It was with considerable anticipation that Phil and I viewed
Port Ellen as the ferry from Kintyre...
...approached the terminal on Islay's southern coast. Islay's characteristic whitewashed buildings with black painted windows crowded round the bays on either side of the jetty.
We then drove north to Islay's second terminal,
Port Askaig.
As we launched from the little harbour, the flood tide was already surging north through the Sound of Islay.
No sooner had we crossed the eddy line, than we were being propelled northwards, at a very respectable 15km/hour.
After we passed two big, white washed buildings called Caol Ila and Bunnahabhain (with pleasantly intoxicating aromas emanating from both) we were surrounded by wilderness. Only the pipping of oystercatchers and the gentle rippling of the tide disturbed the silence.
The magnificent Paps of Jura, towered over the far side of the Sound ...
...but at this speed, we soon left them behind.
Learn more about this fabulous island at
Islayblog.com and
Islay weblog
