By now you're probably wondering why I called this the "Pay and Display" Tour. Well, there were so many places where we had to pay to park, and most of them were "Pay and Display". As an example, on our way from Drumbeg to Gairloch, we had planned to stop at the Corrieshalloch Gorge, at the junction of the A835 and the A832, as we had done many times in the past. I was aggrieved to find that there was a parking charge to see the gorge. I said to Mrs A, "There is no way in h-e-double hockey sticks that I am going to pay to park here", so off we went without stopping.
Wednesday, July 10th.: Breakfast at Jac-o-bites once again, then back to the hotel to pack. Our car had been parked at the hotel for two days, so when we took our luggage out to stow it in the car, we discovered that the local seagulls had left many messy deposits all over it. We had to borrow a bucket of hot water and some rags from dear Jenna at the reception desk, and spent the better part of half an hour cleaning off the bird droppings. Our situation generated some interesting conversations in the car park.
After a sad farewell to Mallaig, we headed east on the A830, bound for Callander, in the Trossachs. We're old enough to remember when the 830 was a single track road with passing places, all the way to Fort William. We filled the petrol tank at Morrison's in Fort William, and enjoyed another "Meal Deal" while sitting in the car. Then it was off to Callander, by way of Glencoe and Lochearnhead. We arrived in Callander and checked in to the Old Rectory Hotel. We wandered through the town and found an excellent Chinese restaurant, where we got an excellent takeout meal. Later, there was a music session at the Old Rectory, with a wonderful traditional duo called Pure Malt. We heard a lot of our favourites, and had a grand time singing along.
Thursday, July 11th.: We drove to Loch Katrine for a sailing on the steamship Sir Walter Scott. It was a most enjoyable trip along the loch to Stronachlachar and back. Later, we took a walk part way around the loch, visited the charity shops in Callander, took an evening walk along the River Teith, and shared an excellent meal of haggis, neeps, and tatties back at the hotel.
Friday, July 12th.: We drove back to Loch Katrine, and took a longer walk around the loch. We stopped at one overlook, and a lady who was picnicking there said that she had just seen and adder under a bench. Mrs A thought that she had said "otter", and was excited to wait to see if it made a reappearance. After the lady left, I told Mrs A that is was an adder she had seen, not an otter. Mrs A decided to leave quickly!
After Loch Katrine, we drove back to Callander, and did our wash at the excellent self service laundrette under the public loos. Then it was off to Oban, after a "Meal Deal" at the Callander Tesco.
We arrived in Oban in the evening, and checked in to the Premier Inn. Parking was a bit of a problem, as their car park is small, so we ended up street parking. Had dinner at the PI.
Saturday, July 13th.: Drove to Ellenabeich for the ferry to Easdale. On the way, we crossed the "Bridge over the Atlantic", which connects the mainland to the Island of Seil. We spent several hours on Easdale, walking around the entire island, visiting with Obi, the African grey parrot, and enjoying tea and cake at the Puffer Bar and Restaurant. On our return to Oban, we found parking on the street once again, walked through town, and had takeaway fish and chips from Norie's.
Sunday, July 14th.: Bastille Day. We headed north this time, for Port Appin and the ferry to Lismore. We spent a few hours hiking on Lismore, and thought that we saw the outline of three Minke whales in Loch Linnhe. The gulls seemed to think so, as well. After we returned from Lismore, we picked up several books from the free Little Library in the Port Appin phone box. (But wait, there's more...!)