On the way to Islay - Scotland Summer 2006

	After a very nice week (apart from the weather not really cooperating) in Wester Ross and an excellent stay at the Kinlochewe Hotel it was time to move on. Islay was waiting for me for the second week of my holidays. One decision I still had to make was which way I was going to travel from Kinlochewe. I had two options to consider: Either I could drive east to Inverness and then down Loch Ness, or drive west over Torridon, Lochcarron and Shiel Bridge. Both routes would take me to Invergarry, from where I would drive south past Fort William, Oban and Lochgilphead to Tarbert. I decided to go for the second option and the more scenic route. While also nice I had already driven the Loch Ness route several times and I had enough petrol to get me at least to Oban.

My first stop was at a nice viewpoint between Torridon and Shieldaig for a nice view over Upper Loch Torridon. Unfortunately the clouds were still fairly low, Beinn Alligin and Liathach were mostly hidden in the clouds. North Skye was just visible in the distance. Another place to return to on a clear and sunny day.
	As the clouds were still lingering the drive wasn't as nice as I had hoped for, although it was still nice. Just not many photo opportunities. Once I reached Spean Bridge and in particular after passing Fort William the clouds started to lift and made way to some very nice sunshine. I used the opportunity for a short stop at Castle Stalker View for a look at Castle Stalker. The castle looked very nice in the sunshine with the hills of Mull in the distance. In Oban I stopped for a short time to fill up with petrol and some quick shopping before continuing south in search of a nice place for a break and a picnic. A late lunch was finally had at a very nice spot between Arduaine and Garraron, overlooking Asknish Bay. I almost missed it and had to double back after initially driving past.

	It was a very mild and pleasant afternoon, sitting in the sun and looking over the various islands in the distance was very nice. I would have liked to stay longer, but still had to drive to Tarbert by the evening. Having just passed Lochgilphead I was stopped by something I haven't seen often in this area: A traffic jam. An accident had blocked the road and nothing was getting past. As I didn't have to catch a ferry this day I wasn't too worried, but called the hotel that I would be later than expected. The wait was made much easier by the fantastic view down Loch Fyne with the Isle of Arran on the horizon. Then the traffic was moving again and early in the evening I arrived at the West Loch Hotel near Tarbert. I had a very nice dinner after a short walk along the loch, then going to bed for an early night. Lot's of plans for the next day...

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