Trip 10 - The cliffs beside Calgary Bay

Where were we? Cliffs beside Calgary Bay on Mull
Intended destination: Cliffs beside Calgary Bay on Mull
Date: May 2014
Driver: Andy Cowan's Volvo

When the winter comes in we decide where and when we are going camping the next year. It just gives us a wee bit of hope through the bleak Scottish winter. Andy Cowan had started it the year we went to Loch Arkaig by insisting it wasn't long until we went camping (It was 6 months!). So this year Andy T and myself decided that we should go to Mull. We knew Andy C would get on board with this as his entire family tree seem to come from Mull.

It had been decided that we would go on the May bank holiday. It had also been decided after the previous years efforts that March was too early.  We headed up on the Wednesday. We passed Arrochar to discover the rest and be thankful was shut mid way up. We had to turn and go by Crianlarich. It looked like we were still on time for the 6 o'clock ferry as we came down the hill toward Oban until we discovered another road was closed. The policeman said we had to go back via Inverary. The drive would be another hour and we would certainly miss the ferry. But, with the help of a slight Google Maps signal we navigated along the tightest of farm roads that all the locals seemed to be using and made the ferry by the skin of our teeth. We arrived and parked beside the wild camping site at Calgary Bay. We intended to camp to the right of Calgary bay as you look at it along the cliff tops by the ancient ruins. Andy C had pointed this spot out on Google maps. For the first time ever we camped exactly where we intended.

As we got out of the car we put our backpacks on. I had text both Andies the night before, as for the first time ever I had one bag. One really, really heavy bag. It was a glorious day and seals were swimming in the bay. We headed up onto the top of the cliffs. Actually we laboured up due to our heavy heavy bags. After about a mile or so we saw the spot that we had previously seen on Google Maps.

We put our stuff down and set up the tent. We had bought a new tent for the trip and it was a beauty. It had a huge 5 man bedroom and a large room at the front that you could stand in. Andy C also set up a small fire although wood was a problem due to the lack of trees. We got some drift wood from the beach and played frisbee and achieved a maximum score of 74. The sunset over Coll was spectacular and the views to the southwest over the Treshnish Isles was equally incredible.

Thanks to the visitmull website I'd printed off a dossier of walks and things to do around Mull. When we got up the next day we decided to walk to Quinnish point. On the way back to the car to drive to the start of the walk we stood at the end of a pier for ages threatening to jump in. We bottled it and went for a swim at the beach instead. I felt so amazing after that dip that I swore my senses and awareness of what was going on had increased by immeasurable amounts.

We enjoyed a pub lunch and then walked to Quinnish point. It had been a great first day.

Excitement on the car trip

Ferry to Mull

Getting ready to pitch

Tent pitched

The incredible sunset on the first night

Frisbee

Standing stones on way to Quinnish Point

View from Quinnish Point

When we arrived back at the tent the cows and bulls were close to us. Andy T was a bit edgy but myself and Andy C were calm. However, as they all came over to within 3 or 4 metres of us and one was a ginormous bull it was time for us all to start bricking it. Rattling pans, shouting and running at them didn't do the trick. Eventually after a lengthy stand off they left except for the big grey bull that just continued to stare at us. Eventually he left. When we had originally arrived we saw the farmer and he said "watch the cows don't get you". We thought he was joking. Anyway, the bull eventually left and calmness was restored.

We didn't have a fire as usual that night. We sat in the massive new tent and played cards until 4am. It was a great night.

In the morning I recalled that during the night Andy T was trying to use my arm as a pillow. I was in my Selk Bag (A sleeping bag with arms and legs in it) and my arm was comfy but I was uncomfortable with this and shook him off.

We had awoken at 11 and enjoyed an excellent breakfast. We popped down to the facilities for a highland clearance and went to a cafe. As I lay in the boot with the seats down in the back Andy C decided to drive back. It gave me a new perspective on the drive. When we arrived back we enjoyed a long walk along the cliffs. We then ate and played cards again eventually going out to play frisbee. It was near impossible as the wind was blowing a gale. At one point in the tent the whole thing seemed to buckle over to the side. We sat up late again enjoying the space.

Probably the most scenic spot we have stayed at

The tent was amazing

The walk to the car. Note that Andy is carrying his rubbish back

In the back of the car

On the last full day we went to Tobermory. When we arrived we thought it would be good to go to the museum and the distillery but first of all we went to the pub where we played pool and darts and drank and ate. When we came out, slightly  the worse for wear, we realised the distillery and the museum was shut. Never mind. We'd had a great time.

It was another excellent trip and somewhere I'd love to go back to.

Couldn't resist the crab claws

Trip 9 - Ardenstur

Where were we? Ardenstur (near Kilmelford)
Intended destination: Ardenstur (near Kilmelford)
Date: August 2013
Driver: Ewan in his Focus (The Black Panther)

In recent times we have only managed one trip per year. The original plan of going all round Scotland was becoming too time consuming as it needs 5 hours of driving to get places. When you add supermarket, fuel and general stops to that we use up a large chunk of the day.

In early March of 2013 we had taken on, and defeated, Loch Arkaig near Spean Bridge in wintery conditions that plummeted to minus 5. It had been a great adventure. The summer was nearing its end and we were still fueled with enthusiasm and desire for camping so we decided we could fit in another weekend trip. No holidays would need to be taken from work and it was only a maximum of a three hour drive away. As usualAndy Cowan had done the research and the spot he had picked looked great. It was just off a quiet country road that led to nowhere in particular and was right on the shore. We had never camped beside the sea and it would be a nice change.

It was Friday lunchtime. Both Andies were on nightshift on the Thursday and would go home for a sleep whilst I went in to work to do a half day. After his night shift Andy Tait had driven me to work to save time later. It was planned that he'd pick me up at 12. Andy Tait slept in and I hung about for at least an hour before he and Andy C arrived to pick me up. They were in my car and I got in to drive. On their way to collect me Andy C had enjoyed his first can of beer. As I got in the car to drive the back door opened and Andy C leaned out and spewed in the car park of my work. I work in Johnstone High School!

Spirits remained extremely high as we stopped at the supermarket in Dumbarton for fuel and food. Andy C smashed a bottle of red wine on the way out the shop. They kindly gave us a new one. Then when we got back to the car we realised we still had the security tags on the Jaeger. Good to know the alarms work well. We would figure out how to get that off later.It hadn't been a textbook start but looking back we didn't even look on the downside and just laughed it all off. The mood was great. 

I knew the road until the last bit. However, the last bit was so tight and windy that I had to go into first twice to get up a hill. I don't think that has ever happened before. I should also have mentioned that my car was feeling old. It had done 148 thousand miles and recently completed 2500 miles round France. An alarming noise was coming from the front left wheel and Andy C genuinely feared that a wheel was going to come off. I'm pretty sure I just called him a pussy and carried on.

We parked the car in a way that we reckoned wouldn't bother anyone and set about looking for a spot to get down to the shore. It looked like it was just a case of jumping a fence and finding a way  through a forest. We were very, very wrong about that. 

The excitement begins. We just had to get through those trees

I put a lot of pics on there but I figured it saved me describing it. Basically I've never encountered the like!!

When we reached the shore we flattened the bracken and put the tent up and Andy C set up the fire on the shore. The weather was overcast but fine. We threw stones in and explored a little before making some food and heading to bed. We had actually thought all that bracken was grass but Google maps can be deceiving. 

Lovely spot with the top of the tent peeking through at the back

Jaeger with security tag

The following day we had, as far as I'm concerned, one of the most enjoyable wild camping days of the lot. After heading along the shore over steep cliffs we got on to the road and walked along until we saw a timeshare village. We went to the pub and enjoyed some food and a couple of pints. We then spoke to a lovely woman who let us play on the tennis courts for free. After I schooled both Andies we headed on to Kilmelford and stopped at the Cuilfail Hotel. Like many rural pubs it was warm and friendly. We sat for hours playing dumble, dominoes and watching the football results coming in. We also enjoyed more food that included deserts and cheeseboards. A great time was had by all.

The Shower of Herring Pub

Andy Cowan is nearly invisible there

The Cuilfail Hotel

We had walked around five miles to get there and saw that there was another route home through the country that was signed the Kilmelford pass. We reckoned that we had enough light and headed to the fields.We got totally lost and Andy C goosed his dodgy knee. After scrambling down hills and going completely the wrong way we found our way to the car. By this time it was pitch black and we still had the 6 foot bracken to get through. So we got some more food supplies and headed down the hill. Although it was dark our theory was just keep going down the hill and we'll get to the shore.

The Kilmelford Pass or somewhere within a mile or two of it

Back at the car before we took on the bracken

It started raining when we got back and we headed into the tent. I got back up to throw up my cheeseboard and returned to sleep like a log. 

After tidying up on the last day we had figured an easier walk home. It was still really tough with all the kit on our backs. The bracken would've been impossible though. 

We drove home after one last stop at The Cuilfail Hotel. My new favourite pub. It was a great trip and one that I recall as one of the best of all.