Scotland Anyone?

[david small]

Today we visited Oban a small town of 2000 souls most of whom are Scottish. It has a ferry to the Isle of Skye, also a gateway to the Hebrides.
Had a cup of tea and sat by the harbour. While eating a cheese roll a very large herring gull sat on a wall intimidatingly close to me and my roll. We both looked at my roll.....will ye be wanting that wee bit of old bread? Said the gull. He was absolutely huge, and close, so l broke off a piece and tried to put it on the wall. Like a flash that was gull shaped he grabbed it, swallowed it, winked at me and said..starters...disinclined now to finish said roll, I attempted to place the hunk of bread on the wall as fast as I could....
Unfortunately he was faster...he grabbed the bread and a hardened steel beak tip came in contact with my finger. It bloody hurt. The gull dismissed my protestations with a shrug, said..see you jimmy, and flew off. I sat there rubbing my finger and watched the Skye ferry slowly cross the harbour.
We then drove to the Scottish sea life rescue centre. A very laudable endeavour. Among the rescued creatures, there was only one otter, who hid. Three seals on a rock, and several ray fish that poked their heads high out of the water, looking for all the world like they wanted to have a chat with you. I stroked a medium sized black ray, who felt quite rough to the touch.....we have a date tonight...as I left she said....you bring the chips....

Returned back to the hotel for recuperation purposes. Tomorrow, might climb Ben Nevis, might not...

[Tilly2]

It sounds lovely, David.

[murraymints]

nice day...Takes nearly 4 hours to get to top of Ben Nevis using the tourist route..same coming down ..and it may be sunny at the bottom but at the top it will be like winter..if you do go up..hire proper shoes and weatherproof coat..wear long trousers.. there's no T room or loos at the top..as I discovered.. !!

[Tilly2]

We walked up in the sunshine and down in the rain. I'm glad we did it though. It was an achievement.

[melv16]

Have you been dooon on Ben Nevis, Tilly ;-)

[Tilly2]

I don't actually get that, Melv, but I suspect it's something rude.

[kvalidir]

I love Scotland, was in Aberdeen earlier this year and it was lovely. Might go to Up helly aa next year too, fabulous country I'd live there in a second x

[Barmaid]

Love that part of the world and spent many happy days in and around oban. The fish shack near the harbour used to do the best prawn sandwich. Ever.

If you don't climb Ben Nevis consider a walk thru Glen Nevis. Very beautiful. The hidden valley in Glencoe is well worth a walk too.

[Islay]

A brilliant part of the country spent all my summers there as a child as my grandfather was a coastguard there.
So very jealous as not getting up there until November

[wolf63]

I've never been to Oban or Skye.

I was working in our Inverness office for a month - (around 1985). We planned to go shopping on the Sunday but there was nothing open, eventually, we found a little pub that was open - when we went in all the guys turned and stared at us. There were little tots of Whisky all lined up on the counter. It was 'different'.

[Islay]

Lol Wolf, I should pick you up as we drive past you but don't think the mogs would like that would they?

[wolf63]

Islay
You might not like it either - I get car sick. Merlin has just hacked up a huge hairball. They are hard work.

[Baldric]

///Scotland Anyone?///

No thanks, now I'm retired if I stay in the UK I'll spend my money in England, Went to Scotland for a lot training with the RMs, lovely Country but don't like their Politics now.
Likewise Wales for the training, I just don't like Wales.
Northern Ireland, I 'worked' there for a while, the Natives were not friendly so no thanks.
If I want a holiday in the UK I'll stay in England or go abroad instead.

[Fanriffic]

The ferry from Oban takes you to the Isle of Mull, not Skye.
Both beautiful places to visit. Pure relaxation and great scenery.

[anneasquith]

Were you in the forces Baldric.?

[Canary42]

Oban ferries connect Scotland with Isle of Barra, Island of Coll, Isle of Colonsay, South Uist, Isle of Tiree, Isle of Mull & Islay with crossings available to Castlebay (in Isle of Barra), Coll (in Island of Coll), Colonsay (in Isle of Colonsay), Lochboisdale (in South Uist), Tiree (in Isle of Tiree), Craignure (in Isle of Mull) & Port Askaig (in Islay).

[Baldric]

You already know I was Anne, but don't let that stop you.

[gness]

What a lovely day out, David........and you certainly made the most of the free entertainment too!
I have a sixty plus years old memory of Auntie Mags on the ferry to Ireland holding up a piece of bread for a gull.......my knowledge of sweary words in Irish increased dramatically.....

Enjoy tomorrow whatever you choose....x

[maggiebee]

kvalidir, went to Up Helly Aa a few years ago and had an absolutely fabulous time. Parties go on all night - think we got back to the hotel about 4 am. Certainly need stamina. Have also sailed from Oban to

[maggiebee]

Oops, not sure what happened there. Full sentence is I have sailed from Oban to Mull and visited Torosay Castle. Stunning scenery.

[New Judge]

I went to Scotland for three weeks (for work) many years ago. It was closed most of the time I was there and I paid extra to return south by sleeper on my last day instead of waiting until the following morning as planned.

I have returned on occasions since but only to indulge my passion of railways. Crossed the Forth and Tay bridges. Travelled the Far North line to Wick and Thurso and also from Fort William to Mallaig and Inverness to Kyle.