We left Oban and travelled south to Inveraray to see the castle there. Home of the Duke of Argyll, head of Clan Campbell, Inveraray Castle was recently featured in Downton Abbey when the Granthams went to visit family in Scotland. The castle stands on the shores of Loch Fyne and is surrounded by gardens and farming land. Inside it is wonderfully decorated - like a lavish family home - ornate but homely as well.
 
 
 
The central hall is three storeys high, and has a collection of 1500 guns on display. Not my idea of decorative style, but the rest of the place is certainly very attractive. The large windows have views of the colourful gardens outside, always a plus in my view. In the gardens the azaleas and rhododendrons were in full bloom, and bluebells flowered under the trees. 

Inveraray village has waterfront shops, boats by the shore, and a green park just right for a morning coffee. From here we travelled south again, through mountains and forests, and then alongside Loch Lomond. We crossed the bridge over the Clyde and turned to the west, and then south again so we could follow the coastline to Prestwick where we had rented a flat for three nights. Prestwick was the choice of stopover because it is close to Glasgow and because this very nice flat was available at a good price.
 

 
From here we spent a day in Ayr and Alloway where the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum and Memorial are the main attractions. The Museum is well designed with lots of interesting artefacts and details of his life and family. Between 1785 and 1796 (when he died) he became father to twelve children who were born to 4 women. Nine were to his wife (2 sets of twins, only 3 of her children survived). But his writings are very much a part of Scotland and still very alive today. A colourful if short life.

Here in Alloway is also the Aulde Kirk, the setting for Burn's poem Tam O'Shanter and the cottage that was his first home. One of the many monuments to Burns, the Burns Monument is here by the River Doon, as is the famous Brig O'Doon (bridge).

Another day we spent in Glasgow, a city with many red brick buildings, a university, a wonderful museum and art gallery and many more sights worth seeing. The galleries in these cities are so amazing - we love what we have at home but here there are such marvellous offerings and so many famous works it is a bit gob-smacking. A strangely likable city, where we had a very enjoyable day. 
 
 
 
Our time in Scotland is coming to an end. What a wonderful time we have had here. Tomorrow to Carlisle, where from we shall visit again the Lakes District in Cumbria.