Day 10 - Oban to Adrishaig, Kintyre, via the Mull of Kintyre Loop

Actual Miles Driven Today - 217

Oban Harbour early in the morning of Day 10

My day 10 began at breakfast in the Best Western Queens Hotel, Oban. where I met Alan & Veronica Hedges who are on a touring holiday from Australia. 

Alan, who's business is in the Automotive industry at home, asked me to wait for him so that he could photograph the Mog. 

This allowed me to have a more relaxed  beginning to my day. The weather was fantastic again today with mirror surfaced water in the Loch.

As soon as I was ready to depart I was on a series of missions set for me by Dennis O'Neil who I met at Whitley Bay on Day 3. 

Dennis had been to places that I would have missed if it was not for his excellent advice.

One of the many ferries that leave Oban for the Islands

One of the very few photos taken of myself on this trip wearing my Help for Heroes Rugby Shirt.

First Stop was McCaig's Tower set on a hill at the back of the town.

 I was able to drive up there and photograph the whole bay on one go.

View from the Tower

Next was the daily fuel stop. 

The first ever petrol station I have been in where there is a 'Chippy' frying away at 10am in the same building. Both the Fish & Chip Shop and the Fuel Sales Desk. Interesting.

I checked the tyre pressures and set off for Seil Peninsular which is a lovely village at the end of a windy single track road.

My route takes me down the A816 alongside Loch Feochan to Kilninver. 

Here I turn Right onto the B 844 heading for Easdale and onto Seil Island.

Passing Tramway Cottages

http://seil.oban.ws/

There I met quite a few people on a coach tour who were interested in my project and happy to make small donations. 

The Help 4 Heroes collection tin has been out quite a few times now with quite a few Rolled Up Banknotes going in (Scottish ones, which I am unable to visually value). 

I even sold a 'sit in the car' to this gentleman for a tenner..

I was to look out for the House of Trousers - Look here and you can see how I missed it -

http://www.tigh-an-truish.co.uk/about.html

The Single Track Road to Crinan

Crossing the Bridge over the River Add.

The Canal in all of its glory.

Entering Crinan.

Crinan Canal - Sea Lock.

At the Crinan Hotel where I stopped for coffee I met Alan & Veronica again so had a relaxed lunch with them.

In Good Company with a Couple of 'Old Steamers'

Back onto the road south towards Kintyre diverting down a single track road to the village of Crinan. The Crinan Canal runs from Loch Fine to the open sea at Crinan.

 http://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/our-canals/crinan-canal

There are about 14 locks along its length and the Crinan Basin always contains a mixture of Modern boats and old Steamers. 

Longhorn Cattle at rest.

'Going Down' within one of the Locks.

South along the Canal 

I was now in trouble because my relaxing morning left me with the afternoon to fit in 160 miles along with one more visit. 

I am about to pass through Ardrishaig on my way south to The Mull of Kintyre.

I will be back here later today for my overnight stay.

Ardrishaig is located at the Loch Fine end of the Crinan Canal

Looking down Loch Fyne towards the Isle of Arran

However, why worry as I set off for Campbeltown 80 odd miles down a road I know very well from years of driving it every week. 

We had a ball along the wide sweeping curves.

Stonefield Castle Hotel

http://www.bespokehotels.com/stonefieldcastle

When Planning the Trip I was keen to stay at Stonefield Castle but their website said that they were fully booked for today. 

I decided to call in for a photo shot on the way past and ask the same question. "Yes! We Have Plenty of Rooms" *#*#'* was the answer but it was now too late to change my plans.

Leaving the Castle Grounds

Arriving at the town of Tarbert

The Harbour at West Loch Tarbet

A must is a stop at West Loch Tarbert to look at the harbour. 

In a Public house in Tarbert there is a picture of a little girl talking to an old Sea Captain. 

The conversation is written underneath beginning with the little girls question - YAFA YA?, - YA!, - WAYA YAFFA?

Back on the road south I pass the famous 'West Loch Hotel' where I have received a few wonderful meals of Lock Fyne Herring in Oatmeal there in the past during my time working in Campbeltown.

The short side road to the Ferry Terminal for the Isle of Islay.

The lovely driving road south to Campbeltown.

A monument to the 'Mainland Island of Kintyre'

Home from Home?

Another quick stop was at Ronachan Point on the East Coast where there are always a group of seals basking close to the shore on the rocks there.

Carrying on southward down the west side of the Kintyre Peninsula

The view across to the small island of Gigha

As the Scottish Mainland gradually raise out of the sea, over the centurys, the old Beach Rocks and Cliffs become visible as well as these giant roadside rocks. 

These are known locally as The Raised Beaches of Ballachantuy.

One of the new ugly Holiday Caravan developments which have appeared since I was last here.  

 The old Cemetery where Terry Moll, the wife and past joint owners of the Putechan Lodge Hotel (where I used to stay,) was laid to rest. 

Approaching the village of Ballachantuy.

The Argyll Arms Hotel where I spent many a pleasant evening in the company of the local Farmers and Fishermen. 

This was in the days when landlady May ran it along with her daughter Fiona. Fiona's husband Donald played a keen electronic organ in the lounge.

The Putechan Lodge Hotel

Further down the road I pulled in at a Hotel (The Putechan Lodge) where I lived as a guest for over 4.5yrs when developing a factory locally.  

Then it was owned and developed by Designer, Peter Moll and his wife Terry.

It has changed hands many times since then, been vandalised and now is being re opened once more.

Some of the Self Catering Cottages, as were, originally developed from Dog Kennels from when the original house was a Hunting Lodge.

The Bedrooms with The Rock Room on the right

The house that Peter designed and built for himself.

Strangely, they have bricked in the beautiful picture windows for these tiny ones.

Machrihanish Bay

Next I stopped briefly at Westport on Machrihanish Bay which is 4.5miles long and curves away to Machrihanish Village in the distance. 

I also visited the gate of the Nato Air Base looking for a 'RAF Machrihanish' plaque to photograph with Mog for my collection of Military Bases. 

The RAF must have left here as it is now only classed as a Ministry Of Defence site. 

The runway here used to be the second longest in Europe and when Concord was being developed it was used as a reserve runway for any emergency landings it may have needed to make. It was never used for that purpose though.

Approaching the village of Machrihanish with the Golf Club Professionals Shop and First Tee here on the right.

Entering the Golf Club House.

I have driven across the Peat Marshes to Machrihanish Village and my old Golf Club. 

Having only formally resigned from the club a few months ago I had already been given permission to visit to use the clubhouse facilities.

There I met with the steward Ian who is still there some 13 years since I was there last. It was Ian's mother May who once owned the Argyle Arms at Balluchantuy.

We had a nice conversation over coffee before I took myself off to the first tee and professionals shop.

The Lounge where many a post round snack had been enjoyed along with the usual 'Pint of Heavy'

The Trophy Cabinet

The New Locker Room, as I pop in to inspect the plumbing.

One of the small rocky bays.

Standing on The First Tee. 

Machrihanish is a typical Links Golf Course as it weaves its way among the Sand Dunes. It was once used regularly for the Scottish Championship.

The Fairway is straight ahead, behind the white marker pole.

I had taken with me, a 7 Iron and box of three golf balls to hit into the Irish Sea in memory of my two old golfing partners and a work colleague who had all passed away since my last visit. 

While it was an emotional moment for me, I actually hit three good shots. Unusual, as I have not played golf for some time now. 
The Boys were with me just then.

My Golf Club and Box of Three Golf Balls which I was about to drive into the sea, each one in memory of three colleagues now passed. 

Golfers often use this method as a means of taking a few practice swings before setting off for their 18 holes of Golf. 

The Professional Shop.

The view from the Medal Tee on the First Hole.

The Clubhouse and Flag featuring The Oyster Catcher coastal bird.

The beautiful houses of Machrihanish.

The view to the 18th Green with the buildings in the distance where the Machrihanish Coal Mine used to be.

The Club House at Machrihanish Golf Club.

The First Tee - Chosen as Hole No.1 of the Worlds Dream 18 Holes.

Job done, I took my photos an departed for Southern, the most southerly point of Mull of Kintyre. 

Of Course I sang a few lines of the famous song by Paul McCartney's Wings Group! (or the words I could remember).

 Why Not? The song, heard on the car radio back then was only released the week of my first working visit to Campbeltown made in late 1977.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5626WzsfMw&list=RDK5626WzsfMw&index=1

The old Coal Mining Village of Drumlemble

Missing Campbeltown again I turn south on the road to Southend.

Arriving at Southend. Looking across The Mull to Northern Ireland in the distance.

The View from Southend, Kintyre towards the Ayrshire coast. The Isle of Sanda is in the foreground.

At Southend, I set off up the single track road which winds down the hill to the Mull Lighthouse only to find my route was blocked by a locked gate??? 

Where I was trying to go.

The road condition was Diabolical. A Real Bone Shaker. 

That was when the Steering Wheel Horn Center fell into my lap and I decided to turn around.

Heading back Eastward as I near the white building that was once a Hotel and home to another work colleague now passed, Duncan Kelly and his family.

Southend Beach and more caravans.

I then drove through Sunny Southend, with its Golf Course and sandy beaches, before turning onto the lovely single track switchback road which runs up the east side of Kintyre making my way back to Campbeltown. 

There are a number of steep hairpin roads down to rivers and many blind summits. 

Once again the road surface was atrocious in places.

I would certainly not recommend their use for Morgan Motoring. 

On this basis I chose not to go around Kilberry Head as the road there is even worse.

From here we can see the Ayrshire coast where I would be tomorrow.

One of the scary pieces of clifftop road.

A little pause waiting for the cows to move off of the road.

I'll take a few photos while waiting.

Another Pleasant Pheasant that has avoided the sporting guns.

Davaar Island, at the head of Campbeltown Loch, comes into view.

I am back down at Sea Level now.

The Royal Navy's Fueling Terminal in Campbeltown Loch.

Davaar Island at sea Level.

Campbeltown.

The Seafield Hotel were I also spent may weeks during a last project in the factory, That was when Alistair owned it.

I take one a the back roads where I expected the blossom to be out on the trees.

Campbeltown Main Street

As this was my only visit to Campbeltown I drove around the 'Wee Toon' as the locals call it. 

The pile drivers were busy at the Town Pier for some reason.

Where the Jaeger Men's Tailoring factory used to be

 I drove up to 'The Roading' to see where the factory, that I was involved in developing in 1977/8, used to be. 

It was gone. Why? The smart building was now just an overgrown piece of wasteland and a very sad sight.

Making my way back along The Longrow towards Main Street and the Harbour.

The Swimming Pool Building

The Small Marina in The Harbour.

The War Memorial

Sadly, another little treasure has been lost. - The Davaar Bar, run by landlady Pat, where we would take an after work relaxing beer is now a Laundrette.

Passing the lochside road of Low Askomil which leads for the Shipyard which has also been demolished now.

The beautiful House where Jaeger Colleagues John & Chrissie used to live.

I am now heading North along the East Coast B842 towards the village of Carradale.

At Peninver is see more Ghastly Caravans - how the area has altered.

I make a short stop where the road meets the shore.

I eventually arrive at Carradale.

Carradale Harbour

Along the Shoreline

My final run was to go back north to my overnight hotel via the east side again. 

The road to Carradale was good but after that it was another Bone Shaker and not much fun. I was glad to arrive at my destination in Ardrishaig.  

I need to follow the road along the coast until I get to Skipness and then turn inland again 

Passing another Picnic Area alongside the sound.

 Skipness is almost at the narrowest point to the Isle of Arran.

For anyone wanting to shorten their journey, it used to be possible to take a ferry from nearby Cleonaig to Lochranza on Arran. 

Using Arran as a stepping stone, a drive around the island to Brodick would allow another ferry to take you to Ardrossan on the Ayrshire Coast.

https://www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/claonaig-lochranza-ferry-timetable

The Cloanaig Ferry Terminal Slipway is down there on the beach but it does look pretty quiet.

The road down to the ferry slipway. 

On the shore at Skipness.

I am soon back on the West Side and passing the West Loch Hotel for the second time today.

 Ahead is st the signpost for the Kilberry Head loop which I have already decided not to take. 

The road is very poor around there and it is getting late and I have a meal booked at my B&B.

I have arrived a Tarbert again but still 11 miles to go before I get to Ardrishaig. 

It has been a long day so this will be preferable to the 30 miles of the Kilberry Head Loop.

The Tide is out in the Harbour.

Finally I arrive at Ardrishaig.

Along the Shoreline to my waiting hotel.