Well there’s one of us caught being a slug-a-lugs, abed and with binoculars to admire the birds on Loch nan Clacha Mòra. Well, it was a very comfy viewing position and I was still feeling much relieved to be able to see at all.
We breakfasted and made the short journey to Lochboisdale. Good old Calmac (formerly Macbraynes) run a long haul ferry from Oban to Lochboisdale. The direct ferry takes more than five hours and if you stop off on Barra on the way you can add nearly two hours more. This just gives an idea of scale. It is quite some way out to the Outer Hebrides.
Loch Boisdale rather than the little place, stretches some way inland. In fact, let’s take a look at a map.
Daliburgh – or Dalabrog is at the top left with the A865 road passing through it en route to Lochboisdale at the end of its journey. Our flat was on the B road, just about by the letter L of that local loch. Each square represents a square kilometre on the map, so you can see we hadn’t travelled far.
This, clearly, was in the place of Lochboisdale and it was close to the ferry terminal, Ferries are infrequent. There’s probably just one ship to run the service.
Two views of a lobster pot wall
I started to ‘collect’ the services offered in Daliburgh. It didn’t have police, but Lochboisdale did.
Sue, with better eyes than I had, told me there was a rather strange bird – some kind of heron on the back spar of this boat. Yes, there was a very strange bird.
It was plastic and wearing a bowler hat and yellow wellies! Maybe the traditionally dour Scots have a sense of humour.
Here and there the sun broke through, lightening up the hills – but close at hand it was a bit gloomy – although not raining and not windy.
Mist hung over some of the hills, but a group of youngsters had clearly decided that the flat promontory had made a suitable campsite. They had all but packed away ready for a march to somewhere.
There’s the ferry route – along the loch, which makes this a safe haven and then out to the open sea.
I was surprised to find a cattle market in Lochboisdale. It was not in operation but I was told it did have sales a few times a year.
On a short walk we found some geese and ducks – kept rather than wild animals – on a little lochan.
What a glorious view they had – if they happened to be interested.
Now what on earth was that? It looked military and nasty to me.
The low tide seaweed was a delight to see with its rich mix of hues. And over there to the south there’s a patch of sunshine again. It was time to head off that way.
