When we arrived in Oban on day 5 of our tour, we met a new guide and group to continue our exploration of the Scottish highlands. A highlight of Oban is the most photographed structure in the west, McCaig’s folly. The folly built on instruction by a local banker in 1897, resembles the coliseum in Rome, and provides magnificent vistas over the distant Firth of Lorne. We stayed in this glorious highland town for 2 nights and explored the islands off the mainland.We made an early start crossing on the ferry to Mull and drove across the island to catch a smaller boat that took us to the amazing National Nature Preserve of Staffa. This is an uninhabited island with amazing basalt columns and caves that inspired the composer Mendelssohn in his Hebrides Overture. While the path to Fingal's cave was too unsafe for both of us to traverse, Marla did climb to the top of the island to enjoy the view. We then took the ferry to the peace and tranquility of Iona - birthplace of Celtic Christianity and ancient burial ground of Scottish Kings. Here we visited the historic abbey with its intricate carved crosses in the churchyard and walked through the ruined nunnery. We then returned on the ferry to Oban for our second night. We're staying in a pretty little B&B, very comfortable if a bit small by US standards.

The next day we drove north along the west coast around Appin, passing the impregnable Castle Stalker, and Glencoe, scene of the infamous massacre of the Clan Macdonald in 1692 . We both agreed that the valley of Glencoe is the most beautiful valley we've ever seen. It's a small valley completely surrounded by the most imposing and beautiful green mountains with silvery waterfalls, a beautiful little stream and lock and dotted with purple heather and yellow and white wildflowers. Absolutely idyllic. We then passed through Fort William (just a typical small Scottish village/town) nestling in the shadow of Ben Nevis which at 1344 meters is the highest mountain in the British Isles. We continued through the Great Glen a natural fault in the earth’s crust that runs through Scotland and on through Ireland. From here we traveled north to the picturesque fishing village of Plockton. We were then dropped off at our accommodation (another small B&B) in the early evening.

Today, we spent the entire day on the island of Skye. No ferries were needed as we drove across a high bridge to the island. We drove down to Elgol for seascapes and views of the Cuillin, and Talisker and its beautiful bay. We also visited the Fairy Glen with its 350 small hills and beautiful loch. We returned to our accommodation in Plockton in the early evening and spent the evening in the room relaxing. Tomorrow, we are visiting another castle and meeting another tour guide and group to continue our tour, heading east to the other side of the highlands. Enjoy the pics!