Thursday

One of the highlights of the trip that we looked forward to, a few days to the Isle of Mull and the town of Tobermory.

First a drive over to the west coast and the port of Oban to catch the ferry to Craignure on the Island.

On the way we had a stop over at Loch Dochart, a popular swimming and kayaking place, on this Thursday it was relatively quiet and was very pleasant to stop and have a cool drink. When we came back on Sunday cars were parked in precarious positions along the small grass verges and there must have been hundreds there enjoying the sunny weather.

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Friday

Tobermory, the gem of Mull. We were ensconced in the Western Isles Hotel high on the edge of the harbour with majestic view of the town .

Today was a day of discovery. Marina was born on Mull, in all places a retirement home in the village of Salen, so we set off in search of said retirement home or a least where it was as it is now a small housing estate. We found the spot and without much else to see there carried on south.

The roads, except around the major centres, are challenging to say the least, single lane with multiple passing points fortunately most drivers are courteous and do the right thing. One notable exception was the young idiot towing a boat on the way to Iona who forced us to back up a fair way, he having powered through a passing point with he and his three mates grinning like morons, which they were.

Duart Castle was the next port of call, we had seen this from the ferry from Oban the day before. It is a 17th century building which was fortified further by King George II and home to his soldiers. A fairly barren place with not a lot going for it apart from the views.

Welcome Marina

Marina’s father, Donald Campbell, was a gamekeeper on the Loch Buie estate, so just as in an episode of “Who Do You Think You Are” we went to find out more information. The Loch Buie estate is a little over ten per cent of the Island of Mull so not a small enterprise , it also has it’s own castle, Moy, so there is also a little bit of tourism involved.

When we got to Moy castle there is a cafe a little distance away so we rocked up for coffee and cake, the cake arrived but the coffee didn’t as the machine broke down….

The estate was purchased in 1922 by the Corbett family, the previous owners, the Clan MacLean family , later known as MacLaine, had been there since the 14th century with the castle built in the 1600 hundreds. In 1773 Samuel Johnson (of dictionary fame) and James Boswell stayed there on their tour of the Highlands, in a building that was still standing.

The Manor house is located on private land so there was no chance to visit, however, Malcolm Wilde being Malcolm Wilde decided to phone the wife of the current owner, her name is Patience, so he did and explained who Marina was and so we got an invite to visit!

Both Patience and her husband James remembered Marina, her mother and her father Donald so there was a lot of remembering and stories including the fact that Marina’s mother was famous for her Millionaires Shortbread, or caramel slice for us Aussies.

Jame’s sister Mary and brother Peter also arrived who also had stories, including receiving a dog from Donald. Mary, it turns out as a ten year old had a crush on the gamekeeper and wanted a picture of Donald from Marina.

It was brilliant visit, upper crust English accents and all, great that her father was so fondly remembered and an invitation to visit anytime was issued.

Back to Tobermory

So after a great day out it was back to Tobermory for drinks and dinner.