Loch Melfort

16 miles south of Oban, this remote and beautiful sea loch is well worth a visit.

It’s a wonderful place for hill walking and cycling. There are peaceful beaches to stroll along too and a few restaurants, hotels and pubs not far away.

This is an area of stunning natural beauty, teeming with wildlife – sometimes you’ll see otters, seals and porpoises swimming in the loch. Perfect for birdwatching as well.

There are wonderful views from the top of the surrounding hills over the Sound of Jura and many small islands. I'm annoyed I didn't take any better photos than this one last May - hopefully I'll be back there sometime to take better ones!

From Oban you’ll need the A816 south to Kilmelford. Then turn right to Degnish for nearly 2 miles. There are signs for Melfort Pier and Harbour.

Loch Caolisport

  
A broad and lovely sea loch - about 5 miles long - in a very beautiful area - I drove along the banks last year in May and stopped several times to take in the views. It's a remote region and the road is seldom clogged with cars - there were very few cars at all the afternoon I was there. It's a wonderful area for walking and cycling and - on the water itself - sailing and sea kayaking. The countryside around the loch is very pretty with fields of sheep and cows, forest plantations and many wild flowers.

St Columba's Cave can be found on the north shore near Ellary (although I didn't have time to go there myself). It's said to have been used by the saint on his 6th Century crusade from Ireland.

Stranraer: Castle of St John

I don't know how I've missed this castle before on my visits to the town over the past few years because it's literally in the town centre!! Two days ago, my husband Geoffrey and I discovered it and decided to climb to the top up the steep winding stone staircases (it's free entry).

 





The castle was built around 1500 and, over the centuries, it has been used as a home, a prison, a court, and a military garrison.

A 'prisoner' looking forlornly out through the door of his cell! 

There are wonderful views from the top and an interesting 'soundscape', definitely well worth the climb. On the way down we went into most of the 'rooms' which are through doorways on either side of the stairs, on different levels. Inside one there was an interesting audio-visual presentation and a scale model of the castle behind glass. There is an activity room for families and children too. 

A model of the castle inside a glass case

Bell tower at the top

Geoffrey and some of the views of the town and surrounding area

The recently developed Castle Square

A must when you are in Stranraer - it's really fascinating!

Tarbert

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

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

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

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

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