Breakfast at Greystones is fantastic. Tom has found a new addiction -- whisky porridge. It is made with a smaller grain oatmeal than in the US with a little whisky and brown sugar -- delicious! After breakfast we head out on a mission to go to the Isle of Mull. Walking down the dock, we pause at the fish monger -- fresh crabs.
The symbol on the ferry gangway is a Scottish symbol -- a red lion rearing on its left paw.
In to the Ferry Terminal to purchase tickets.
This tall ship motors noisily in to port each evening.
A view of town capped by McCaig's folly. Greystones is right behind the red stack which is the Distillery.
A ferry selfie.
Our ferry opening its car bay looks like a hungry shark.
On the way to Mull, Kathy spies an overgrown castle ruin.
This gull hovered over the ferry deck waiting for food -- an expert flyer, she can hover drafting over the ferry without a wing flap for minutes.
The gull finally rests.... but is not on the girl's head.
A tent village on Mull.
A cartoon map of Mull. The ferry ride from Oban to Mull takes about an hour.
The ferry arrives from Oban at the village of Craigmure on the far east side of Mull. We immediately jump a double decker bus to go to Tobermory at the extreme northeast end of the island -- about an hour bus ride. We take a seat in the open air section.
An orderly grave yard along the way.
One of the main industries on Mull is logging for export.
Another is fish farming -- probably salmon. We don't know for sure because our ear phones for the recorded tour commentary quit shortly after the bus ride started.
The bus went by the local hospital. The hospital does the basics. Anything complicated must be airlifted to Oban or Glasgow. Hope you don't get too badly hurt on Mull.
The village of Tobermory.
The Isle of Mull is the second largest member (next to Skye) of the Inner Hebrides. In 2011 it had a resident population of 2800. Much of the population lives in Tobermory.
The place that we find for lunch is called The Gallery and is located in what appears to be an old church.
Tom quickly finds an Ale of Mull. He is doing pretty well on his survey of Scottish beers.
While Kathy has the boring old mussels, Tom goes out on a limb for the Cullen Skink soup -- made from smoked haddock, potatoes, and lots of cream. With brown bread it goes well with the ale.
Lots of mussels.
Well, maybe not that boring after all.
Kathy's always checking out the gambling fix. It has been a while though.
Kathy likes flowers.
and more flowers...
I guess she is an otter hugger too.
A different pet restrainer.
A ferry from a bus.
More ferns, water, and mountains...
and sheep, trees and mountains....
At this point, we are on the return bus (a return ticket on the bus cost 10£ per person) at the top deck front window. Narrow roads and close encounters!
Feet up and enjoy the show!! This is a single track (1 lane) road with passing spots.
One HUGE passer! Move over!
And wide passers.
Sometimes the bus rules.
And sometimes there is a mini-traffic jam.
Needless to say, we survive the bus trip and make it back to the ferry.
Since it is raining we pick the inside lounge for this trip back to Oban (pronounced O' bun). A family showing their tendencies -- this family looks like we feel....asleep or distracted!
An island in the stream.
Back to Oban.
Dinner at Coast. This is a squash risotto salad -- delicious.
A walk back up the hill to Greystones. Susan at Greystones explained the walk from town as "short but steep". The steep part was an understatement.
McCaig's Tower is illumated at night like the bridge in Glasgow....makes for sweet dreams!
