Crinan Canal & Duntrune (Malcolm) Castle

The trip up to Crinan took us up the east coast of Loch Lomond, stopping for lunch at Loch Fyne oysters (yum!!) and Inverary Castle (beautiful parklands & huffy sheep) and then on to Lochgilphead and finally Crinan itself, which is reached via a tiny road which we navigated at 10mph for the last 2 miles hoping not to be collected by any oncoming traffic. But it was well worth it. Agatha Christie steroptypes aside (we thought a murder or jewellery theft was going to take place overnight, based on the bizarre and improbable hotel guests at dinner), the hotel was very old school and afforded a near perfect view of Duntrune Castle from our window. This morning we drove upto the gates of the castle then wussed out...next time (maybe the old f^%£$er will be dead by then). We did get a photo of a stag just down the road though leaping through the forest, which was nice. We then checked out some ancient rock carvings and went to Fort Dunnan, a magical hill(ish) where apparently the first Scottish kings were crowned. Then on to Kilmartin House Museum which we heartily recommend (it's everything it needs to be and nothing more). Then on to Oban where we scrambled up to Dunollie Castle (the ruins of), great views and great....ruined bits. Then drove up & arrived here in Fort William an hour or so ago, accomodation is v.nice. More blogs soon so keep on checking back...
Pic: Duntrune (Malcolm) Castle on the shores of Loch Crinan (that's as close as we dared to go!)