East to West

Our holiday proper was heading to the opposite coast of Scotland for some sea air and Atlantic breezes.  Oban was our destination but a lodge at Tralee Bay, about 10 miles further north, was our accommodation.

Gorgeous place that would be a great spot to spend a week in the summer. 
Oh wait....

It was pretty much due to rain all week, and we came well prepared, though of course packed sun cream, sunglasses and even beach toys because in Scotland you live in eternal hope...

None were needed.

Oban itself is the main gateway to many of the Hebridean island, but for the Don and I it was really a trip down memory lane to our last holiday here eleven years ago to visit Wattalot.  Once again, McCaig's Tower was our first stop.

Crowning the hill about the town is this old Colosseum-like Victorian folly, commissioned in 1890 by local worthy John Stuart McCaig, with the philanthropic intention of providing work for unemployed stonemasons.

A common scene!

Nobody's really sure what the point of the tower is, but it does give lovely views over the city and bay.  When the clouds haven't rolled in and the rain isn't falling in your eyes that is.  So we had no choice but to take cover in Oban distillery, which has been producing whisky since 1794.

A tour, couple of drams, and a bottle later, it had dried up enough for a poke of chips, a visit to Oban's Chocolate Company (yum), a more pleasant walk along the harbour and half an hour of stone-skimming practice.

What holidays are all about!

Looking across Oban bay to the island of Kerrera, from a much drier McCaig's Tower