Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Westward to Oban, Mull and Iona

First stop on our journey to the West Coast was at Oban. Above photo shows the view from the shore at Oban across to the Isle of Kerrera.
Calm sea , calm sky. Looking across to the Sound of Kerrera.
McCaig's Tower dominates the skyline at Oban. It is a prominent folly on the hillside (called Battery Hill). It is built of Bonawe granite taken from the quarries across Airds Bay, on Loch Etive, with a circumference of about 200 metres with two-tiers of 94 lancet arches (44 on the bottom and 50 on top).
The structure was commissioned, at a cost of £5,000 sterling , by the wealthy, philanthropic banker (North of Scotland Bank), John Stuart McCaig.
The Isle of Mull Ferry setting off for Craignure.
The Clansman at Oban. It sails to Castlebay, Barra and Lochboisdale, South Uist.

No comments: