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Started off 2007 with a trip to Oban to help our friend Lindsay move house. She had just finished her doctorate and was moving to Plymouth, to start her new job. We went up on Saturday 12 January and came back the following day. We stopped off at Inveraray on the way back and a couple of other places. I have only been to Oban three times and each time it has poured down with rain. So if the pictures look dark and grey, thats the way it was. Had a good time though.
Isle of Kerrera
The three picture around this text are views from the window of Lindsay's house, not bad hey! She was living in a house on Pulpit Hill, which has a great view point for Oban and the Firth of Lorn.
Ferry Lord of the Isles
Isle of Kerrera
Three views from Pulpit Hill.
Right Oban harbour.
Below: across the Firth of Lorn.
Below right: Oban town
Left: Port Mor and Dunollie Castle
Dunollie Castle was built in the 12th century, possibly by Ewan MacDougall, 3rd chief of the Clan MacDougall. The MacDougalls who occupied this castle are said to have been descended from King Somerled. The site was first used in the 7th century, as Dun Ollaigh, and finally abandoned in 1746.
A view of Oban and Pulpit Hill from Port Mor. Pulpit Hill is to the right of the pic.
The weather had been bad for days high winds pouring rain, as a result all the stream and rivers were in spate. Below are a couple of pics of Loch Awe and one of the streams that flow into it.
Left: Another stream this one flowing under the railway line and A85 into Loch Awe.
Right: Kilchurn Castle on Loch Awe
Kilchurn Castle was the home to the Campbells of Glenorchy, who were later to become the Earls of Breadalbane. The earliest part of the castle is the towerhouse and Laich Hall. A large part of the fortress was built in the late 1690's to house about 200 soldiers. The castle was abandoned in 1760.
Inverarary
Three views of Inverarary
The Artic Penguin
Overall Length: 99.93 feet Breadth 24 feet Depth 12¼ feet
Gross Tonnage: 400.00
Construction:
Iron hull and floors, with steel framing; five watertight bulkheads; steel mast and fixed lantern; mizzen mast carrying day mark;
Built: 1910, by Dublin Drydock Company Ltd, Dublin at a cost of £7,230.
History of the ship
1910 - 1966, Lightship - named LV Penguin
1966 - 1982, Training Ship - renamed Hallowe'en
Converted to a schooner in 1982.
1982 - 1988, Cruise Boat - renamed Artic Penguin
1995 - Maritime Museum at Inveraray Pier
The Artic Penguin
Two views of Loch Fyne from Inverarary.
Janice with Rosie
April
Went up to Strathconon with my old mate Steve. We got some walking in on the hills, and had a couple of days out. One of them being a trip from Cromarty to see the Dolphins that live in the Moray Firth. They can be quite elusive but we did spot a couple, to far off for pics though.
The trip was with a company called Ecoventures, there boat is a high powered rib with twin 150 hp Yamaha outboard motors. It seats twelve and everybody has a good alround view.
Right: One of the bird colonies on North Sutor.
Below: A couple of the old WWI & WWII gun emplacements on North Sutor
Right: The East Church at Cromarty
Below: The Beach and lighthouse at Chanonry Point.
GD getting wet in Glen Chorainn
Steve in Glen Chorainn
Still snow on the hills above Glen Orrin
Below: Two shots taken down in the moat at Fort George, the one on the left gives you an idea of the depth by looking at Steve.
Below: Loch Meig
Right: The River Meig
Both views taken from the Meig Dam
July/August
Above: Taking a break on the M6
Right: The girls soon made friends
Hannah, Highland Pony, Jan & Jen
Thought the girls would like the dolphin trip I did with Steve back in April
No Dolphins to be seen this time, but we had a great time.
Taking a breather while out walking, Lucky's doing the same down by the river
GD Chilling back at the cottage
Right: Janice's relative Chrissie likes to visit The Falls of Shin and go into Harrods (yes the same as in London). Here she is posing next to a waxwork of Mohammed Alfied.
Scadroy House on Loch Beanacharin
Jen managed to get some bike and horse riding in.
Hannah after the Highland Games
Left & below: The Cairns at Corrimony
Janice and Chrissie
I took off on my own to the far north of Scotland for a few days on the bike. I needed the break, I already had three females with me and another, Jan's friend was due to arrive any day.
Left & below: Lybster
I stayed at the Catalina, a bed & breakfast with a difference. You don't just have your bedroom to yourself. You also have a living room, dining room and bathroom.
The Catalina is at Aultivullin near Strathy Point
Below: I had a break down by Loch Naver, the back wheel locked just as I pulled up to take a photo. A spring in the rear brake hub had snapped, and it jammed the wheel.
Nice place to break down though
Above: Torrisdale Bay
Below: On the way back south, I stopped to take some pics by The Kyle of Durness. The gate behind the beemer was just a gate no fence nothing. The sign on it however, reads "Please Close the Gate"
Got the bike back to the Catalina, and made sure everything would be ok for the return trip
Jan
Gill & Jan
The girls managed to get some riding in, near Loch Ness
