L2L Day 82 Oban to Castlebay, Barra

After the squally and rainy conditions over the last few days, this morning was bright and calm - a welcome change.


We sat out and enjoyed a coffee overlooking the harbour in warm sunshine.




Yachts had come and gone from the marina in the early morning calm.


The ferry terminal was busy with passengers waiting for boats departing for Tiree, Mull and Barra. We waited in the departure lounge as over 60 cars and vans were loaded onto the Eilean Leodhais - Isle of Lewis.

A perfect day - in glorious sunshine at a flat calm sea we left Oban and through the Sound of Mull.









As we passed through the western end of the Sound, Tobermory was ridiculously dwarfed by the Queen Anne cruise liner.



We passed Coll and Tiree into the exciting sounding Sea of the Hebrides where there was still a sea swell from the windy conditions over the last few days.

We sat out on deck in the bright sunshine before lunch looking out over the sparkling sea.



The crossing took almost 5 hours, 3 of which were in open sea but Barra soon come into view on the horizon.


Castlebay is a protected harbour from almost every direction though to the South and West the land is relatively low lying so I could imagine it getting pretty windy. 


The surrounding buildings are scattered around the harbour and most are single or at most squat two storey.









The place is very appropriately named with a 15th century castle in the middle of the bay. 


Herbie had suggested we had dinner at the Castlebay Hotel so though we weren't t staying there we'd made sure to book a table. We had a delicious supper and were looked after by the excellent Niamh Blane and Charlie Beaton.


Niamh studied drama at Glasgow, will be appearing this Summer at The Edinburgh Fringe and as well as being a Gallic speaker is looking for wider acting roles.
Charlie meanwhile is awaiting the results of his Highers and is planning to study medicine at St. Andrews. With young people like Niamh and Charlie in control of their professions we shouldn't worry about the future.

Having eaten in quite a few pubs, hotels and restaurants over the last few months, we agree with Herbie that the Castlebay is one of the best going. 

Warmed with a parting dram of Barra malt we walked back to our accommodation at The Craigard Hotel at 23:00 with more than enough light to do a crossword!!



All looking good for the Hebridean Way!

Comments

  1. Jill and Neil15 June 2026 at 01:02

    👍👍👍

    ReplyDelete
  2. Barrie15 June 2026 at 15:25

    And of course the filming of the 1949 Whisky Galore! Maybe a few bottles of the original 250 000 from the shipwreck off Eriskay still around? Enjoy na Eileen Siar....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David's 2022 Walk18 June 2026 at 15:13

      Hi Barrie. We certainly are! Despite the occasional meteorological challenges!!!

      Delete

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