The Hole In The Wall

All of the weather gurus are predicting a wild and wooly Sunday and perhaps Monday as well. So, most of the Island's visitors were gathered at the ferry terminal in advance of the Saturday departure. We had booked ourselves in for a Saturday morning breakfast at the hotel next door. The sun was streaming through the windows as we ate and we had plenty of time to sip our coffee/tea/hot water/fruit juice.

We had packed the car before breakfast so we were able to go for a drive around one more time before the boat arrived.  There are graveyards around the island, many with graves of unknown seamen who died trying to get ashore from sunken vessels.

Because this was by far the sunniest day that we had seen since our arrival, we revisited a particularly lovely beach.

And then we tried to find an abandoned fishing village that Shush had read about.




One thing about Colonsay is the lack of signs. We had to guess where the village was and Sheelagh came very close. The hills were very damp and since Shush had only sneakers to wear, we didn't quite make it to the little line of abandoned cottages that we later saw from the ferry. We did however reach a couple of lonely roofless stone structures that made us all think of bygone families and past dreams. One thing that I learned was how heavy the rock is that they used in these houses. Such hard work!!!

Then on to the ferry and a beautiful crossing to Oban. We putted past many named and unnamed islets along the coast. It rained a bit and the sun shone a bit. It was really grand.

We are now back on the mainland. Oban is a picturesque seaside town with an active harbour. The ferries come and go regularly.

 As we approached Oban, we saw our castle.

 It'a a 16th century pile called Gallanch, a bit south of town. You can google it. Charlie the owner, umpteenth duke of something, is away until Wednesday. It's nice digs . We're here in the servants' quarters all alone by ourselves. Trevor and Pauline, who live in the gate house, let us in and gave us wood for the fire.

We felt like the "Hole in the Wall Gang" as we drove up to the house.