cormorants, Isle of Jura
Wild goats, Isle of Jura
Wild goats, Isle of Jura
A535 HNoMS Valkyrien of the Royal Norwegian Navy Coastal Combat Flotilla
Corryvreckan whirlpool between Jura and Scarba, this stretch of water is defined as unnavigable by the Royal Navy Muzette pebble-dashed the side of the boat three times
Bàgh Gleann nam Muc or Pig Bay, Isle of Jura. Not to be confused with the disastrous 1961 Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba
Cap’n Muzette
Disused quarry buildings as we sail up the Sound of Luing
Isle of Fladda lighthouse
Eilean-a-beithich was once one of the Slate Islands, located in Easdale Sound between Easdale and Seil. Originally about 2.5 acres in area the island was quarried for its slate to a depth of 249 ft below sea level leaving only the outer rim of the island. Tipping of the quarry detritus eventually filled up the channel which separated Eilean-a-beithich from Seil, and the slate-mining village of Ellenabeich began to grow up there. However, the quarry came to a sudden and catastrophic end in 1881 when part of the sea wall gave way under the pressure of water.
Cottages at Ellenabeich perched on the inner rim of the now flooded quarry and a perfect harbour
Ellanabeich to the Isle of Easdale
Fladda, Ellenabeich - Easdale
Fladda, Ellenabeich - Easdale
Easdale – home of the World Stone Skimming Championships
The Puffer, Easdale....
....another crazy place to go for a pint
....or vino
Fladda, Easdale - Ellenabeich
Fladda, Easdale - Ellenabeich
Easdale
Sunset across Easdale Sound
The big shiny round thing we’ve been blessed with for most of this tour
Cheeky wild-camp, Cuan, Isle of Seil
Cuan, Isle of Seil. We’ll get going once we shift this dog
Belnahua, Cuan, Isle of Seil to the Isle of Luing. It’s from here that the roof slates for Iona Abbey were mined
Belnahua, Cuan, Isle of Seil to the Isle of Luing
Belnahua, Cuan, Isle of Seil to the Isle of Luing
Crossing Cuan Sound to Luing
Kilchatton church, Isle of Luing
Toberonochy, Isle of Luing
Bacon & egg butties, Isle of Luing
The only shop on the Isle of Luing, at Cullipool
Luing ferry
Belnahua, Isle of Luing - Cuan, Isle of Seil
Belnahua, Isle of Luing - Cuan, Isle of Seil
Belnahua, Isle of Luing - Cuan, Isle of Seil
Carnasserie castle, Argyll....
....home of the first Protestant Bishop of the Isles
View from Carnasserie castle, Argyll
Duntrune castle, Argyll
Crinan, Knapdale
The last puffer on the Crinan canal
Crinan canal, built over 200 years ago to avoid Glasgow & Loch Fyne traffic having to sail around the Mull of Kintyre
Dunardry locks, Crinan canal
P264 HMS Archer in the Cairnbaan locks, Crinan canal
Kilmory castle, the rather splendid home of Argyll & Bute Council
MV Isle of Cumbrae, Tarbert – Portavadie
MV Isle of Cumbrae, Tarbert – Portavadie
MV Isle of Cumbrae, Tarbert - Portavadie
Colintraive, Cowal
MV Loch Dunvegan, Colintraive - Rhubodach - allegedly the shortest ferry crossing in Europe (again according to The Scotsman)
MV Loch Dunvegan, Colintraive - Rhubodach
MV Loch Dunvegan, Colintraive - Rhubodach
Kames castle, Isle of Bute
Mount Stuart gardens, Isle of Bute
Mount Stuart gardens, Isle of Bute
Mount Stuart gardens, Isle of Bute
Mount Stuart House, Isle of Bute
Marble Chapel, Mount Stuart House, Isle of Bute
Mount Stuart House, Isle of Bute
Mount Stuart gardens, Isle of Bute
Mount Stuart gardens, Isle of Bute
Lambs, Isle of Bute
Lamb, Isle of Bute
Lamb, Isle of Bute
St Blane’s Church, Isle of Bute
Lambs, Isle of Bute
Lamb, Isle of Bute
Isle of Bute wild-camp, overlooking the Kyles of Bute
Eiders, Isle of Bute
Rice, Bockwürsts & beans, Isle of Bute
MV Bute, Rothesay – Wemyss Bay
MV Bute, Rothesay – Wemyss Bay
MV Bute, Rothesay – Wemyss Bay
Kelburn castle, North Ayrshire
Team Muz on tour – you know it makes sense
So, 2,600km and the Bongo as reliable as ever. This was probably the best tour of Caledonia we’ve done with the weather making a big impact. The snow was there but not restrictive, in fact it added to the drama, especially getting to the Mull of Kintyre. Highlights would have to be the Corrour Station House and waking up to a bunch of hungry deer on Rannoch Moor, that’s the kind of thing you’re never going to get on a package holiday or even if you stay on proper campsites. Apart from the night at Corrour, our cost of overnight accommodation totalled nil.
So until next time – that’s all from us
- mikeonb4c
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 22875
- Joined: Sun Nov 05, 2006 10:49 pm
- Location: Living with Mango Bongo in the North West but with a tendency to roam
- Contact:
Re: Team Muz Scotland tour 2013
Wow and double wow!
And that's a diesel Bongo folks
And that's a diesel Bongo folks
- umbongocat
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 2251
- Joined: Mon Apr 26, 2010 5:02 pm
- Location: london (north)
-
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 2655
- Joined: Tue Jun 17, 2008 12:02 pm
- Location: Oxfordshire
Re: Team Muz Scotland tour 2013
Absolutely fantastic I felt like I was on the journey with you (without the travelling and cold of course) I really enjoyed and can't wait for the next. I will however watch this again a few times
Things always get better after they are worse
So it's good to make things worse as soon as possible!
So it's good to make things worse as soon as possible!
Re: Team Muz Scotland tour 2013
Up to the usual standard again Paul!! brilliant matey!!
.......and I dont need to go now........lol!!
Dabs
.......and I dont need to go now........lol!!
Dabs
Its Oh so quiet!!..Ex Terra Lucem!!..A Leopard can't change his spots!
Re: Team Muz Scotland tour 2013
A wee tip Muz, take some photos next time you go on tour, ha ha
Great stuff, surprised you got in as far as the Big Water of Fleet viaduct at Gatehouse station in the snow , it was drifting deep for a wee bit around Easter.
Great stuff, surprised you got in as far as the Big Water of Fleet viaduct at Gatehouse station in the snow , it was drifting deep for a wee bit around Easter.
Re: Team Muz Scotland tour 2013
You made it then Paul. Fabulous trip.
I see you've Photoshopped out the rain again. How do you do it?? always rains when we go.
I see you've Photoshopped out the rain again. How do you do it?? always rains when we go.
-
- Bongolier
- Posts: 232
- Joined: Fri Feb 19, 2010 9:14 pm
- Location: Loughborough, Leics
Re: Team Muz Scotland tour 2013
Amazing photos Muz, you always get great shots and the scenery looks stunning. Love all the wildlife too! It looks like you had a fabulous time, inspirational stuff!
Living for the weekends...
CUIDADO! VEICULO BONGO!
CUIDADO! VEICULO BONGO!
- PixieAndTheMoon
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 1364
- Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2008 11:41 am
- Location: Allithwaite
Re: Team Muz Scotland tour 2013
Brilliant! Paul and Alison - so where are we all off to next?
Truly stunning pictures
Jo x
Truly stunning pictures
Jo x
Re: Team Muz Scotland tour 2013
Muzz photos fab but I'm gutted nae disappointed, it would be about 8-00 poss 9-00am I passed Kirkoswald ruin up from Souter Johnny's and I saw a Bongo parked there on its own I thought it looked like yours but kept going due to my motor being a 45 ton artic. This would have been up your streets I had just come from William Grant's distillery at Girvan, I had 29,750 ltrs o the stuff. Our paths must x one day
- Northern Bongolow
- Supreme Being
- Posts: 7713
- Joined: Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:33 pm
- Location: AKA Vanessa
Re: Team Muz Scotland tour 2013
when im taking my last breaths, and my life is flashing by, mine wont take long, yours on the other hand should get you at least another month.
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thanks for sharing guys, cracking shots, the deer was superb, what a bonus.
.
thanks for sharing guys, cracking shots, the deer was superb, what a bonus.
- cazzyblues
- Bongolier
- Posts: 468
- Joined: Wed May 04, 2011 11:12 am
- Location: Hampshire
Re: Team Muz Scotland tour 2013
Wow what a tour and what beautiful photos and memories you have. A lot of people don't do this much in a lifetime. Hats off to you all. What a fantastic time you must have had. I agree with Northern Bongolows comments.
Cazzy
Art of Wax ( Facebook page)
"Art is a pigment of your imagination". (Darcy Gerdes)
Art of Wax ( Facebook page)
"Art is a pigment of your imagination". (Darcy Gerdes)
Re: Team Muz Scotland tour 2013
Wow, thanks Paul.
Re: Team Muz Scotland tour 2013
looks like a fantastic trip, great photos!
ken
ken