The Armin Grewe Homepage
The week was over all too quick and it was time to leave Islay again to travel back to Swindon. To avoid having to rush to catch the morning ferry I had decided to take the afternoon ferry back to Kennacraig, giving me some time for my departure. After a lazy morning and a good breakfast I packed my bags and left Port Charlotte for the short drive to Bruichladdich. Similar to my visit in 2003 I decided to make myself another birthday present and bought an Octomore Future. Depending on how long Jim McEwan decides it needs to mature I guess I will be able to taste it some time between 2010 and 2018.

My next stop was at the brewery where I stocked up on Islay Ale. From here it was on to Persabus for a visit to Persabus Pottery. I had a cup of tea, bought a replacement Port Charlotte lighthouse (unfortunately mine had been damaged a few weeks before) and had a nice chat with the Fletchers who run the pottery. Very interesting to learn about the changes on Islay from people who have lived there all their life.

Picture of a view over the sound of Islay
Picture of a view over Freeport towards Port Askaig with the ferry arriving With some time left I drove down to Port Askaig and parked my car in the waiting area. As the weather was quite nice and sunny I decided to quickly walk past Freeport and up the cliffs for the nice view over the Sound of Islay which we weren't able to enjoy during the first walk I participated in.

Quicker than expected the ferry arrived and I had to rush back to my car to be ready for boarding. Boarding was completed quickly and we left towards Kennacraig.

With the sun shining the views back to Islay were very nice, in particular over to Beinn Bheigier where we had walked a few days earlier and McArthur's Head with the lighthouse.

Picture of view from the ferry to Beinn Bheigier and McArthur's Head
Picture of a view over Islay, the Sound of Islay and Jura from the ferry
Picture of the Cairndow Stagecoach Inn From Kennacraig I drove to Cairndow with a short stop at Inveraray. I had a reservation at the Cairndow Stagecoach Inn, conveniently close to the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar, where I had dinner in the evening.

After a good nights sleep I went jogging at the Ardkinglas Woodland Garden in the morning before starting the long drive back to Swindon.

My last stop in Scotland was at Loch Lomond near Inverbeg to enjoy the view over the loch to Ben Lomond. This view is also available as QuickTime VR panorama of the view over Loch Lomond and Ben Lomond.

Good bye for now...

Panoramic picture of a view over Loch Lomond to Ben Lomond

Evening walk at Portnahaven <- WalkIslay 2005