The day started off wet and very
dark.
As we went over the Ballachulish
Bridge some light appeared in the sky over the Pap of Glencoe. (And that lamp-post really was leaning at
that angle!) In the distance you can see the Pap of Glencoe, a mountain on the Northern side of Glencoe.
We have often passed Castle Stalker
on but I have never stopped there before.
This time we called in at the visitor centre for a coffee. It is believed that Castle Stalker, much in
its present form, was built by the then Lord of Lorn, Sir John Stewart, in
about 1388. King James IV of Scotland
enjoyed staying there and hunting in the area.
A patch of blue sky gradually
appeared as we crossed over Loch Creran – “Enough blue to make a sailor a pair
of trousers”, as my grandmother would say.
But the skies darkened again as we
went over the Connel Bridge and big drops of rain landed on the car windows.
We arrived at the Argyll in
Inveraray in late afternoon. We like
this hotel with its pleasant service, excellent food and comfortable beds and
have been back a few times now.
We had a wander around the town for
a while…
…and then dressed for dinner.
And dinner was as good as always.
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Wow, impressive dinner plates! And PWLT looks very nice in that lacey top.
ReplyDeleteCastle Stalker has something forbidding about it, but who knows, it might be really cosy inside. Is it accessible any other way than by boat? Hard to tell from the picture, but it looks as if it is on a tiny island.
It is on an island, Meike. I don't know if it can be reached on foot when the tide is out or not.
DeleteI can't remember Castle Stalker at all. I shall probably be going to Mull at some time so shall combine the two.
ReplyDeleteI never noticed it until you or Jo drove me past it - if you are driving past it it is gone too quickly for you to notice it. But it now has a visitor centre with a sign.
DeleteThe landscapes are fascinating. I would so love to visit with my camera...
ReplyDeleteMersad
Mersad Donko Photography
Wow... this brought back memories! I drove that same road - and I have a large poster, made from a photo I took of Castle Stalker, from the exact same angle you took it, on my living room wall! I also rode horseback on the shore of that loch. The lady who owned the horses told me Castle Stalker had electricity and heat thanks to a movie company that wanted to use it as a location. The owner said fine, but you have to install heating, electricity, and other amenities as the price.
ReplyDeleteThe things you managed to fit into your Scottish time!!
DeleteThat first photo and the moodiness - you caught it, John. Well done. M
ReplyDeleteCastle Stalker looks familiar somehow... Where from, I'm not sure. Maybe there are other Scottish castles looking similar, or the view may have been used in some film or other.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo of Castle Stalker. A perfect "calendar photo"! I like Jo's lacy white top too, and the fact that Washington enjoyed the views as well! xoxoxo
ReplyDeleteA well known landmark although I have not been there.
ReplyDeleteDespite the rainy conditions, you still managed some lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteJo is super cute in her lacy white blouse....she knows how to stop your eyes from wandering...smart lady.
The dinner looks delicious and filling....glad you enjoyed it.
I love your grandmother's saying, "Enough blue to make a sailor a pair of trousers." I will always be reminded of this now when I see an overcast sky with a little blue.