In the usual way and roughly the same time as all the other days we left the camping site by the small and winding coastal road to Oban.  We hadn’t planned so much today.. We are going to Arduaine Gardens and then on to Kennacraig from there a ferry ride over to Port Ellen on Islay.  While Gun and Lennarth went in to Arduine Gardens  Terese and Patrik sat in Loch Melfort Hotel and had tea and coffee and shortbread.  Gun and Lennarth thought the gardens were very interesting and had many different variations of plants which we had at home.  Driving a little further we stopped at Kilmartin for lunch then we drove a smaller road since we had lots of time before the ferry went to Islay.  By taking a detour we got to see Crinan Canal.  In Lochgilphead we searched for a Co-op, Patrik had seen that they had Balvenie Double Wood which was cheaper there. After driving around we found it and Patrik bought his whisky.  We drove to Tabert and took a walk around the town, ate ice-cream, etc.  We then drove to the ferry terminal and picked up our tickets.  We continued to drive south  until we found a place to stop,  and found  a very nice beach, so Gun had a quick dip in the sea.    We had food on the ferry and met some Swedes.  They  were from Stockholm and had flown to Glasgow then were going to drive around Scotland.  We  also met a group of ladies who were going to cycle round Islay.  When we arrive on Islay we drove directly up to Kintra Farm where the camping site was.  The tents were put up on grass covered  sanddunes by the beach. We ate supper, then it was time for bed.

We woke up  at a reasonable time.  After getting ready  and having breakfast we followed one  of the guidebooks tips, to follow the road through Glen Nevis to the end.  When this was done we drove back to Fort William and then continued south.  When we came closer to  Glen Coe we discovered a road round Loch Leven.  We stopped at a Shell station in Glen Coe which had nearly everything.  After  Lennarth bought a plastic hammer for the tent pegs we continued on our way to Oban.  Immediately when we came to Oban we chose as we had earlier to drive out to the camping site, to make sure we would have a pitch for the tents.  When the pitches were organised and lunch was eaten we went for a walk  around the town,  book places at McTavish’s  visit the distillery and Craig’s Tower.  Oban is a very beautiful harbour town. It has a lively center and as usual pleasant people.  At the distillery Patrik  learned how to drink Daluine the proper way, a very nice experience.  He even bought an Oban Distiller Edition.  After our walk around the town center we drove back to the camp site to prepare  for the evening.  McTavish’s Kitchen was an exciting experience.  Lennarth ordered Haggis, which was really tastey and filling.  When we were enjoying our dessert and coffee the Scottish Show started and continued for two hours.  Lots of bagpipes, fiddles and accordions, highland fling and gaellic  songs. We then drove back to the camping site and slept.

After all the lie-ins we had on Skye the last morning wasn’t. We got up 6 ö’clock so that we wouldn’t have to rush to the ferry which went at 10.15 but the journey to the ferry terminal which lay on the other side of the island went smoothly as the roads were fairly empty. We actually made the earlier ferry at 8.50. When we arrive at Mallaig the journey began towards Glenfinnan to see the Glenfinnan Monument and Aqueduct and Patrik wanted to dip his feet in Loch Shiel.

We then continued towards Fort William. When we came to Fort William we drove directly to Glen Nevis camping site to make sure we had a pitch. When we had pitched the tents and eaten lunch we drove to Ben Nevis Distillery and was that a disappointment, ugly house and boring shop. Patrik bought a liten 10 year old Single Malt Ben Nevis whisky so he could taste it to see if it was anything for him. We then went to the Caledonian Canal to look at the locks. When we were satisfied with that we drove via Inverloch Castle and then into the town centre “High Streetâ€?. There were plenty of souvenir shops, so Terese was happy and there were plenty of Whisky shops to keep Patrik happy. Patrik bought an Old Ballantrau. which he later discovered was recommended by “The Whisky Magazineâ€?, great happiness. After our shopping and a coffee we drove back to the camping site and had dinner. Patrik decided after dinner to climb part of Ben Nevis. He was gone an hour and climbed quite a bit up the mountain which take approximately 5-6 hours to climb. We then posted our postcards and planned the following days journey. To Oban, Glencoe, Islay, Stirling etc.

Now we are in Fort William.  Terese  had 15 minutes on an Internet Café in the High Street.  She wanted to check if money had been drawn from her account in Edinburgh when she didn’t get any money from the ATM.   I would just like to inform you who read this blogg that a journey diary  will  be published just as soon as we have a little more time to input it.

We are having a good time, it is warm and nice.  We have looked at lots of castles, ruins, and whisky.  The people are kind and helpful.

The day starts with light rain so we have a lie-in. Then we are ready we drive north towards the Old Man of Storr. According to our guidebook it should take 30 minutes to go up to the cliff. What a climb it turns out to be. We ended up in the clouds.. What a cool cliff, unbelievable that it hasn’t fallen over. What a view. Downhill went a lot quicker. After a quick bite to eat by Kilt Rock we continue our journey between Staffin and Uig which is said to be very beautiful as one drives through the mountain range Quirang. We made quick stops beside The Table, The Needle and The Prison in the mountain range but realised that we didn’t have time to go out to the place (takes roughly one hour return). We drove instead to Dunvegan via Uig. A little against our will we paid to get in to the castle, but we also got to go into the gardens. Inside the castle it felt familiar due to the fact that Blair Castle had already shown everything which we saw here. That which was most interesting was a scrap of satin material “The Fairy Flagâ€? from between the 5th and 8th century. Ancient in otherwords.

After a quick look at the castle and gardens we drove to Talisker Distillery. The Distilleryis beautifully located by the beach at Loch Harport. The outside wasn’t as impressive as Blair Atholl. The shop was ok. The whisky range which interested Patrik was in the upper price class. We stopped at Aros Experience to see what it was. It really was a tourist trap, filled with unnecessary tourist souvenirs. We continued on to “The Lower Deckâ€? to buy Fish and Chips. The food was eaten at the camp site, Patrik drank one of his ale’s to his food.