Oban

Today, we visited the Island of Kerrera. We were told about this island by a couple who were on our boat in Norway, they said it was a beautiful island to walk around.
We took a ferry across the Sound of Kerrera in late morning. We had to wait for a bit as the boat was loading up with a strange contraption and a quad bike, which did not leave enough room for many passengers. The ferry is limited to 12 people maximum.
The ferry was soon back, and we reached the island 4 minutes after departure.
There is a well marked 6.75mile walk around the island, which takes in a tea room (closed on Wednesdays) and an old castle. Castle Gylen was built in the 1500s, occupied by the Mcdougals over a period of 100 years before being beseiged by an army of Covenanters, after which it was destroyed by fire. A little way along the path we found out what the contraption on the ferry was. At the farm alongside the tea room it had been unfurled to provide a sheep shearing platform. The two handlers had clearly just started to shear a flock of sheep which were penned in waiting their turn. It was good to watch professionals at work.
We enjoyed our picnic by the shore on this very peaceful location.
The island is beautiful, lush, and green. All we could hear was the sound of sheep, birdsong, and the sea as we continued on our way.
A kiosk above the ferry point provided a point to buy refreshment , ice cream, local craft, and farm produce. All sold on trust with an honesty box. We are going to try the mutton chops and beef minute steaks.
We did not have enough time to visit the north of the island, perhaps another time.Read more