Back to Tobermory and onto Duart Castle

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Another drive along the Sound of Mull to Tobermory today, but a slower pace with time to explore.


The locals decided that this would be a leisurely drive! That one in the front is coming straight for us Rosey!


This time we have a better day and the colours of the house stand out better. Lunch and a good stroll around was the order of the day.



These old vessels on the Sound of Mull looked great against the dark sky.


The village next to where were staying was called Inverlussa. So next morning we thought to take a stroll down the road and explore as we had a trip to Duart Castle planned for the afternoon.


Keeping an eye on the hedgerow as we walked, we spotted these Common Spotted Orchid, Dactylorhiza fuchsia


Then we found a grasshopper - not sure of the variety.


... and then my favourite of the morning, a Fritillary butterfly


Quickly followed by a Cinnabar moth.


Then we came across a monument to Dugald MacPhail (1818-1887) He was a Gaelic songwriter, poet and author. Born at Strathcoil on Mull in the Inner Hebrides, MacPhail worked as a joiner and architect. He moved to Glasgow with his young wife, and then to Newcastle (England) where he wrote the song An t-Eilean Muileach (The Isle of Mull), for which he is best remembered. This is now known as 'Mull's National Anthem'. He was appointed architect and clerk of works to the Duke of Westminster, which brought a move to Shaftesbury, where several of his family were born. He then moved to Edinburgh, being attracted because of the educational advantages that city brought to his family. 


In the afternoon we drove a short way to see some Highland dancers perform at Duart Castle. This was a matter of a few minutes drive from our holiday cottage.
Duart Castle proudly guards the sea cliffs of the Isle of Mull, while enjoying one of the most spectacular and unique positions on the West Coast of Scotland. Brought back from ruin in 1911, the Castle treasures 800 years of history of one of Scotland’s oldest Clans, The Macleans, and is one of the last surviving privately owned Clan Castles in Scotland.


It was very enjoyable to see real Scottish dancers, and in the great surroundings.



So, at the end of the day, what sort of sky do we have from the kitchen window?
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