Castles and Coos

Slow day for us! Breakfast at the bothy then out and about.

We made a wrong turn that became a happy accident: a lovely drive down the coast south of Oban. After "circling the block", we made it to our destination - a viewpoint above Oban Bay.

Dunstaffnage Castle - Built before 1240 on a huge rock and surrounded on 3 sides by water. Robert the Bruce captured the castle in 1308. Now a partial ruin.
Originally belonging to Clan McDougall, it eventually ended up being given to Clan Campbell.

Flora MacDonald was held here in 1746 before being sent to the Tower of London for aiding Bonnie Prince Charlie’s escape.

Bonawe Iron Furnace in Tynuilt - learned about this on a show and thought it looked interesting. Beautiful property! It's the most complete charcoal-fuelled ironworks in Britain. Founded in 1753 and ceased firing in the 1870s.

Kilchurn Castle Viewpoint - picnic, coos and sheep.

Built in the mid 1400s at the head of Loch Awe and now a ruin. It belonged to Clan Campbell. The castle is currently closed for conservation works.
So, we went to the viewpoint instead. Better than touring the ruin, we had another car picnic while watching sheep, lambs and a couple of hairy coos -- all with a castle for a backdrop!

St. Conan's Kirk sits on the shore of Loch Awe. Built in 1881-1886. In a 2016 Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland public poll it was voted one of the Top 10 buildings in Scotland of the last 100 years. Built by Walter Campbell so his mother would not have to travel six miles to the nearest church!!

Fingal's Dogstone
This large rock nestled between Dunollie Castle and the centre of Oban, is known as the Dogstone or Fingal's Dogstone. Many believed that this is where the giant, Fingal, left his dog Bran when he went off hunting across the Hebridean islands. Some have said that you can see the marks from the dog's chain where it circled and circled the stone, trying to break free. -- pic is not too good due to lighting and taking the pic from the car due to no parking or places to pull over.

McCaig's Tower and Battery Hill
A prominent landmark overlooking Oban Bay. Built in 1897 by local banker John Stuart McCaig, the aim of the tower was to provide work for local stonemasons and a lasting monument to the McCaig family.

Whisky Shop
Richard did his kind of shopping!

The Oban Inn Pub
Recommended by our hostess, a lovely traditional pub along the harbor. A pint and traditional music for the win.

Fish and Chips from a chippy for dinner and after dinner whisky and chocolate on the patio at the bothy. Lovely end to a lovely day.もっと詳しく