Wed 8 July Tobermory by Bus

Today was the day for a bimble to Tobermory or, if using the description of the bus ride, the Tobermory Dash!. Yesterday I had a chat with Heather about getting Tobermory and she very kindly printed off copies of the ferry and bus timetables for both Halcyon Sea and Wight Mistress. Armed with this vital information, we marched off to the ferry ramp (a 10-15 minute walk along the loch, past the sand mine.) It is amazing just how many Caledonian MacBrayne (Calmac) little ferries there are up here. We think the whole community of these islands and far away villages might cease to exist were it not for the Calmacs. Anyway, the Ferry from Lochaline goes to a place called ‘Fishnish’ on the island of Mull, just across the Sound of Mull to the south. The bus was easily 1 1/2 times longer than a London double decker, with 2 staircases and comfy seats. To us the bus seemed far too enormous for the island roads, and this busy route was mainly single track with passing places. We think the driver was trained by Jackie Stewart! Talk about fast.
Any road up, we arrived safely in Tobermory with our granny trollies, aiming to go to the Co-op and RAS victuals. Passing along all the important places: chocolate shop, Himalayan craft fayre - a shop selling Himalayan stuff, and the usual shops one finds on a seaside street. Apart from the Himalayan thing, which was the first stop, where we actually bought something Himalayan each, every other shop was deemed important to return to after we had some lunch.

We then found the ‘Mishnish Bar’ where we sensibly tested their wares and found them good. Next stop a converted chapel restaurant. Excellent food and a bit more lubrication.
All of a sudden, once suitably fed and watered, the thought of the return trip to Lochaline loomed large, and to our surprise we had but 10 minutes to get to the bus stop. So we returned sans victuals but with full tummies and happy memories of Tobermory.

Lochaline is a beautiful place. Glad we decided to stay a week.Read more