Sunday June 10/2012 Armandale to Oban

We drove to Armadale still on Skye in the morning to catch the ferry to Mallaig on the mainland.  This shortened our drive as we made our way to Oban and then to Dalmally to my cousin Freda's home.  The Ferry Station at Armadale was lovely, with beautiful gardens and a couple of interesting shops to help pass the time.  

Scotland is a land of water of course and I am always fascinated by the ocean.  The water here as in many places is clear and a beautiful aqua colour with lots of rocky shores but sometimes a sandy beach surprised you.  This short ferry ride was easy to get on and off and you could exit your car and enjoy views from the upper side decks.  

Once on the mainland we were faced with more clouds but they did not detract from the  rugged beauty of the landscape.  Not yet anyway!  We stopped in Ft. William for lunch but the clouds smothered the view.  We could not see Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in Scotland at 4,409 feet.  Ft. William is a town where hikers and adventurers gather to enjoy what the mountain has to offer.  I have never seen so many outdoor gear stores in one town!  But not much else. 

We loved this sign!  Maybe need one in my neighbourhood! 

 When we got to Oban we climbed the hills (by car) to see  McCaig's Tower, a strangely (mis)placed Collosseum.  John Stuart McCaig wanted to build a long lasting memorial for his family and also provide work for stone masons.  He died in 1902 before completion.  Statues of himself and family never were finished but today this monument dominates the Oban skyline from below and gives tourists an incentive to make their way to the top of Oban's hills and enjoy the gardens and view from there. It does make for an invigorationg walk too! Last time we were here we did it on foot. 

Some kind of leaching is going on in the granite. 

Now we are only a few miles from Dalmally, where my cousin Freda lives.  So onward!!