The Ham Nomads

23 Jul 2014. <GB-SCT> Lochcarron, Wester Ross; The Small Isles (Armadale, Mallaiug, Rum, Canna)

Today Kay and Wang took us island hopping in the Small Isles. An early start, to catch the ferry at Armadale (where we were yesterday). We needed to be there by about 8.30 to catch the Skye Ferry to Mallaig.

Armadale to Mallaig: 8.50-9.20am

Susie and Kay
 

Mallaig Harbour Figures

We just sat on deck or moved about looking at the views. A beautiful calm day — Susie had no problems with motion sickness! At Mallaig we had a little time to walk around to the shops and look around, but had to get back to catch the next ferry.

Mallaig to Rum: 10.15-11.35am

Rum Castle

This run was characterised by the constant noise of car alarms going off on the car deck! Some people just can't figure how to disable a car alarm for a ferry crossing! Another relaxing run, just chatting and watching the scenery pass by. Only the passengers for Rum disembarked, and we remained on board for Canna.

Rum to Canna: 11.50am-12.45pm

Another longish leg. As we rounded the north of Rum, we saw a wrecked ship — apparently a French trawler which came to grief about two years ago. Obviously well built, as it hasn't even started to break up!

At Canna we had a couple of hours to wander around, have lunch, whatever. We walked through the village and found a spot at the local post office to have a picnic lunch. The post-office is indistinguishable from a garden shed, except for a post box outside, and a satellite antenna behind it which serves the telephone booth a few feet away. Wang informs us that the telephone number here — at least, when he first visited the island — was Canna 1. We were possibly ill advised in our choice of lunch spot, as we had just come off the ferry — and so had the mail. So the postmistress came along to deal with the mail, and we had to move from our seats on the Post Office steps!

The girls then went for a little walk a bit further on, and found an old church (still in use) and an island life museum in an old dairy. Wang went back a little to the cafe for a cup of coffee, and Warren went into the house of John Lorne Campbell, the gentleman who passed the Island of Canna into the hands of the National Trust.

He was an early sound recorder of Gaelic speech and song. The Girls in the meantime did a circuit of the garden of this house, which has been especially developed to attract bees, butterflies and moths.

We started back towards the ferry, on the way dropping in to an old stone church by the road.

Canna to Rum: 3.00-3.55pm

The trip back to Rum was a dozy time for the gentlemen, whereas the two girls spent most of the time at the railings in deep conversation.

Rum to Mallaig: 4.05-5.25pm
On this leg we were entertained part of the way by a couple of porpoises swimming in the Cuillin Sound — to far away and too elusive to get any photos, however.

Mallaig to Armadale: 6.00-6.30pm

Kay and Wang

This time we chose a shady spot on the front deck so we could watch the world go by in comfort! All in all, a most pleasant day, relaxing with friends!

Back at Armadale, and we drove back over roads we had been on a couple of times before, roads that were lined primarily by pines, spruces and larches. Susie was getting a lesson from Wang (at her request) as to how to identify each. After this extensive lesson, I can only say that any correct identification of these species on her part is still purely by chance!

Back home, and we settled in for another lovely dinner of venison cannelloni, washed down by a nice drop of red! And fro dessert, freshly-picked blackcurrants, yoghurt and icecream. Yum!

Settled down to watch a wee bit of the Glasgow Games opening ceremony before retiring for the night.

Distance driven — today, nil ; to date, 4,831 miles ( 7,774 km )