Islay to Oban

Not only was the water nearly flat but this is a real ferry.  Calmac provides good, inexpensive service and I’ve been on them many times.

One trick I’ve learned is the somewhere on one of the outer decks I’ll find the kitchen vent pouring warm, deliciously aromaed air making a perfect place to stand.

Not much wind but the rain had only let up, not stopped

I met Mackay Smith, director of Islay Boys Ltd. distiller and brewer while we were waiting for the ferry.  The logo on his jacket said Islay Boys so I asked if he was an artist like the Glasgow Boys.  I think he was surprised I knew the reference.  After a few minutes of good craic he suggested we continue to talk onboard while he hosted a beer & whisky tasting.  I didn’t want to be rude.

Ketill Flatnose was a viking in the 9th century who conquered the Hebrides.  Note the 46%!  Many Islays are strong and heavily peaty but this is a smooth blend has a long smokey finish and a serious kick.

The bottle on the right is Barelegs.  This Islay is lightly peated with no “smoke out the ass”.  Name for Magnus Barelages or Barefoot who worked out a deal with the Scottish king that he would control the islands.  They defined an island as something one could circle in boat.  History tells us he sat in a boat that his men dragged across the Kintyre isthmus thereby declaring it an island under his control.   Smart chap.

 

And the beers were first rate. This one was smooth like a bitters. Remember this was a tasting so just a wee bit of each.

The required seal

The bus from Kennacraig to Islay is one of the most nerve-racking drives I’ve ever been on. I remembered it from an earlier ride. It shows what nerves of steel these drivers need as the bus trimmed the bushes both over and along the road.  Passing places were frequent.

I’ve been to Oban a number of times including last year for my first Shinty match. In fact the local championship game was going on when I arrived. I didn’t see the point of climbing up to McCaig’s Tower or Folly again as I’ve posted my earlier visits in previous posts. The car show Saturday was neat.

In the States the Audi would have men marked as a 4000, my first front wheel drive car from 1981.

And this waterfall was just across the street from my hotel room at the Wide Mouth Frog. a perfectly fine accommodation about 4 miles from the Oban rail, bus and ferry link.

The weather just got worse but the pub was just below my room where i found another good beer.  And the manager, after hearing i had locked up my debit card by entering the wrong pin allowed me to add cash to my room bill so I could get on a bus which doesn’t take US credit cards.