On the road

August 18

Lovely start to the day, sun over the loch and a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs and salmon to make sure I didn't falter throughout the day.

Departure direction Oban, where we stopped for coffee at the Caledonian Hotel amidst a downpour which spoiled our view of the harbour. It would have been nice if we had been able to walk around and absorb the feel of the place.

On to Port Appin and the hotel which is a low lying house right on the road with a small porch. The whole area is definitely a boating area, with many small sailing vessels moored along the shoreline. Left the bags at the hotel and onto GlenCoe, where first stop was at the visitor centre. Jeff and I had a little walk around the nature walk, dodging the raindrops and then into the cafe for lunch, much needed! Decided to give the 'GlenCoe Experience' a miss and onto the road again. The clouds shrouding the tops of the mountains along with the rain combined to make a very atmospheric landscape. One can almost imagine the people of two or three hundred years ago walking along well trodden paths, pausing for the night along the route at a small inn. The rain caused many waterfalls adding to the rain sodden appearance of the Glen which added to the reflections on the massacre of the MacDonalds on 13 April 1792.

Made them stop for some Kodak moments even though a dismal day with flat light. A mile long detour down to GlenCoe village, through some lovely woodland populated by youth hostels and caravan sites and a caravanette (what is that??) site. A brief stop at the massacre monument, itself hidden along a small road, a tall thin Celtic Cross on a mound of stones.

The hotel is a gem! Individually decorated rooms, comfortable beds and a welcome by Hamish the Coo. A room with a view of the water and lighthouse which does work as we saw that night.
A lovely shower and down to find the party ensconced in the sitting room around the fire. The sitting room has large plate glass windows which allow you to look out onto the road, but that paled into insignificance as the food and service soon took all your attention. The meal was finished back in the sitting room with the fire with our tea and coffee, obviously the other diners thought the drawing room beyond the sitting room was more to their taste. A brief sojourn outside for the smokers and then up to bed, no doubt to the relief of the staff. Probably they don't have that many night owls staying there!

A finishing touch to the night, they had laid out my sleeping gear on the bed, with Hamish at the head!

http://www.glencoescotland.com/ (it appears that Glenfinnan is not the only Harry Potter scenic spot)