Green

Green! And trees! After two weeks in rocky bleak landscapes, it was a welcome sight to see green and trees and more green back on the mainland of Scotland.

 The spring green really has gone rampant. I love it!

We stayed for 6 days near the Crinan Canal which we wanted to cycle along. 14km long, we rode from one end to the other, had a coffee and chocolate cake, and rode back again to return the bikes. It was a perfect day out.

Crinan Canal was opened in 1801 to provide a shorter and safer route between Glasgow and the western highland islands rather than having to sail around the Mull of Kintrye. Can you see our green bikes leaning on the fence?

The Crinan Canal has 15 locks and seven bridges. Built for commercial reasons, it became a tourist attraction after Queen Victoria travelled along it in 1847.

Two boats in a lock.

One of the swing bridges opening to let a boat through.

It is used by 2000 recreational boats each year.  

The final bowl just before the sea lock at Crinan. The cafe in that white building makes delicious chocolate cake.

We drove down the Mull of Kintyre. Yes - that song.

We didn't quite make it to Sir Paul's farm but it is there in the distance somewhere, in the mist.

We spotted a wild beaver at Knapdale where they have been reintroduced after being extinct in Britain for 400 years. 

We visited Inveraray Castle where Sheryl's relative Isabella was the head house keeper for Princess Louise, Victoria's daughter, and the Duke of Argyll for many years in the mid to late 1800s.

We stood where Scottish kings were crowned in 600-1000 at Dunadd Fort in Kilmartin.

Could I fill the shoe/s of Scottish royalty?

And Tom took me for a ride near Loch Fyne.

All in all a very pleasant week, except for being attacked by midges while watching the beaver swimming. Today we head off further into the heart of Scotland (no doubt there will be more midges) where we will be in the country of some of my people.