Around Scotland

Tarbert

2011-11-11T14:54:00.001Z

We visited this pretty town, the "Gateway to the Kintyre Peninsula", on our way down to Campbeltown in May.

It has a beautiful natural harbour with picturesque buildings curving around the edge.

Above: one of the information boards beside the harbour

Another information board (click to enlarge)

Our car outside the Tourist Information Centre!

One of several large logging lorries I saw travelling through the town

Please see the Wikipedia page here

Crinan Lighthouse

2011-09-12T14:47:00.000+01:00

This attractive small, hexagonal, lighthouse, built in 1851, is located at the westernmost lock of the canal in Crinan. It’s 6 metres high and the llight is 8 metres above sea level. The light flashes every 3 seconds and is white or green depending on the direction.

There’s a ladder attached to the outside wall and a door but no admission to the general public. Apparently the interior is used as a storeroom by British Waterways.

We visited Crinan several times in May when we were staying in the area. I enjoyed sitting on the seat beside the lighthouse to look out at the beautiful views across the Sound of Jura to the islands on the horizon – really a wonderful place to visit!

The Crinan Canal

2011-08-27T16:23:00.004+01:00

Wonderful and beautiful, a perfect place to sail, or to stroll along the towpath, this has to be my favourite canal in the UK! It’s 9 miles long cutting straight across Knapdale in Argyll from side to side, through fantastic remote countryside, from Ardrishaig near Lochgilphead in the west to the village of Crinan (which gives it its name) in the east.

The canal was designed by John Rennie in the 18th century and finished in 1801 – although Thomas Telford altered some of the locks in 1816.

Above: the first lock on the Canal at Ardrishaig

All photos above were taken at, or very near, Ardrishaig

Geoffrey at Cairnbaan a few miles along

Above: more views at Cairnbaan and below, a boat entering the last lock at Crinan itself

Boats moored at Crinan

I loved walking along here in May this year taking in the gorgeous scenery all around and watching the yachts negotiating some of the 15 locks.

Loch Sween

2011-07-15T16:34:00.004+01:00

We visited this beautiful and remote sea loch in Knapdale last month, driving down from Crinan. Tayvallich is the larger of the two villages found along the west bank (Carsaig being the other), wrapped around a sheltered bay.

Tayvallich

Dumfries: Friars' Vennel

2011-06-12T14:45:00.007+01:00

This medieval thoroughfare - one of the oldest streets in Scotland - was the route travellers used to reach the ford to cross the River Nith into Galloway. At one time a monastery stood at the top of the Vennel looking down to the river.

Since we last visited the town there are many fascinating murals and wall plaques which were commissioned by Dumfries and Galloway Council in partnership with DG Arts and the road seems to have been repaved as well.

There are also some interesting shops in the vennel and especially the excellent Pumpernickel Cafe (not to be missed - it's highly recommended by us!)

In fact, you can read my review on Qype by clicking here

Loch Gilp

2011-06-12T11:43:00.009+01:00

Loch Gilp lies between two headlands, north west of Loch Fyne in Argyll. The town of Lochgilphead lies on the northern shore and the village of Ardrishaig on the west (where the Crinan Canal begins its route north to Crinan - lock number one opens up here).

We had some lovely walks around this wonderful area recently!

Views from a rainy Lochgilphead...

...and from further down the loch looking back at the town:

Some views of Loch Gilp from Ardrishaig:

Lock #1 of the famous Crinan Canal:
The Timberlink service operation below - Ardrishaig is one of four ports
where the timber is transported by boat to Troon for processing, thereby removing
8000 lorry journeys each year from the roads - so much better for the environment!

The lighthouse at Ardrishaig at the 'entrance' to Loch Fyne:
We walked to the end but it wasn't really possible to go round the lighthouse
as the walkway there became extremely narrow

Click here for a map showing the position of Loch Gilp on a map

Campbeltown

2011-06-03T08:09:00.007+01:00

I took hardly any photos of Campbeltown itself because the weather was very poor when we were wandering about...

The tourist information centre at the harbour isn't much to look at, but on the inside it's lovely and well worth a visit!

Two views looking back at the town from the tourist information centre

and the cafe where we had lunch!

My Qype review of Cafe Bluebell can be found here

The Undiscovered Scotland website has a great page about Campbeltown with lovely photos - click here

Mull of Kintyre

2011-06-03T07:17:00.009+01:00

It was really amazing to be in Kintyre at last two weeks ago, especially as far down as the famous Mull! We explored Campbeltown, then onto Carskey Bay, followed by the drive down the several miles long precarious minor road to see the lighthouse.

Beautiful and remote Carskey Bay

I was excited to see this seal on a rock though I couldn't get very close to take better photos. Whenever I tried he looked very wary and seemed ready to get back into the water! So I stayed a fair distance away on the beach and just took a few snaps.

The road we followed

Geoffrey opening a gate for our car along the way!

The road down to the lighthouse is very dangerous so we parked at the top of the 1100ft cliff and walked down the hair-pin bends towards the bottom. However, it was very steep and much further than we'd expected. In the end, after this one photo below, we turned back. It was exhausting climbing back up the steep slopes! However, what a great experience to have been in that wonderfully remote area!

Click here for a great link (with maps) about Kintyre and the Mull

Campbeltown: Linda McCartney Memorial Garden

2011-06-01T13:23:00.007+01:00

(Click on the photos to see a larger size, especially the top one to read about the McCartney's love of Kintyre)

It was a great experience recently to visit Kintyre and Campbeltown at last and especially to see the Linda McCartney Memorial Garden and statue there. Unfortunately we were there in May before the flowers had been planted - I'm sure it must be a lovely sight during the summer.

Some flowers from beside the entrance to the garden

Click here for the Wikipedia page about Linda McCartney - there's even a picture of flowers around the feet of the statue.

The sculptor, Jane Robbins, is actually Paul McCartney's cousin - I didn't realise that until I got home and looked her up on the internet! Here is a link to her own website:

http://janerobbins.com/

Inveraray

2010-09-13T16:16:00.011+01:00

A lovely place I visited a lot as a child, usually as a stop for lunch on the way to Oban from Greenock! I don't have photos from every occasion but these are a few from the family album.

First of all, the famous castle, of course! I took this (and the two below) in May 1968

The main shopping street

Some lads cooling off in the water!

The Inveraray Bridge on Loch Fyne, August 1968

A postcard I bought in May, 1973

The guest house where we stayed on that occasion.
I wrote to the daughter, Susan, for several years until we lost touch.
I wonder where she is now?

Aunt Gwen at the Castle gift shop, June 1973

Three aunties out for the day! June 1973

More up to date: the last time I was there, in 2009
(View of the town from the other side of Loch Fyne)

The town from the harbourside

Geoffrey and the Inveraray Bridge behind

The Martime Heritage Musuem on the Arctic Penguin

Please see the Undiscovered Scotland page about Inveraray here and the Wikipedia page here for more information!

Connel Bridge

2009-12-16T11:06:00.007Z

This lovely cantilever bridge spans Loch Etive at its narrowest point, six miles north-east of Oban on the west coast . It was originally built to carry the Callander and Oban Railway's branch line to Ballachulish which opened in 1903. In 1914, a road was added next to the railway track, then in1966, the bridge was converted for the sole use of road vehicles and pedestrians.

Below: some of my photos from the last time I was there

View across the water

The rapids here are amazing to watch during the ebbing tide. The seawater in the loch streams out through narrows creating strong currents and waves.

Oban - More recent photos

2009-10-29T15:24:00.009Z

More of my photos of Oban and McCaig's Tower in particular

The harbour and McCaig's Tower on the hill above the town

A hooded crow - you can also see him in the video below

Below: Photos from inside the tower

There are many beautiful shrubs and flowering plants which grow there

A toadstool lying in the grass just outside near the car park

Below, some views from the tower looking across the harbour and towards the islands of Mull and Kerrera

Would have been nice to have had a blue sky but you can't have everything!

There are some good websites about Oban here and here

Kilwinning

2009-10-27T15:57:00.005Z

We have visited this Ayrshire town twice or three times over the past couple of years (and the adjoining Eglinton Country Park as well although the rain on that occasion meant we didn't stay long!)

Kilwinning is particularly known for having the original Lodge of the Freemasons, seen below.

Kilwinning is known as the 'Crossroads of Ayrshire' and it's a great place to travel from as you can get everywhere easily by train!

Above, the station building

This is a wonderful old ruin, all that's left of the abbey since most of it was pulled down in 1562. A church is thought to have stood on this site as early as 1157, but the major part of the building was created in the 13th century. What remains today is still very impressive. The abbey is on a rise overlooking the River Garnock in the centre of the town, immediately off the pedestrianised shopping street - and free to visit too!

The Wikipedia website has all the history of the abbey here and you can find out much more about the town here

Kilmarnock

2009-10-27T11:48:00.010Z

Kilmarnock is in East Ayrshire and we have often stayed there on the way further north to break the journey. However, it's an interesting town in its own right and well worth a visit.

The Masonic Halls in London Road

One of the many new and interesting sculptures in the main shopping street

A great music shop!
Website here

The entrance to the Burns Shopping Mall
Website here

Aulds - a great place for a delicious snack, nice coffee and good service (in all the branches we've visited including this one)!

My favourite place in Kilmarnock is The Dick Institute - a combined library, art gallery and museum - though I've never had long enough to browse inside! There is always so much to see including many touring exhibitions and is well worth a visit. The staff are always helpful and friendly too, which makes such a difference.

Below, just a very few of my photos taken inside

There's some general information about the Dick Institute here and more about Kilmarnock here

Pitlochry - two old cards

2009-10-25T14:50:00.004Z

Two old postcards in my collection which I just scanned (a couple of tests for the new scanner!) Although I visited Pitlochry many times, especially when I used to stay with my aunt in Aberfeldy, I don't have any photos of my own.

The Port-na-Craig Ferry - established as far back as the 12th Century by the monks of Coupar Angus, it operated until 1913 when the new suspension bridge opened

Nearby, the beautiful Glen Garry

More about Pitlochry and the surrounding area here

Falkirk Wheel

2009-05-20T19:27:00.023+01:00

We visited the amazing Falkirk Wheel last October (2008) in terrible rainstorms, but it was a great day out nevertheless once we were indoors! The cafe was very pleasant, the gift shop full of interesting things, and the one-hour long "Falkirk Wheel Experience" was in an enclosed boat (thank goodness). All the staff were friendly and extremely well informed and there was an excellent commentary explaining the history and construction of this magnificent feat of engineering.

A model of the wheel inside a glass case in the shop

Two members of staff in the cafe

Here we are at one of the tables!

Some of my short movie clips below from the boat:

The official website is here
and the Wikipedia page here is interesting and informative too

Dumfries 2

2009-01-24T15:09:00.006Z

Another collection of my Dumfries photos (from October 2008), this time to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns (on the 25th January), who lived here at the end of his life and was buried at St Michael's Church. I would love to be in the town tomorrow night for the four lantern processions! I just hope that, with all the recent flooding in the town, the festivities will be able to go ahead as planned. Click here for the official website.

The Robert Burns Centre in Dumfries
and, below, photos of the River Nith and weir

Above: a short video of the river

Click here for my earlier blog about Dumfries

Moffat

2009-01-10T19:45:00.015Z

Over the years we have made a habit of stopping here on our way from Wales to further north in Scotland. Moffat is in Dumfriesshire and about 40 miles north of the border, not far off the M74. Here are a few of my photos:

The famous statue of a ram in the High Street which was sculpted by William Brodie - but without ears -
an omission that led to the folklore that Brodie committed suicide!

Where we usually have something to eat!

Below: a few other photos from the High Street

The main Moffat website is here
and the Undiscovered Scotland webpage is another good source of information

Clatteringshaws Loch

2008-11-22T16:50:00.009Z

This beautiful reservoir (which was created by damming the River Dee as part of the Hydro Electric Scheme) is in Galloway Forest in the south of Scotland. We went there a few times in the early 2000s. There's a visitor centre there too but we were there each time out of season when it was closed, unfortunately.

The reconstructed Iron Age Roundhouse near the banks of the loch

Geoffrey inside gauging the height of the roof!

There were some extremely tame robins and chaffinches in the car park which took food out of the hand. All we had to offer was a crisp but they seemed to like it!

Killin

2008-10-06T20:16:00.007+01:00

The picturesque village of Killin in Perthshire is in the heart of the Highlands. I have been there several times (mostly on the way to Aberfeldy) but only have a few photos which I took in 1972, when I visited Killin with my aunts.

Killin lies below the impressive Tarmachan and Ben Lawers range of mountains at the head of Loch Tay, with the beautiful Falls of Dochart flowing through the heart of the village. I'd love to return there one day.

The Undiscovered Scotland webpage about Killin can be found here.

Loch Garry

2008-09-12T19:20:00.004+01:00

This is a large expanse of fresh water in Glen Garry, described as the longest and most beautiful cul-de-sac in Britain! The road follows the shores of Loch Garry and Loch Quoich for 22 miles all the way to Kinloch Hourn, at the head of Loch Hourn, a sea loch on the north-west coast. Loch Garry is known as the "Map of Scotland" as its shape at one end is roughly the shape of mainland Scotland.

Loch Garry - two of my old joined photos from a trip north in 1980!

Alloway

2008-09-01T20:45:00.005+01:00

As far as I can remember, I only visited Alloway, near Ayr, once. That was in 1980 with my aunt. I have always loved the poetry of Robert Burns and it was fascinating to see his birthplace.

Here I am with Aunt Gwen with the Burns Monument behind

I'm outside the cottage where Burns was born on the 25th January, 1759 and spent the first seven years of his life. It was built by his father, William. It is now laid out inside much as it would have been in Burns' day and it's very interesting to see.

Lots of information can be found about Alloway here

Edinburgh

2008-08-16T20:48:00.018+01:00

I cannot find all my photos taken in Edinburgh through the years where we have been mostly to visit my cousins who live there. However, here are a few below!

A photo I took in Princes Street in 1987

The Royal Observatory, 1989 - a great place to visit. Here's the website.

The view from the Braid Hills, 1989

(Above and below): the Forth Road and Rail bridges
See a lot of information and great photos here!

Here's a first day cover which commemorates the opening of the bridge in 1964

A busker playing and singing - and hanging from his feet - in the centre of Edinburgh!! 1996

Geoffrey and I the right way up

A postcard I bought of Princes Street in 1996

Below, photos I took from the top of the Scott Monument the same year; built in honour of Sir Walter Scott, it's well worth climbing the 287 steps to see the marvellous views!

I've scarcely scratched the surface of this wonderful city with these few snaps but I can recommend the Undiscovered Scotland Edinburgh page for lots of photos and information!

Cairnpapple

2008-08-14T19:44:00.005+01:00

In 1996 my cousins took us to see this fascinating prehistoric burial site, on the summit of Cairnpapple Hill in the Bathgate Hills, West Lothian (not far from Edinburgh). Cairnpapple was used from about 3,000 BC to 1400 BC firstly as a ceremonial site then several centuries later as a burial site. There are stunning views from here over central Scotland, and even as far as Goat Fell on Arran on a clear day!

There's a very interesting website about it here and the Undiscovered Scotland webpage here (the two best sites which I have come across).

Isle of Skye

2008-08-13T14:02:00.014+01:00

I went to the Isle of Skye with my aunt in 1980 - my gerbils went too because there was no one to look after them! Their big cage can be seen below on the back seat of the car. We went over on the ferry from the Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin because the bridge wasn't built until 1995.

We stayed at "Woodside" in lovely Portree

Mrs Davidson at the front door (she didn't mind having gerbils in the bedroom!!)

A visit to beautiful Uig to find an elderly friend's brother's house though we didn't have the address. However, he had lived there most of his life and was quite well known. We stopped to ask someone if they knew where it was and, amazingly, we had parked right outside the very house we were looking for!

One reason for going to Skye was to visit the Gaelic college as I was very keen on learning at the time. It was very disappointing that the people who worked there at the time weren't at all friendly or interested in talking to me. It was quite a blow to my enthusiasm for a while as I had looked forward to going there since it opened in 1973. Hopefully it is quite different now, all these years later. It's certainly much bigger since those days, with new buildings added to the renovated barn, and there are a lot of courses on offer. Here is the website.

Here I am with Aunt Gwen, clutching a few Gaelic books which I bought.

We also visited Dunvegan castle - this is the only photo I have unfortunately, but the website is here.

Here are the Undiscovered Scotland web pages for North Skye and South Skye. There are many links and photos to make up for the lack of mine! I'd love to return there one day.

Dumfries 1

2008-08-02T20:06:00.015+01:00

We went to Dumfries in southern Scotland several times for work but managed to make some time to look around the town and vicinity each time! We like the area very much and would like to explore more thoroughly when time permits. The photos below were taken in 2002.

There are some excellent walks alongside the River Nith

Robert Burns spent the last years of his life in Dumfries (he died in 1796) and there's much to see around the town in commemoration of the great poet. The pub above was one of Burns' favourite places to drink. Here is the Official Robert Burns site. "The Banks of Nith" was written soon after he moved to the town. In a letter, he wrote, "The following is the first Compliment I have paid the Nith."

The Banks Of Nith

Robert Burns, 1789

The Thames flows proudly to the sea,
Where royal cities stately stand;
But sweeter flows the Nith to me,
Where Comyns ance had high command.
When shall I see that honour'd land,
That winding stream I love so dear!
Must wayward Fortune's adverse hand
For ever, ever keep me here!

How lovely, Nith, thy fruitful vales,
Where bounding hawthorns gaily bloom;
And sweetly spread thy sloping dales,
Where lambkins wanton through the broom.
Tho' wandering now must be my doom,
Far from thy bonie banks and braes,
May there my latest hours consume,
Amang the friends of early days!

Kirkcudbright

2008-07-31T20:07:00.007+01:00

An attractive little town in the far south of Scotland. I don't know why I can only find one photo as the weather has usually been good when we've visited! The town's website is well worth a look here and (as usual!) I recommend the Undiscovered Scotland page here.

Kirkcudbright, 2002

Most people probably go there for the art galleries or sailing but we have visited primarily for the best swimming pool we have ever encountered; the warmest, cleanest and friendliest and the best facilities for the disabled. We often say, after trying out a new (and usually disappointing) pool on our travels, "If only we were in Kirkcudbright"! It really is an impossible act to follow. Click here for the pool's site.

Another place well worth a visit is the Galloway Wildlife Conservation Park, only one mile from Kirkcudbright. It does a lot to help in the conservation of threatened species and is a wonderful day out too. These two photos are from August, 2003 when we 'met' some of the friendly resident snakes.

Newton Stewart

2008-07-29T20:34:00.008+01:00

A small town on the River Cree in South West Scotland - "Gateway to the Galloway Hills"; we've visited a few times. Here is a good website about the town and area; here is the Undiscovered Scotland page with more information, and below are three of my photos taken on the outskirts of the town in 2002 and 2003!

Blair Drummond Safari Park

2008-07-28T21:57:00.006+01:00

A visit to Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling in 1972 (it opened in 1970): just a few snaps and my (very cheap) ticket! I'm sure it's changed a lot since those days, both the price and the animals. The website is here.

The Road to Ullapool

2008-07-19T21:14:00.009+01:00

In 1972 we drove the 60 miles from Inverness to Ullapool on the north-west coast. Very few of my photos remain and none at all of Ullapool itself! However, to fill in all the gaps there's always the Undiscovered Scotland website which is the best in my opinion! (Click here)

The road from Inverness to Ullapool, 1972

From a postcard I bought at the time of lovely Loch Garve which we passed

Garve Crafts

Some waterfalls along the way

The peak of An Teallach (from a postcard I bought at the time)

Inverness and Loch Ness

2008-07-17T21:59:00.019+01:00

I went to Inverness with my aunts several times in the late '60s/early '70s. These are some of my photos

Castle Urquhart, Loch Ness

Loch Ness 1968

Leinster Lodge B&B where we stayed, Inverness, 1968
(It's still in business - I just found it on the Internet!)

Inverness Castle, 1968

Street scene, 1968

Aunt Gwen with Mrs McInnes (the owner of the B&B where we stayed), 1969

The Loch Ness Investigation Centre. 1969
(I remember looking for Nessie but never saw him/her!)

The Inverness Tattoo, 1969
(A very poor photo - I don't know why I didn't take more. Perhaps it rained!)

Another place where we stayed a couple of times.

Mrs Sime, 1972

Aunt Lett in the B&B, 1972

Aunt Gwen, 1972

Aunt Lett in Inverness again in 1973

Here is a page with information about Inverness. It's a great city to visit and I would love to go back again and take better photos!

Loch Leven

2008-07-13T20:56:00.006+01:00

Some of my old photos from 1972 - rather faded now unfortunately - of Loch Leven, at the north-west end of Glencoe, where we stopped on our way to Inverness.

The Pap of Glencoe (742m/2434ft high) as seen across the loch

I remember these pipers entertaining us - we were the only other people there!

The old Cortina facing the loch

Here is the Wikipedia page which shows the position of Loch Leven on the map, and gives more links to the area, which is extremely spectacular.

Luss

2008-07-09T16:35:00.015+01:00

We always stopped at the delightful village of Luss on the banks of Loch Lomond, every time we went north. It was such a peaceful place, with glorious views across the loch, the lovely sandy beach, and rows of pretty cottages. There was one small gift shop which was always fun to browse in.

Some photos I took in 1968

The gift shop, 1968

The beach near the pier

View from the bridge

The wee shop in 1972

Aunt Gwen and a friend, Miss Cameron, also from Greenock, 1972
I was driving us to Inverness and Ullapool - this was our first stop as usual

Aunt Gwen's Cortina and the view up the main street, 1972

Here I am in 1978.

Geoffrey and I visited Luss in 1996 but the gift shop had changed out of all recognition - for the worse - and was over-commercialised and tacky in the extreme. There was a gigantic car park nearby and Luss was swarming with crowds of people. It was a great disappointment to see it like that.

There's a page about Luss here

Aberfeldy

2008-07-06T14:11:00.022+01:00

We often went to Aberfeldy in beautiful Perthshire as several relatives lived there. It quickly became one of my favourite parts of Scotland and I even made plans to move there in 1974 - something which subsequently didn't happen!

Uncle Tommy in 1974. He retired to Aberfeldy from Greenock that year but very sadly wasn't to live much longer

Aunt Joan's dog, Kim, in the field behind her bungalow in Alma Road

Two of my old photos joined together: Aberfeldy, and Dun Taylor farm on the left, where my cousins lived, 1979. The delicate peak of Schiehallion can just be seen left of centre on the horizon.

My Cortina on the Glen Quaich road - a spectacular drive

A walk from Weem village to Loch Glassie, 1979 (no mean feat, for me anyway!) Above is part of the map I took with me that day, showing the relative postions of Weem, Loch Glassie and Farragon

Farragon across the (just visible!) Loch Glassie (Another two photos stuck together!)

The Falls of (nearby) Acharn, 1979

Here I am above in Aberfeldy in 1990 and with Aunt Gwen below, outside her residential home

There are many good websites about Aberfeldy. Here is the Undiscovered Scotland link which is one of the best, I think.

Loch Linnhe

2008-07-05T19:30:00.011+01:00

On our way north in 1996

Loch Linnhe is a sea loch in Argyll, which stretches for 9 miles from the Atlantic to Fort William

Throwing pebbles into the loch

It was such a beautiful and tranquil spot and we saw no one else for a long time (not until we got back on the road to Fort William). Just us and the sound of the waves - perfect!

Erskine Ferry

2008-07-05T16:08:00.004+01:00

We went across on the Erskine ferry several times before the new bridge was built in 1971

This is a postcard I've had since 1968

Castle Semple Loch

2008-07-05T11:28:00.012+01:00

I used to visit this area in Renfrewshire as a child and, later, when I was learning to drive in 1971. I don't have any photos from those days; these are from 2007 when Geoffrey and I spent some time walking along the country lanes around Castle Semple Loch, near the village of Lochwinnoch, both on the northern bank and also the southern which is part of the excellent RSPB reserve. In fact, the loch was originally called 'Loch Winnoch' but was renamed after the castle built by the Semple family.

The weather started off being very sunny and warm but was later overcast, which can be seen in the last couple of photos!

The Lochwinnoch website is very informative. Click here
...and this is the RSPB page

It's a great place for watersports (but rather them than me - I detest being in tiny boats!!)

It was very peaceful as we got further away from habitation - just bird song

Above: looking over from the RSPB Reserve to Lochwinnoch village and the Visitor Centre (on the left).

Portpatrick

2008-07-04T19:42:00.011+01:00

We enjoyed returning last autumn to this lovely south-westerly village in Dumfries and Galloway. It's a beautiful place to walk, especially along the cliff paths, and we have had hot sunny weather each time we've been there.

There's more information on Wikipedia about Portpatrick here - and a great website about the town and surrounding area here

Below: three photos from our previous visit to Portpatrick in 2003 with our friend, Ian, after lunch in nearby Stranraer

Unfortunately, Geoffrey injured the instep of his foot on a sharp rock that day whilst walking down a steep cliff path, and it has never been right since.

Ian enjoying the sunshine after we waded in the sea!

Mull of Galloway

2008-07-03T19:37:00.010+01:00

We visited this most south-westerly part of Scotland in 2003, on an incredibly windy day!

Geoffrey pointing out exactly where we were. The Isle of Man (below his finger) can be seen on the horizon from the cliffs

If only there were more excellent relief maps like this one. They are great for everyone, not only those who are blind.

Two shots of the lighthouse, built by Robert Stevenson in 1830, set on top of the 260ft cliffs

For much more information about this area, click here

Oban 1996

2008-07-02T21:55:00.022+01:00

Geoffrey and I visited Oban in May, 1996 as part of a wonderful fortnight travelling around Scotland. We stayed at this caravan site on a farm a mile and a half from the town. It was lovely and peaceful as there were no bars or noisy 'nightlife' on site.

For the Gallanachmore Farm new website, click here

Geoffrey standing beside our van (our Fiat Panda is on the right!)

View from the farm looking over to the island of Kerrera

A postcard which I bought at the time

We had such beautiful warm, sunny weather!

At McCaig's Folly up on the hill above the town

We met a couple on holiday from Australia who took our photo for us!

The "Bridge Over the Atlantic" as it is called, connecting Seil Island with the mainland. This about 15 miles south of Oban.

Geoffrey enjoying a coffee in the sunshine! Easdale lies about 200 metres off Seil Island and is reached by a small ferry. There is a great website about Oban here

Oban 1968

2008-07-02T21:30:00.016+01:00

Oban is known as the "Gateway to the Western Isles" and is the main town in Argyll.

My aunts and I went to Oban for the weekend in 1968 and stayed in a guest house. These are just a few of the photos which I took then.

Some of the town and McCaig's Folly behind. We spent some time up there wandering around, I remember!

I think this was near to where we stayed but I can't remember for certain

Ganavan Sands, Oban

It was a lot cheaper to park in those days!

Clachan Bridge, more commonly known as the "Bridge over the Atlantic" connecting Seil island with the mainland. The original design, by John Stevenson, was for a two-arched bridge but this was modified to one arch when it was built by Robert Mylne in 1792.

A good website to learn more about Oban, with some great (and modern!) photos: Click here

Penicuik

2008-07-02T19:42:00.006+01:00

Penicuik in Midlothian was where Aunt Joan and Uncle David lived, so we went there for holidays quite often. I don't have any photos from my last visit in 1966 unfortunately.

With Aunt Joan and my Mum, 1957

Also in 1957

1958

1959 (I seemed to like that washing line post for some reason!)

With Granny, Aunt Joan and Bess, 1960

In a tree at Lawrie's Den near Penicuik, 1961
We went there often to walk the dog

Mum, Aunt Joan and Bess, 1961

Websites about the town and area:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penicuik

http://www.penicuikwhatson.co.uk/