After standing in the check in queue at Dublin Airport yesterday, compensated by a lovely chat in the whiskey duty free with the Bushmills rep who convinced us that the 18yo is a cut above the 15yo 🤣 – of course he did.
The rental car check in at Glasgow was a dream – overnight in a “travellers” hotel in Alexandria and today we pressed on to Mull. En route the shores of Loch Lomond . . .
And on to Inverary – of course Inverary Castle is closed today!! 😖
Next stop – coos and castles – apart from Eilean Donan this one at Kilchurn is one of the most photographed so we had to stop and join the happer snappers on the side of the Inverary Road . .
And more Cambells – Lt. Walter Douglas Campbell and his sister, Helen, built a ‘chapel of ease’, now St Conan’s Church situated on the shore of Loch Awe, so that their mother would not have to travel a distance to pray. She died in the early stages and it became her memorial. He was an architect by training and the family had made money in mining, railways, etc. He died in 1914 and Helen finished his handiwork. Best description is that the church resembles a folly with many quirky touches and items of antiquity collected from, possibly, dubious sources.
Our tour was conducted by the delightful Kathleen, a member of the Friends of St Conans who have been instrumental in the restoration of the church which had fallen into disrepair. Still a work in progress. Beautiful acoustics and concerts and plays are regularly conducted in the main space and the crypt – yet to be restored.
Time to spare in Oban before catching the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry to Mull – McCaig’s Tower – no not a folly, but intended to provided employment to local stonemasons. Mr McCaig’s intention was to house statues of family member in the arches but his sister revoked his will . . .
And off to the Isle of Mull under cloudy skies . . .
With lighthouses and castles along the way . . .
Tobermory for some supplies after surviving single lane road with lay-bies and very courteous drivers 😊
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