19 July 2025 – Saturday – Exploring West Highlands

We began the day with a request to use of leftovers in the refrigerator. Kathleen and I put together a tasty frittata made from 10 eggs, 2 shredded chicken breasts and spicy pasta from our first night’s dinner. We topped it with grated pecorino. It was very well received. 

Our next activity was to hike up to the monument that is just visible from the marina. Kathleen plotted our path on Google maps. We opened and closed a gate marked COWS then walked across a dirt path littered with cow patties and rabbit droppings. There were several highland cows in the field. They were not in the least interested in us. The climb to the monument included some loose gravel which made it a bit slippery but there were plants to grab along the way for support. 

The view from the monument was quite scenic. We could see boats enter and leave the harbor. We saw the Ladies Rock lighthouse and beyond it is the isle of Mull. 

We decided to take a different route back down. We were eventually bushwhacking through very tall sturdy fens. Dale and I were a bit slower than the rest because we were taking photos and admiring the view. We lost sight of Kathleen and Doug. Dale was able to call Doug to be told to turn back because the path was very slippery and dangerous. As we began to climb up, we were able to just discreet hats in the tall ferns below. Our rerun down the original path was easy. 

We got back to the marina to join a group of Brits watching a rugby match. We chose to sit outside on a terrace with beer and pizza. The rest of the afternoon was relaxing. We had an invitation for cocktails with our  “buddy boat” who are Scottish.  We enjoyed champagne, smoked salmon and mushroom pate on crackers. Then we all went to the opening party for the cruise. It’s great fun to see many people we all know from lots of different regions. 
Dinner was a nice buffet. Each table was assigned to various word games and making a collage with post it notes and marker pens. We had fun but didn’t win the 3 fancy bottles of rum prize. 
The sun finally began to set lighting up the harbor of Oban across from us. We walked back to our boats in semi twilight since it doesn’t really get dark here in summer. 
Tomorrow we sail or motor to Tobermory. Prediction is for no wind but also no rain. 
We have an early start. The cruise begins!