After our visit to Scotland two years ago, we knew we wanted to return. While we thoroughly enjoyed the places we visited, we wanted to see some new places on our next trip. At the same time, we definitely wanted to return to the Isle of Lewis and Harris. This past September, we made that return trip.
In planning our trip, I sought input from a friend who, at the time, was one of the founding partners in The Isle of Cumbrae Distillers. The original partners have sold to new owners who have carried on producing fine gin, and now, whisky.
As a side note, I can personally attest that their gin is excellent. The bottles have beautiful works of art infused into the glass. The bottles are so attractive that we have a couple that we’ve converted into lamps.
But I digress.
My friend’s suggestion was that we include the A-B-C Islands, as she called them, in our trip. In her view, the Islands of Arran, Bute and Cumbrae are each worth visiting. Each island is unique, but collectively they offer a good flavor of Scotland.
With those suggestions added to the Isle of Lewis and Harris, we had the start of an itinerary for our month-long trip to Scotland.
Without question, Scotland is a landscape photographer’s dream. Over the course of the next few posts, I will share some of the images I captured on this trip.
Our first destination was the Isle of Cumbrae, or more specifically, Great Cumbrae. Located at the mouth of the Firth of Clyde, it is a very short ferry trip from the mainland. Its proximity to Glasgow make it a very popular destination for day trips or weekend get-aways. At only about 4.5 square miles, walking or cycling the road that circumnavigates the island are very popular activities. The only town on the island, Millport, overlooks Millport Bay.
The town is easy to walk around and has a variety of shops, restaurants and pubs.
There is a road that takes you around the outside of the island. As previously mentioned, it is popular with cycists and hikers. There are several other roads that climb to the heights of the middle of the island. Any road you take will offer some spectacular views.
On my travels around the island, I came upon several patches of Scotland’s national flower: the thistle. Legend has it that it became the national flower due to the 13th Century Battle of Largs. Allegedly, Norse invaders left their ships under the cover of darkness, to ambush the sleeping Scottish clansmen. In order to be as silent in their approach as possible, they removed their shoes. While creeping across the land, one of the invaders stepped on a thistle. His yelp of pain aroused the Scots who successfully fought off the invaders. True or not, it makes a great story.
I’ll close with this night scene of Millport.
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Next up: Isle of Bute.
Wind At Your Back 
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