Oban

One of the earliest posts I made on this blog, 7 years ago, was about a time my wife and I got stranded up North when our car broke down and we ended up having to spend some time in Oban- the post was about a little island named Kerrera and can be read here. It was before we were married and despite being forced to stay there we had always said we would go back one day. So we did. Its more than 13 years since we were last there and quite a distance. My youngest daughter went away with her friend for the weekend to Blackpool so my wife decided to make a weekend of it so the other two would not miss out. So she booked a family room at a Premier Inn in Dumbarton to break up the journey.

It rained the whole time we were there but we did not allow that to dampen our spirits. It meant though there was no a lot to do except look at the views. We had lunch in a little cafe. The one we had been in all those years ago to heat up with soup and bread was gone so we chose another which was nice enough. To be honest it was not a long stay. If we'd been able to stay there then we could have done more but knowing we had to get back to Dumbarton with the rain not giving up and with a couple of other things to do before that we had to leave. The bad weather was not the only coincidence we found when we left. All those years ago a road was blocked by a fallen tree and so we were forced on a detour. Driving back to Dumbarton we came around a corner just before Loch Awe to find a policeman there. Even before he approached we knew what was coming. The road was closed. Instead my wife would have to take a detour of over 100 miles back through Oban and down the West before crossing over again. Unsurprisingly my wife was shattered by the end of it. It was all in the dark and rain. Sunny spells brought out beautiful rainbows but the majority was gloomy. We arrived at the hotel just in time to catch the kitchen before it shut. The kids were starving. From there it was to bed.

September in Scotland. We should expect that kind of weather. Of course. The next day though was a complete contrast. It was beautiful. On the road back from Oban we had planned two things. I wanted to stop off at Loch Awe and walk to Kilchurn Castle. We were not able to do that and it was too far to do the following day. We had also planned to go to Balloch and Luss- the latter where Scottish TV show "High Road" was filmed and a place we had last been when the girls were young. That we could do as it was not too far. It was a good end to the weekend. Its a beautiful part of the country to visit. The photos don't do it justice. All in all a good weekend. They just keep getting better each time.