Our adventures in Uist and Barra, the Outer Hebrides

Monday and I am nearly in the bad books having forgotten my wedding anniversary - but - in the great story of life I am sure we will get over it . On the other hand, yesterday we had a "wee bit of a glitch" when our bus was grounded as it was leaving the ferry and ripped the bottom out of the automatic transmission - result, one bus defunct and stuck on the boat, so it had to be towed off by a tractor - then we sat for two hours, which in reality, considering it was a Sunday, and a spare bus arrived from Hebridean coachlines to get us the rest of the way to the Isle of Barra Beach Hotel. Barra. was not bad.

This hotel is sited on one of the most idyllic beaches on the island and as today's pictures show. However I have loads more on the other camera and when I get home I will write a lot more. We had an excellent

evening meal on arrival, a great nights sleep in really comfortable beds, a great breakfast before our doay out and yet another great meal tonight. RThe owners and staff have done everything possible to make our stay memorable.

This morning we had a run out round the Island, visited St Barr's church and then went to the airport to watch the FLYBE flight come in from Glasgow, landing on the beach, drop off thirteen passengers and then thirty minutes later take off with another dozen for Benbecula - I think that this is a must for us in the future - a breathtaking experience.

I think that Roddy our driver was probably a lot happier in the borrowed bus as he took us along some really "hairy" roads, causing a few gasps of breath and forcing a couple of drivers into reversing maneuvers to get back into the passing places on what was a really narrow single track road,
After Castlebay, we headed back to the Isle of Barra Hotel where the sun was out and we all headed for the beach which was magnificent - I even had a wee paddle to myself, but future photos might give you a better idea.

So on Tuesday we think that poor Roddy. our driver, will be putting us on the ferry to Oban where we will be met by a replacement coach while he heads back up north again through the Islands to retrieve his own coach which hopefully will be repaired. My impression is that things actually get done quicker and more efficiently here, despite, the relative isolation than on the mainland.

More to follow when I get home.

A whistle stop tour of Lewis

Just a quick summary of our adventures today, but I have just used the small camera and hopefully will later do some little features using more photos.

Fairly long run north by coach and we thought we had plenty of time to spare for the ferry, however we arrived with only ten minutes to spare !!! But the did admit that the ferry was leaving an hour early as it was squeezing in six crossings instead of the normal two a day.

We left the mainland, Ullapool, on the MacBraynes boat "Isle of Lewis" and in good weather, nearly three hours later we reached
Stornoway in pouring rain and a blowing gale. Fortunately, the Caladh Hotel was only a couple of minutes away and the staff were all prepared for us. What a wonderful evening meal, great selection of food and extremely well prepared and presented. Staff were first class and could not do too much to help us.

We were, however, very tired and zonked out by 10 p.m.

Up with the larks and had a wee walk down round the harbour before an excellent breakfast, including the world famous "Stornaway black pudding" - and then off in the coach.

We made off up the east coast to Tolsta, where we saw "the bridge to nowhere" built in the early 1900's but the road ran out of funds so the road stops at the edge of the bridge. The bay is beautiful (normally basked in sunshine), but we stopped short of the ritual paddle this morning.

Next stop was the standing stones at Callanish, a "magic" circle of stones dating back 3000 - 4000 years which makes them older than Stonhenge or the Pyramids of Egypt.

Next stop was the brock at Dun Carloway, dating back to 100 - 300BC, on a prominent headland with spectacular views

We stopped off at the Blackhouse Village, Carloway, before heading home where, of course we went to Tesco's !!!!

On our way to Stornoway

The adventure begins, everyone up and wandering about in a daze - William and Sandra arrived from London by BMI yesterday afternoon and this morning we head north west , making for Ullapool, then Stornoway - and for the next few days will work our way southwards through the Outer Hebrides. I have always wanted to make this trip, even planned it for the motorbike, and now I am getting to do it.

No idea how accessible Internet will be , but I am taking photos, etc.

Bit tough on Hearts last night , bit of a walloping by Spurs at Tyncastle, but i am sure they will win 8 - 0 when they go to play the second leg in London !!

The Harley Davidson dream lives on

It is just a pity I am not a few years younger or I might well have been tempted to treat myself to a new motor cycle !!!

For the last thirteen years while visiting KB, I have often looked over to the Harley Showroom but up until last week had never dropped in - but there I was "Toys for Boys" in my glory with these bikes costing up to £26500.

Interestingly - I discovered that the highly chromed bikes were easier to keep clean than those with a matt finish - but I do not think it will be my problem - I will just have to make do with my existing steed of steel.

Glenkinchie Distillery, a lovely lowland malt

I have spent the last three days down at the Dolphin Inn, reasonably busy and kept entertained by the many customers. Yesterday I took a run up to the most southern whisky distillery in Scotland, namely Glenkinchie, which is sited in the tiny little village of Bolton near to Pencaitland.

My association with "Kinchie" goes back many years as it was part of my Divisional beat and we occasionally dropped in for quick visit, occasional game of bowls when the green was still playable and while secretary of the Twinning Association used to take our French visitors there.

There have been big changes made since Diago incorporated the distillery into the company, a lovely new visitor reception centre, etc. I did not go into the site beyond the reception but hopefully they still have the massive working model which was sent to the Great Exhibition in Crystal Palace , London.

Certainly well worth a visit, AND I even bought a bottle of their 12 Year Old single malt whisky !!

Prince Albert Victor Sundial , Edinburgh Meadows,

Over the park from the Masons Pillars at the entrance to the Edinburgh Meadows is the Prince Albert sundial, erected in commoration of the opening of the great Exhibition of 1886 by Prince Albert Victor of Wales. There are eight different types of stone used in the eleven layers. Masons marks at different levels, and on each of the lower facings several sayings.

The sundial on the top is set at Edinburgh time , 12' 45" of Greenwich time. On the ring is inscribed " Let others tell of storms and showers,

I'll only count the sunny hours"

Semi hidden Masonic treasures of Edinburgh

I have sort of lost track of the past few days, been busy with all sorts of things - however - out of the blue, passing comments about the pillars / statues at either end of the Meadows, Edinburgh, which are now relatively well hidden by trees I discovered that there was a history there. My Uncle had a book in his book case which showed the pillars as they were first constructed in 1886, one by the Freemasons of Leith, and the other by the Freemasons of Edinburgh, to act as the entrance pillars of the great exhibition which took place in the meadows in 1886. Totally fascinating, each pillar, designed by James Gowans, Lord Dean of Guild, erected by the masons, each level of stone from a different quarry from both Scotland and the north of England, bearing the Imperial crest; the crests of Scotland ;the crests of England; Scotland;Ireland, the nineteen Scottish Burghs and the crest of the Edinburgh masons.

Each level of stone also had the anme of the quarry which suppliled the sone, masked to g.ive a later indcation as to how well the stone had worn over time. Each level was also hewen by different styles.

The primary masons involved in the work left their respective marks on the pillars.

The principal architect, James Gowans, was also responsible for the construction of the model Tenement on the site of the Exhibition, and a book was written of his project. he also laid a half mile of railway track across the site on which ran a small train, the power being from a 5hp engine which drove a dynamo to run an electric engine to show the potential of the electric engine.