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...

[kvalidir]

Maggie, it's on my list to do this coming year if life allows I love Scotland and the Islands, always feel really at home there and such a spectacle, got to be done really :) x

[Eleena]

Hi david,
sounds fantastic! I was watching Jane McDonald yesterday, your post reminded me.
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=cruising+with+jane+ane+mcdonald+in+scotland&;&view=detail&;mid=C65584D3DB598F8EC382C65584D3DB598F8EC382&;&FORM=VRDGAR

[hereIam]

Love, love, love Scotland and go as often as I can. It helps that I have two good friends who live in Edinburgh and they keep inviting me to visit. I've been to Oban David, I think I've even met that herring gull !

[douglas9401]

No need to speed on a bonnie boat over the sea to Skye any more.
There's a (toll-free) bridge now, if the windspeed/fog/rain/snow/midgies don't cause a constable to bring everything to a halt.

Ferries are still available from various points though, for those of a nostalgic bent.

Now, as for Ben Nevis, right next door is Aonach Mor with the much more civilised and genteel ascent by gondola cable car. There are refreshments aplenty when you arrive.
Worth the trip.

[Bazile]

Is this a sort of Gull ivers travels ?

[douglas9401]

Seems to be what we're herring.

[hereIam]

Going to visit next month, can't wait.

[Tilly2]

We now have all the answers to last Saturday's Guardian Prize crossword. :-)