Craignure

Today we decided to walk around the coast to visit Duart Castle, the current seat of the head of the Maclean clan.
The footpath hugged the shore line for the first 2 miles, we were hopeful that we might get a glimpse of the elusive sea otters, but there were none to be seen. We thought we were just not looking properly, but we eventually met a group who were on a sea otter safari with a professional guide. They had been out looking for some time in advance of us but had had no joy either. We continued around the coast having to come inland to meet the main road to Fionnphort just prior to branching off on the drive to the castle.
The walk along the drive to the castle was about 2 miles long, and it passed through woodland then open farmland. We had to stop a few times to let cars pass us by. With about half a mile to go, a gentleman pulled up next to us and graciously asked us if we were happy walkers or were in need of a lift. We declined the lift, and then Alan realised that the gentleman was in all probability Sir Lachlan Maclean, the current owner of the castle. Missed an opportunity there for a chat.
After lunching at the castle tea shop, we entered the castle itself. Our family name did not get us a discount. However, we were advised that we did get to sign the special visitors book, which is reserved for Macleans and immediate family.
We found the visit fascinating, the displays in the visitor section gave the historical background to the building and the Macleans of Duart. The castle was for a time taken over by the Duke of Argyll (Campbell) but eventually abandoned. It was bought back into the Maclean ownership by Sir Fitzroy Maclean in 1911, at the time it was a complete ruin.
The castle has been extensively restored, and the ancient history of the clan and the recent history since 1911 explained throughout the various rooms.
One of the rooms is called the Sea Room. In here, we caught up with other groups of visitors from both Scotland and America. The scottish group were reminiscing with the gentleman who offered us the lift. They were talking about the old steamers that took passengers to the Tobermory games. The lady of the American party was having a good conversation with the gentleman about the history of the place, too. We determined that this was indeed Sir Lachlan Maclean, and we all had a very pleasant chat. Sir L remembered well the TSS King George V passing up and down the Sound on its tours and its trips into Tobermory to the games.
The recent history of the family was laid out in various rooms in the castle,
There is a lot of history within the British Army in the family. Indeed, the Fitzroy Maclean who bought the castle in 1911 was lucky to be alive at all. It transpires that he was ill at work one day, and that day was the day that the regiment under his command all but perished in the Charge of the Light Brigade.
Sir Charles Maclean was the Chief Scout for many years after the war and ultimately was the Lord Chamberlain for many, many years. A roll that placed him very close to the royal family. Sir Lachlan was such a charming gentleman I thought it imprudent to mention our sons connection to Prince Andrew. Sir L brought out the Maclean visitors book for us to sign, it turned out the American lady was a Maclean too.
We thoroughly enjoyed our visit.
Not an otter to be seen on our return to base, another 10 mile dayLeia mais