July - 2017

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The beauty of Kiloron Bay and the tranquillity of Oronsay Priory

The beauty of Kiloron Bay and the tranquillity of Oronsay Priory

From Oban, Colonsay is about the same distance as Iona and Oronsay Priory is 2nd only to Iona Abbey in terms of early Christian settlements. Legend has it that St Columba didn’t like this island as the mountains of Donegal in Ireland could be seen some 75 miles to the SW and therefore continued north. To the west the vast expanse of the North Atlantic leaves you feeling a bit exposed where the eastern seaboard of North America lies some 2200 miles away. The sea state was c

Sunrise and sunset over Connel Bridge

Lismore in Alba by Ian Carmichael

Lismore in Alba by Ian Carmichael

Of all the books I've read recently 'Lismore in Alba', is by far the best. I am sure it is well known to most locally but I have only just discovered it and loved re-acquainting myself with many stories that I heard as a youth growing up in Appin. My favorite story relates to the day after the Glencoe Massacre and despite the heartless cruelty that surrounds this whole event there was rare acts of humanity. The day after the massacre, Campbell soldiers were searching for es

Appin Vs Benderloch on the world Piping Stage

Appin Vs Benderloch on the world Piping Stage

Ed McIllwaine from Vancouver visits Scotland a number of times each year during the competitive piping season. His Scottish home and base during these visits is at Achnamara, Connel with the wonderful hosts and neighbours Lesley and Donald MacPherson. On the 18 Jul Ed had just returned from competing at the Inveraray Highland Games and getting ready to catch the ferry the following morning for the Tobermory Games. There he secured 2nd place to the renowned world champion

Sunset and Midge-net

Sunset and Midge-net

BBQs and sunsets are not going to be spoiled by the midge. Donald and Lesley of Achnamara, Connel have declared war on the wee shites. There is a Mosquito Magnet machine from the USA that hoovers them up like magic and is hugely effective. There are smoldering citranella spirals and candles and also the ultimate defense, a gazebos with netting. The grainy effect on the first image is indeed the netting but the second images is from beyond the gazebos and what a sunset it

Island hopping, thigh pumping cycling challenge 5 -9 Jul.

Island hopping, thigh pumping cycling challenge 5 -9 Jul.

Ferries, causeways, tailwinds, great hospitality, phenomenal beaches and damn fine craic from start to finish. It all kicked off in Appin at 11am and 70 minutes later Keith Carmichael, Steven Groom and I were queuing for the ferry to Barra. Donald Carmichael our support vehicle driver was already there, he beat us and not even out of breath! We resumed cycling in Barra aka Barrabados due to its mighty fine beaches. Starting at Castlebay cycling north to the ferry terminal

Minke Whales and Harbour Porpoises

Minke Whales and Harbour Porpoises

On the 4 Jul having fueled up at Tobermory the Marfin was bound for Arisaig at high tide as the approach to the pier meanders through a shallow but well marked channel. The region is clearly a mecca for kayakers as I've never see so many kayak groups resting in sandy coves or negotiating the many channels between islands. Following up on an earlier blog we were here to see the various sites associated with the Special Operations Executive, active during 1940-46. I would lik

Hexagonal Columns and Magical Caves - Staffa

Hexagonal Columns and Magical Caves - Staffa

The call came through…’what are you doing on Tuesday Rab’ said the skipper of the Marfin. ‘Nothing’ I said, hoping it could be another invitation to tour an aspect of Argyll by boat, and thankfully it was. It’s always a risk saying ‘nothing’ too readily without checking the diary, the weather forecast or indeed the prospect of unpleasant tasks. However, for me nothing should stand in the way of these wonderful sea safaris that I’ve enjoyed over the past few years. It’s a l