Well it seems that our travel plans are still in turmoil hoping to reach the Islay Whisky Festival.    The ferry we had planned to catch from Kennacraig to Port Ellen has magically transformed under CalMac supervision to the Kennacraig to Askaig ferry.    Doesn’t mean a lot to us but really means we’re now coming in the north of the island instead of on the west.

It’s a lovely run up the sheltered entrance between Jura and Islay and the crossing was as calm as anything.

So we had a short run from the ferry terminal to Keills, where we had originally planned to do a U-turn and head back up towards Bunnabhain but having spied an ancient cemetery we headed there instead.     It seems the Germans don’t do long term cemeteries so seeing gravestones that are hundreds of years old is quite a novelty.  Anyway I digress.

Just down the road from there we come across Finlaggan which is home to the Lord of the Isles, which I must admit sounds like a cheap remake of Peter Jacksons adventures with Gandalf.     The McDonalds (anyone called Mac, Mc or Donald) originate from here.   We did look for the Golden Arches and thankfully, none were to be seen.

After this, (for future reference go there in the morning and you don’t need to go into the visitors – just follow the path to the right) we headed down towards Bowmore, which really is a lovely little town.  Dominated by the distillery of the same name it’s full of whitewashed houses and buildings.  Really lovely and while we were at it – we grab a quick bite to eat downtown.

A run down the southerly tip in the afternoon towards Portnahaven sees us sitting on rocks watching grey and common seals doze and play about in the small harbour there.   Great fun and one we’ll have to revisit (maybe tomorrow whilst myself and Al are scoping out eatery places for the arrival of the others.

We’ve checked in at our temporary lodgings (a couple of doors away from Bruichladdich) which look like it’s expecting a visit from the Queen as the paint brushes are out. We dined this evening at the Port Charlotte Hotel (advisable to make a booking even if you want to eat in the bar).   The Lagavulin scallops I had were lovely, and the mains of Islay steak (for me) and Langoustines (for Al) were lovely.   They were so good, Al had to wash them down with a slice of sticky toffee pudding. We retired to the B&B where we start our official, unofficial, official start to the Feis Ile – we crack out the whisky.      It’s a lovely evening and we sit on the rocks outside the B&B whilst sampling both a very nice Ardbeg Uigeadail  and writing this blog.   Some of us find it a little bit cooler than others, no guessing who’s feeling the cold.