Oban and the Clansman…

After our successful day with Vicki yesterday, there was just time to snatch a quick breakfast at the hotel and then it was off in Bessie again, back to Oban.  In the rain…

As we headed westwards the weather gradually improved and the skies brightened.  Scotland is a country of dramatic skylines and fascinating cloud formations.

We had allowed plenty of time to get to Oban – just in case – but all went well and we arrived with hours to spare.  It’s always interesting watching the coming and going of different vessels and their passengers and we noticed the tiny ferry, Raasay, that had carried us from Ardnamurchan to Mull – it looked even smaller!

The Clansman eventually appeared on the horizon…

…and we watched the passengers disembark and the crew in charge of clearing the rubbish wave to the people on the quay as they marched back on board with their empty bins!

Having been the first in the queue, because we were so early, we were virtually the last to be called onboard.  Peter was anxious because he wanted to make sure that we got to the campsite before anyone else that might be headed that way.  It was a very smooth crossing but colder than last time.

The ferry from Lochaline to Fishnish (Mull)

Tobermory disappears after a brief appearance

We spent some time on deck but, after taking a few photos, we decided to go below decks and get something to eat.  As before, our meal was excellent – beef olives with roast potatoes.  We managed to make it last until we could see Barra and the long chain of smaller islands to its south appear – a journey of over five hours in total.  It was great to see Castlebay again, glowing in the evening sunshine.

The familiar road passed all the landmarks we remembered so well and it was wonderful to see the island in glorious technicolor.

Being such a small island, it wasn’t long before we reached Croft No.2 and a warm welcome from Mary and Angus.  Two large pieces of iced sponge cake were handed over and we thoroughly enjoyed them with a mug of coffee as the sun set in a Hebridean sky.

We had come back to our spiritual home…