Glasgow and the Isle of Islay

It was a beautiful day when we left to head north for Scotland along the M56 and the M6. As we progressed the cloud cover increased and we had a few showers arriving in Glasgow with low cloud but still mild. Our hotel overlooking the Clyde Estuary was a golf resort in the middle of a golf course. After checking in we explored the local town of Paisley with its many old buildings including a medieval abbey. 

The following day we caught the train into the centre of Glasgow and hopped on a sightseeing bus which toured around the local places of interest and from this we learned a lot about the history of the city. The local students had been having fun with the statue of the Duke of Wellington.

 

 

Dr Who was in town for the day.

 

 

 

For dinner that evening we went to a local restaurant and had a delightful meal and met some interesting locals who tried to persuade us to part with some of our bottle of Australian red wine.

The following morning we were off to catch the ferry to the island of Islay. Our trip north took us along the “bonnie, bonnie banks of Loch Lomond” which we followed for about half an hour before heading west over the mountains towards the coast. It truly is a magnificent lake. Our ferry left from Kennacraig which we assumed was a township but turned out to be just a loading jetty with booking office, toilets and carpark. The carpark was full but luckily someone coming off the incoming ferry vacated a space which we were close enough to grab.

The journey over was 2 hours and the weather overcast. We were met by Ishbel at Port Askaig who loaded us into her car and took us along to the brewery at Bridgend to catch up with Paul. It was a great re-union not having seen him for 43 years (the last time I was 22 and he was 17).  After some shopping at the local store we went to pick up Paul and headed to their home at Port Charlotte where we were met by an excited Staffie and 2 very friendly cats. Janice was in her element having been deprived of animals for over 5 weeks. Over dinner we reminisced over things that happened nearly 50 years ago as well as caught up with how our lives had progressed since then.

The following morning, after an enormous breakfast cooked by Paul, we headed off to explore the island which is 26 miles long and about the same wide. The overcast start to the day soon changed to a glorious sunny and warm one. I couldn’t get over how friendly everyone was and Ish seemed to know them all. We visited the ancient seat of the Lords of the Islands with its scattered ruins before driving to a remote art gallery with local crafts and tea rooms where we had morning coffee followed by a walk along the beach.

 

 

Most of the roads are single track with many pull-in-bays so vehicles can pass. Again, everyone is very co-operative. We visited many villages and bays and from the west side of the island we could see the coastline of Ireland.

 

That evening we dined at the local hotel and had a table overlooking the bay. The warm weather continued and we had to have the window open to stay cool. On returning home we chatted until almost midnight when we had a power blackout which sent Paul scuttling for torches and candles but amazingly it was still not completely dark outside.

The following morning we headed down to Port Ellen in the south of the island to pick up our ferry back to the mainland. Again another scorcher of a day. Our trip back to Glasgow was leisurely and we stopped at many interesting places along the way, including the castle at Inverary which features in the later episodes of Downton Abbey.

We selected a different hotel in Glasgow and this one was perfect. It is an old manor house set in magnificent gardens with amazing décor. We sat out in the garden sipping drinks for a couple of hours before going in for dinner.

Note from Janice – I didn’t want to leave the garden as it was so cool after a very hot day.  What a perfect spot we had found.  Brian amused me as we were watching some birds play by saying “oh look, the birds are pruning each other” !!!  If Adele had been there with me we would have had a good laugh together – as it was, I got the giggles about it while writing it in my diary. 

On our way up to Kennacraig we travelled through amazing landscape.  The hills were so high & rugged – taking photos just didn’t do it justice.  Thought of Kristian as he really loves Scotland, and we have had such a good time in Scotland, I could understand why.  Everyone has been so very friendly.  Back to Brian now…………

Off to Edinburgh tomorrow.