Another purile (sic) tale from the Highlands and Islands...

1967spud Reloading Supplies Ltd - UK Suppliers for Reloading Equipment supplies, We also stock Bullet Heads and Bullet Cases Guns Cabinets, Night vision and much much more...
Warning this post may contain (almost certainly will) puerile content.


"Go to Islay" said my friend...

"Lots to do on Islay" said my friend...

"Lots for your wife to do on Islay" said my friend.

Yeah. About that...

Long short.

I went to Islay. Worse than that, I went to Islay with my wife. I invited my wife. I did not invite Storm Eowyn...


Islay is a long way from my wee house. Pretty much it is two days trek. Start with your back to the English Channel and stop when you fall into the water left of Glasgow. At least that is what the AA rout planner says. It was not wrong.

Whilst we had planned to stay in the Stonehouse Castle - they had decided to close for the inbound leg of our journey, and so we ended up in a wee B&B in Tarbert. Clean enough, but we needed to find somewhere to eat dinner, and Tarbert at this time of year is not exactly bustling.

IMG_4361.jpeg

We did find a small hotel which was open and had a really good seafood dish and a couple of drams. I was not to know but this was perhaps the nicest meal of the trip.

The following morning, and the ferry hoves into view. I still get that childish sense of excitement whenever I see a ferry. It is shared with a sense of anxiety that I am not holding a paper ticket, and that my phone will 'magic' me and the car onboard. I don't know how but it does just that.
IMG_4376.jpeg


The crossing to Islay is about two hours. I made the fatal mistake of 'relaxing' the moment we weigh anchor. Two days trek and we are finally here - only we are not here are we. I still have to drive on the island. I make an executive decision and hand the car keys to my wife...


IMG_4380.jpeg

I have a couple of days stalking booked, and hope to spend some time showing my wife around. My 'friend' said there was plenty of places to take her, and much to show her...that's what my friend said...

The island is (all islands are ) beautiful.


IMG_4406 2.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Click to expand...
We arrive on Islay in the dark. Somehow we find the cottage - why they do not use what3words is beyond me, but we find it.

The following morning, I take my wife on a tour of the island my 'friend' has so highly recommended...

IMG_4398.webp

Bugger. Let's try the world famous sea food place, it is only the other end of Islay...

IMG_4393 2.webp

Of FFS!


We somehow mange to get into one of the Whisky tours...Islay is famous for its peat whisky.

IMG_4424.webp


It is the morning tour, but even so, we find ourselves tucking in at an un-Godly hour to be tasting anything out of a barrel...
IMG_4428.webp


Thank God, the distilleries have created a 3 Distilleries footpath - we walk back to the cottage and just admire the views...


IMG_4430.webp
 
Amongst me failing as a husband, I manage to get out for three trips on the hill.

It is not a massive Estate but it is beautiful - you do not have to get much elevation before you can appreciate the coastline.
IMG_4479.jpeg

The island is 'littered' with old settlements, ancient walls and traces of folk from centuries ago. It is magical.

IMG_4410 2.jpeg

IMG_4443.jpeg

Slowing approaching the crests to spy into the next glen...

IMG_4458.jpeg


Standing spying...
IMG_4402.jpeg


For those who care about these things.

Sako 75 in .308
Home load 'non-lead'126.5gr Yewtree @ 45gr N140. @Yew Tree Fieldsports

Stalk 1 = 1 Fallow Yeld Hind
Stalk 2 = Blank (absolutely no wind - cigarette smoke just hanging).
Stalk 3 = 1 Red Hind (alone and unlikely to make it to the end of February - poor condition left on the hill for the Eagles)
2 x Red Hinds

We are starting to hear weather warnings.

"Do not travel".

"Stay at home"

"Schools closed"

Then my wife's mobile phone signalled the Government warning siren...


This could get interesting...
 
Last edited:
Stalker62 said:
We arrive on Islay in the dark. Somehow we find the cottage - why they do not use what3words is beyond me, but we find it.

The following morning, I take my wife on a tour of the island my 'friend' has so highly recommended...

View attachment 404804

Bugger. Let's try the world famous sea food place, it is only the other end of Islay...

View attachment 404806

Of FFS!


We somehow mange to get into one of the Whisky tours...Islay is famous for its peat whisky.

View attachment 404805


It is the morning tour, but even so, we find ourselves tucking in at an un-Godly hour to be tasting anything out of a barrel...
View attachment 404807


Thank God, the distilleries have created a 3 Distilleries footpath - we walk back to the cottage and just admire the views...


View attachment 404808
Click to expand...
Is that a "peat knife" or some other name, just dialed Gavin's number but went to answer phone! did leave a short message
 
Starfish restaurant in Tarbert is recommended for great food. The owners also have a great b&b within easy reach of the ferry terminal.

Islay does not necessarily give up its secrets every day, nor readily. The pic below is of a beach which I only ‘discovered’ having holidayed there for more than twenty years.. ( wild goats on the foreshore, another beach has twice seen only ourselves plus a sea eagle as the day visitors)

IMG_0993.jpeg
 
Storm Eowyn hit Islay on the Friday.

It didn't just hit Islay, it smashed it to bits.

The cottage loses power and off goes the TV, radio and heating..

Luckily we still have comms. on the mobile phone. I know this because CalMac have just messaged me to say that tomorrow's sailing in cancelled. JHC!
IMG_4472.webp


The cottage loses tiles (front and back). The roads are blocked with fallen timber. Litter from knocked over bins is everywhere.

Ardbeg distillery loses its roof.

Unknown.webp



My wife loses her sense of humour.

images.webp


"So S62" says my 'friend'..."What was Islay like?"....


"Emotional" says I.

"Emotional"....
 
I fondly recall the cuisine on Islay. ‘Deep fried Haggis with a garnish’. Call me old fashioned but I’ve always considered ‘garnish’ to be salad based, a lettuce leaf, maybe a slice of tomato and cucumber. But oh no, not on Islay. The garnish was chips!
 
Hello, A lovely write up and Photos Stalker 62 👍 , The ferry reminds me of my first trip to Southern Ireland going to the Match Making Festival at Lisdoonvarna in Co Clare,
 
You will have heard about the 'calm before the storm', well this is the 'calm after the storm'...

IMG_4498.jpeg

We have been 'stranded' on the island for a further 24/24.

We were due out of the cottage yesterday but as my wife pointed out:- "We can't get off the island and the new guests cannot get on". She is (of course) right - but it has been an awkward day or so.

Port Kennacraig on the mainland, and Port Ellen on Islay have been damaged. The locals have worked like Trojans to clear roads, and CalMac are doing the same with the ports.

We head off to Port Askaig (north Islay) and hope for the best.

We set off in plenty of time, but I have no idea the conditions of the roads. They are (oft) single-track and (fun fact) 'bounce' on the peat on which they lay. We get to Askaig.

IMG_4501.jpeg

In due course the ferry turns up, and I mentally 'high five' CalMac for their efforts.

Being first in line, I am directed onto the mezzanine deck of the ferry. An interesting experience if one has not done that before...
IMG_4504.jpeg

The crossing is uneventful and we land back on the mainland and make our way over to the Stonefield Castle.

Warm room, hot water, lights, TV and radio - it is heaven. I have not had a hot (anything actually) bath for a week.
I soon put that wee omission to rights.


IMG_4510.jpeg


"Will you just give me five minutes to dry my hair?", says my wife.

I cannot abide loitering around for my wife to 'get ready'.

"No. I am just going to pop down to the bar".

"Why can't you wait five minutes?"

Because it is never just 'five minutes' and here is why - this is waiting for me downstairs...

IMG_4513.jpeg
 
Last edited:
Welcome back.....some lovely views of what is a lovely Island.......sometimes.....
Yes it can get a tad breezy on the West Coast,
Yes, lots of places shut down for the early months of the year,
Blo ody Calmac are a nightmare, but to be honest nothing was moving during Storm Eowyn, so I am prepared to give them some slack this time........


It'll be great the next time you go........:D
 
Ahah! So you and the John fella from down under didn’t run off together after all.
Having experienced the storm from just over the Irish Sea I am genuinely surprised that Islay didn’t actually shift to the mainland!
Lovely tale and beautifully told, thank you sir, though I couldn’t help but notice the omnipresent alcohol or distillery in most of the pics….
🦊🦊
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

  • Article Article
A Cautionary Tale of Gun Safety.
2
Replies
29
Views
1K
RoryB
R
  • Article Article
The first and last ibex - tightroping Tajikistan's ridges (Part 2)
2
Replies
20
Views
1K
Roebuck9
R
  • Article Article
The first and last ibex - tightroping Tajikistan's ridges (Part 1)
Replies
11
Views
626
Dewbit
D
  • Article Article
A Red letter day
Replies
9
Views
525
Mike1979
M
  • Article Article
End of season 3 day cull
Replies
18
Views
939
Mike1979
M
1967spud Reloading Supplies Ltd - UK Suppliers for Reloading Equipment supplies, We also stock Bullet Heads and Bullet Cases Guns Cabinets, Night vision and much much more...
Back
Top