Scottish Ferries

I’ve always loved the Scottish inter island ferries from looking longingly at the the David Macbrayne’s boats sailing by when I was a child on holiday in Scotland.

Today we waited for the ferry to the Isle of Bute at Wemyss Bay but it was the station that took all the plaudits! 
Chris remembered seeing it onTV ( Great Railway Journeys) and we were both very impressed by the real thing. Built in 1903, thousands of Glasgow holiday makers or day trippers used to travel by rail direct from the city to this station and ferry terminal. 
As you can see it is beautifully kept and even had a second hand book store in the former First Class waiting room. The volunteer lady inside, yes I did make a purchase, said it was even prettier when bedecked with hanging baskets in the summer and that she had met Mr Portillo and he was very charming! ( Thought the ‘Today’s Special’ in the station cafe was a classic!)

We drove to the southern point of the the island on arrival and walked to the ruins of the 12th century St Blane’s Chapel on the site of an earlier ( 6th C)  monastery. Very interesting and great views across the water to the mountains of Arran.  The monks and men of the parish were buried immediately below the chapel and the ladies of the parish on the level below!
On the way we passed a seal which looked quite odd as the rock it was sitting in was submerged in the water. Extra

After checking in, a four poster again and a sea view, we walked into town. Felt we had to visit the sign posted Victorian Toilets,  -  only the gents were in the original classic design perhaps the ladies weren’t required back then! -  discovered the Highland/ Lowland fault line in the middle of the winter gardens and had a cup of tea.

We’d seen other signs for a woodland walk that would take us back to our accommodation via a different route. It started by climbing the ‘Serpentine’. Like something out of San Francisco. This ascends Canada Hill* No signs of the hoped for ‘woodland walk path’ so we carried on to the top and then down the other side effectively taking us to the other side of the peninsula from the town. Great views, a bonus deer at the top and more magnificent stone built Edwardian Villas along the coast as we walked back so not all bad.
Not what we had intended so another 19,000 steps done!
Will need a rest tomorrow.

I did this before we went out to dinner but it mysteriously disappeared so sorry it’s another late post.. So annoying!


* For interesting information on Canada Hill see ‘Skyegirl’s comment