Holiday - Scotland Day 9 - Seal sanctuary and Ice Factor Climbing

Scotland Holiday - Day 9
Seal Sanctuary and Ice Factor Climbing

The weather forecast for today didn't look very good so we had some indoor activities planned.

We had told the B and B owner that we would have breakfast at 8.30.  We went into the front room where we were shwn to a table covered in different things we might want.  Last night we had already been asked what we wanted to have in the way of cooked breakfast.  So while we were waiting we had a look at what else was on offer!  There was the usual selection of fruit, cereal, toast, yoghurts, fruit juice, there was also a selection of cheese - mostly different types of individually wrapped cheddar, babybel but also individualy wrapped cheese slices (the sort you would usually find in a burger!!).  

When breakfast was over we got ready and set off - we already felt tired after trying to concentrate on the random conversations with the B and B owner!!

It was still dry so we made our way to the Seal Sanctuary.  We spent the morning there looking around the different aquariums they had.  They had sessions of otter feeding and seal feeding during which a member of staff told us information about the animals they have there.  

From the Seal Sanctuary we went to Ice Factor Climbing Centre.  They have a good selection of walls - some of which were the higest we had climbed before.  They also have there an ice wall climbing area.  We had a nice afternoon there and had a bit of lunch in the cafe also.

One of the rock climbing wall areas 

The Ice climbing wall area

On the way back we stopped at the Falls Of Lora - The falls are generated when the tide level in the Firth of Lorn drops below the level of the water in Loch Etive.  Because the falls are tidal, they are not always flowing.  On our way back the tide was coming in so we stopped to take some photos.

It was near 18:30 when we got back to Oban so we went straight out to the Roal Hotel again for some dinner.  We both knew if we went back first we won't want to go out again as it had by then started drizzling.  We both had another lovely meal.

Back at the B and B we were greeted by the owner who was asking all about the climbing place and if it was suitable for children. We then relaxed for the evening as we have an early start in the morning to catch a ferry to the Isle of Mull.

Holiday - Scotland Day 8 - Drive to Oban

Scotland Holiday - Day 8
Drive to Oban

Todays aim was to drive to Oban.  We are stayin at a B and B for 2 nights before going out to the Isle of Mull.

We packed everything up from Dyemill and set off to Lochranza to get the ferry to Kintyre.  We got there in good time to get the 10:45 ferry.  It was only a 30 min crossing.  The roads on Kintyre were single track roads with passing places.  Luckily the larger campervans seemed to all let the cars go ahead of them.  We pulled in at a view point but the view wasn't that good!!

We arrived in Oban around 13:30.  We parked and had a wander round.  We went to the tourist information to get some lealets and we called in to an outdoors shop to check about the weather and to find out about indoor climbing opportunities.

We eventually managed to get hold of the B and B owner who said we could arriver whenever.  We went straight there and unpacked our stuff and found out some suggestions about where to eat that evening.  The B and B seems nice, rather eccentric owner!! 

We ended up in the Royal Hotel for dinner.  Lovely food and good portions.  We might even go back tomorrow night!!

Back at the B and B we had a quiet evening.

Holiday - Scotland Day 7 - Crazy Golf and Goatfell Walk

Scotland Holiday - Day 7

Crazy Golf and Goatfell Walk

Todays plan was to climb Goatfell all 874m in height of it. 

This morning the mountains were covered in clouds.  

We decded to take our time getting ready to allow the clouds some time to clear.  In Brodick we had a good view of where the top of the mountain should be!  We decided to play some crazy golf while we waited for the weather to clear.  

After an hour it was starting to look better so we would give it some more time while we had a bacon sandwich!!

The peak was clear the clouds were breaking up so we decided to set off.  We parked at the base of the mountain in the visitor centre car park and we began walking at about 13:00.

We stopped just above the tree line to take some photos of the view.

As we carried on walking the clouds covering the peak started to break up and clear.

We eventually made it to the top at 16.00.  There was an amazing view.

After taking some photos we had some late lunch!  We set off back down at 16.30 and were back at the car at 18.40. The view from the top was amazing.  Back at the car it was wonderful to rest my feet!

On the way back to Lamlash we stopped at the view point to take a photo of where we had just walked.

This evening we made ourselves some dinner, did some washing and packed everything up for moving on tomorrow.

Holiday - Scotland Day 6 - Drive around Isle of Arran

Scotland Holiday - Day 6

Drive around Isle of Arran

Todays plan was to drive around the Island and see what we find to stop at.  We stopped in Lamlash at the lifeboat station.  Unfortunately the boat was away and the shop was shut.  

Back in the car we made our to Brodick.  We passed a bakery and called in for some bread.  We decided to sample one of their pies also.  I asked what pies they had and got told they had a macaroni pie.  I was intrigued so I chose it.  I couldn't believe it - they actually put macaroni cheese in a pie!  It was very nice though.

We next made our way to Lochranza.  First stop was to the distillary to get some whisey as requested by my brother.

We next stopped at Newton's View Point, we had a great view of Kintyre.  We walked on round the coast to see Huttons unconformity (Hutton's Unconformity is a name given to various famous geological sites in Scotland identified by the 18th-century Scottish geologist James Hutton as places where the junction between two types of rock formations can be seen).  

Further on round the coast we stopped at the Old Byre Visitor Centre for some lunch and access to some wifi! Next we went to Drumadoon Point.  We parked at Blackwaterfoot and walked along the beach to Drumadoon point.

As we drove round the southern coast we kept an eye out for seals but sadly we didn't see any.  we made our way back to Dyemill to decide what to do for dinner.  

There seems to be a big lack of pubs on the Isle of Arran.  We ended up getting a chinese takeaway!!

The weather tomorrow seems a little iffy but our plan is still to climb Goatfell.

Holiday - Scotland Day 5 - Isle of Arran, Waterfall walk

Scotland Holiday -Day 5

Isle of Arran, Waterfall walk

This morning we packed everything up, loaded the car and set off for the Isle of Arran.  

We were aiming for a 12.30 crossing, we got there about 11.30 and found somewhere  sheltered to have some lunch.  At 12.15 they started to load up the ferry and by 12.30 we were on our way to Arran.  We got the ferry from Ardrossan to Brodick.  

The mountains of the north part of the island were very clear from the ferry.  

We arrived at13.25, When we got off the ferry we headed for Lamlash to find where we were staying.  We arrived at Dyemill Lodges around 2pm.  We were shown to our lodge and unpacked our stuff.  We had seen a waterfall walk  on the map we fancied doing so we headed out.  On the way we stopped to check out a place we had understood there were some climbing routes suitable for us. However we weren't in luck, we were either in the wrong place or didn't look in right place and ended up walking back to the car.  We parked up near the waterfalls walk and set off.  

It was a pleasant walk though it was quute muggy this evening.  At the top we had a great view of the waterfalls.  

The walk down was much quicker!  Back at the lodge we made the most of the better kitchen facilities and made ourselves a mini roast dinner!  We watched the local weather and it looks like it will be better on Sunday for walking up Goatfel, we will have to see what it looks like in the morning.

Holiday - Scotland Day 4 - Laggan Zip Wire, Loch Ken Kayaking, Clatteringshaws Loch Cream Tea

Scotland Holiday - Day 4

Laggan Zip Wire, Loch Ken Kayaking, Clatteringshaws Loch Cream Tea

This morning we woke up to beautiful sunshine.  We decided to go to Laggan Outdoor Activity Centre to go on their 820m zip wire!  One of the longest in Europe aparently.  We arived and had to fill out their safety forms, we were then suppled with a full body harness and a helmet.  Once kitted up we were driven up the bumpy track to the top.  The instructor set everything up and then clipped us in and with a brief countdown we were flung down the hill!  It was great and could have done it again and again!  

We had a bacon sandwich for lunch in the cafe there before going back to The Loft.  This afternoon we made our way to the Galloway Activity Centre to do some kayaking.  We had a lovely paddle round Loch Ken.  We drove on to New Galloway and then round to Clatteringshaws Loch.  

We parked and walked out to Bruce's Stone - It was just as the name suggests - A stone!!  

At the visitor centre we stopped for Tim to have a cream tea!!  Further along the road we tried to stop and walk to some waterfalls but unfortunately they were logging in that area so had shut the footpaths.  Back at The Loft we did some washing and got dinner ready - mmm Hunters Chicken :o) Tonight we need to sort our stuf out ready for an early start in the morning as we are going to the Isle Of Arran.

Holiday - Scotland Day 3 - Walk To Sel Gil Cave, Drive To Castle Douglas And Walk Carlingwark Loch

Scotland Holiday - Day 3

Walk To Sel Gil Cave, Drive To Castle Douglas And Walk Carlingwark Loch

This morning we went for a walk up to the entrances to Sel Gil Holes, it was a nice walk with lovely views.  Back at the hut we packed our stuff up and reloaded the car.  We headed to Ingleton for some lunch - they do great food in there, definately should have one near our caving club - I had chips and gravy in a giant yorkshire pudding!!  We left Ingleton around 2.30 -  Next stop was Scotland - our first place was Castle Douglas.  

We arrived at Barncrosh just gone 4.  We unloaded the car and found where we were staying - The Loft.  

Our first task was to do some shopping - we had already found out that there was a Tesco in Castle Douglas!  After doing the shopping and getting petrol we parked up atCarlingwark loch and set off on a little walk.  Tim had seen on the map that there was a walk around the Loch.  After a while we noticed we were walking further from the Loch and no longer walking round it!  We carried on thinking the path would curve round - however it never did!  We found ourselves out on a country lane!  We followed the roads back round to Castle Douglas and back to the car.  We had a look at the map to see where we had walked to find that there wasn't even a path around the Loch!!  Tim had misread it!! 

We set off back to The Loft however we didn't get far as the barrier on the car park was down.  We drove up to it and it didn't move, I got out to see if you had to lift it manually - it wouldn't budge.  I then saw a sign on the otherside that we had obviously missed saying that between 7pm and 10am you needed a card to access the car park!!!  Oops  by this time it was 7.30 so we were locked in!  We went into the caravan site next to it and found someone who very kindy lent us their card to let us out!!  Finally we could get on our way and make some dinner and do some washing!!