Settling In - In Oban

I was watching a Rick Steve's video last November or December on the Scotland Islands. He talked about the Orkney's, Skye, and Mull. He took a ferry over to Mull from Oban. And of course he devoted some time describing Oban. It looked like such a quaint, small town, I said to myself "I think I'll explore there." Oban is an old fishing village right on Loch Oban. It's a perfect horseshoe protected on all 3 sides and the Isle of Mull.

So I did some research and decided after a month of traveling around Scotland, to settle in Oban for the month of October. I met a nice couple who owned it. It's a cozy one bedroom in a building of 9 units. The own the 3 on the first floor. Which is really the second. But the first in Scotland is the "ground" floor. The building is downtown in the middle of bustling Oban and is central to everything I need. Grocery, entertainment, petrol, etc. I told you last week that I've extended this through November.

The stream right in front of my flat & building in the evening.

This week I decided to take trips not too far from home. So I drove south on A816 where there are only small towns, mountains, and water. And what a lovely drive it was! I ended up (late start - still wary a bit of driving in the rainy dark) about 19 miles away in Arduaine (R-doo-an) on Aknish Bay.

Google maps will say 33 minutes but it took over an hour to drive the 19 miles with the traffic with twisty roads - plus the never too-far-away road construction or one lane road that is controlled by stop/go traffic lights on each end. I have learned that the maps are good for route and distance. Not necessarily travel time! But who's in a hurry anyway?

I ended up at the Melfort Hotel & Gardens. It was a very nice walk and I thought to stay and have a bite. But the kitchen was closed until supper and I didn't want to stay that late. So I chatted with a couple of folks and took pictures. What a nice day!

And on the way back, I could find a place to stop and snapped these of a small loch.

The next day was a little less bright, but I decided to head north and looked up castles close to Oban. Castle Inverary popped up and the FB page said it was open through October. Got into the little car and headed out. Another great drive around water and mountains. The reds on the hills have been magnificent and my little phone camera could never really do them justice. Plus, most times there is no place to stop. But I try...

So Inverary is home to Clan Campbell. And history shows that Clan Campbell have been ruthless (massacre at Glen Coe of the MacDonald Clan) and was the center of politics for a few hundred years. Ruled by the Duke of Argyll (anyone remember the movie Rob Roy?). I got there and found out the castle closed to the public on Sept 30th. So I'll put it on the list for next year. The town Inverary was constructed 300 years ago by the Duke when he wanted his clan closer to him. I had a lovely chat with an owner of an art gallery who shared a lot of history of the area. He was born and raised in the area. I have found more than a few Scots where that has been the case.

He also told me that the tourist season has been extended by locals taking trips - just like what we've seen in Alaska. He thought that maybe that might settle down in November after all the school holidays. Oban also has its fair amount of tourists. I read that the town blossoms to 25,000 during the height of the season. And I must admit, that I am finding that I want to move on to a community that is less "touristy."

I found Hotel George & its pub that was built in 1770 and had been run by the same family since 1860. It was lovely and I struck up a wonderful conversation with a couple (a cute dog had taken his humans out!) from Sterling on holiday. The food was fantastic and I loved being in this history....

I really enjoyed my walk-about.

The downtown area really had so much character to it. Inverary is on Loch Fyne and even the jail building was pretty fantastic. All the businesses seem to welcome dogs too - my kinda place! I shall return.

The loch was beautiful too. I recorded this video not because of anything too exciting, but just to hear to water lapping against the shore. It's always been a sweet sound to me.