Torosay Castle, Isle of Mull & Oban
Finally some Scottish weather – a real mixture of sunshine, drizzle and mist – but nothing nasty.
At Torosay Castle we were welcomed by the laird’s mum, Mrs. Jaquetta James. She personally (very special indeed) took us around this stately home from the 1850s and the lovely gardens. She tells family stories of her sister Pamela Digby, whose first marriage was to Winston Churchill’s son, and also of her late husband, a former Member of Parliament, explorer and escapee from a German POW camp. Not only the cozy castle, with its welcoming signs of ‘please take a seat’ was a treat, but so were the gardens. Scotland’s west coast is warmed by the Gulf Stream, so plants from all over the world and especially from warmer climates flourish. Particularly striking were the Himalayan Blue Poppies (meconopsis), candelabra primulas, and the lupins – all dotted about an informal pond area and the formal terraced gardens.
During lunch we sailed to the lovely port of Oban , population 8,500. Once we had fortified ourselves with lunch, we made our way to the local distillery (Oban Distillery), to join a guided tour and sample some of the produce. Excellent stuff!
After a stroll around town or a leisurely time on board, taking in the views over to the islands of Kerrera and Mull, we had a chance to join Euan, the piper, for a guided walk through town. Which finished off at McCaig’s tower, a folly from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, overlooking the bay and the boats below.
Finally dinner and a good rest, after all of the days activities.
Finally some Scottish weather – a real mixture of sunshine, drizzle and mist – but nothing nasty.
At Torosay Castle we were welcomed by the laird’s mum, Mrs. Jaquetta James. She personally (very special indeed) took us around this stately home from the 1850s and the lovely gardens. She tells family stories of her sister Pamela Digby, whose first marriage was to Winston Churchill’s son, and also of her late husband, a former Member of Parliament, explorer and escapee from a German POW camp. Not only the cozy castle, with its welcoming signs of ‘please take a seat’ was a treat, but so were the gardens. Scotland’s west coast is warmed by the Gulf Stream, so plants from all over the world and especially from warmer climates flourish. Particularly striking were the Himalayan Blue Poppies (meconopsis), candelabra primulas, and the lupins – all dotted about an informal pond area and the formal terraced gardens.
During lunch we sailed to the lovely port of Oban , population 8,500. Once we had fortified ourselves with lunch, we made our way to the local distillery (Oban Distillery), to join a guided tour and sample some of the produce. Excellent stuff!
After a stroll around town or a leisurely time on board, taking in the views over to the islands of Kerrera and Mull, we had a chance to join Euan, the piper, for a guided walk through town. Which finished off at McCaig’s tower, a folly from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, overlooking the bay and the boats below.
Finally dinner and a good rest, after all of the days activities.
