This was Ian & Ann's first trip to Mull in search of
"I know Where I'm Going"
1st - 4th August 2004
We had travelled up from South Devon and stayed at the Adelphi Hotel in Liverpool over night. We had pre-booked a 4 hour trip the next day (Sunday) with Gemini Cruises, at Crinan, to visit Corryvreckan at leaving 12.30pm. So we had to leave Liverpool early at 8.00am and only just got to the tiny quayside in time ~ abandoning the car in a ditch. |
Jura is on the left and Scarba on the right |
This is about as rough as it got but its still hardly a ripple |
A wave of almost 6" now with the tide at full flood |
|
63 mile dash from Crinan to Oban and the 6.30 pm Ferry |
The ferry was on time leaving Oban ~ luckily we were on time getting to Oban. |
Small green Island ? |
We had to stay at the Western Isles Hotel |
Telephone booth gone |
A good menu and wine list. Extremely friendly staff reserved the window table |
IKWIG poster and stills |
I Know Where I'm Going |
No its not Roger Livesey |
A room |
with |
a view |
Entrance to Torosay Castle is just south Craignure |
It is a very pleasent mile walk |
Duart Castle is just visible across the bay |
First glimps Torosay Castle |
Quite large surrounding gardens |
Inside Torosay Duart is visible |
Torosay has very friendly staff who |
allow you to just wander about. |
Nice tea rooms at the back |
The Balamory Express runs |
between Craignure and Torosay |
though walking is faster |
Photography not permitted. Duart's "Rosa Kleb"grabed Ann just as the flash went off |
We snuck this one while they were changing the guard |
Lucky we did not end up here |
Park here and walk as there is nowhere to park further on. |
Dave-the-Grave's house |
Just over a little hump back bridge and over a 5 bar iron gate |
Through the gate on right. |
Our first sight of Moy Castle |
Top of Moy |
Grassy path to Moy Castle |
Scottish flag flies |
Small rickety bridge |
A terrible strong curse |
but I'll risk it! |
for McNeil of Kiloran |
Moy from the shore |
Loch Buie from Moy Castle |
Its about an 8 mile drive from Strathcoil on the main road to Loch Buie over very twisty bumpy roads past stunning scenery. Just when you think it looks safe to venture over 25 mph the road will catch you out and you will ground the sump. Many gouges in the road prove you will not have been the first to do this. For such a small road it is quite busy, two Mercedes estates in convoy (with German plates) tailgated us half way along so I pulled in and let them pass. When we reached Loch Buie they were both stopped, all doors open, bonnet up with a German under each! |
Phone box on road to Carsaig harbour |
Its a very tricky 4 mile each way from the main road |
Carsaig |
Carsaig Harbour |
Over the years the centre |
has been ripped up. |
Other boathouse |
Can you see the join? |
Boathouse in IKWIG |
It was Sunday afternoon when we set off from Moy to Carsaig only 3 miles along the coast but 25 miles by road. We noticed the petrol gauge showing 0 miles but carried on driving and hoping. Amazingly we made it there and back to Craignure where we had seen two petrol stations. One petrol station was closed permanently and the helpful attendant of the other told me he didn't have any petrol but "I could have some Diesel". Ann had stashed ½ gallon petrol in the car boot and we just made it the 23 miles back to the Western Isles Hotel on fumes and by coasting in neutral where possible. The next morning I filled up in Tobermory before looking at the price - 94p per litre! So fill up on the mainland before crossing is my advice - I hope I take my advice next time. (Petrol was only 78p p/litre on the mainland at the time) (C) All images are copyright 2004 |
Ian & Ann's other P & P trips:- scotland2005 & IKWIG Celebration weekend ~ October 2005
also A Canterbury Tale August 2005