Monday 13 May

As the ferry isn't until 3.30pm so into Oban to fill up with fuel, which should last the entire trip until we go home – there isn't all that many road miles in the Outer Hebrides!

Waiting for the ferry - Oban Bay

Visited the CalMac offices to collect our tickets to be told the sailing was on “amber alert”, possibility of delay or cancellation due to weather conditions, although it was currently on time. Hmm  Then a stroll around a very quiet Oban before a snack lunch then drive round to the ferry terminal.

An hour or so wait, watching the other ferries come and go before the “Clansman” arrived, disgorged its load and took us on. Then came the good news; the Captain announced that, once clear of the shelter of Coll, the ship would be “moving around a bit” and passengers were encouraged to eat before then and move around with caution thereafter! Not good news as Bren is not the best of travellers at sea but there was nothing we could do except grin and bear it.

And strangely enough we were both fine, even after a nice meal although the ship was indeed “moving around a bit”! We think settling down into comfortable recliners and trying to sleep – it was pointless trying to sightsee so, no photos, sorry!

Obviously the trip took somewhat longer than expected – 5 and half hours – so we were very late. However we had booked a campsite only 5 mins from the ferry terminal and as we arrived so did Donald, the owner, to greet us and a caravan outfit travelling on the same ferry. But it was a wild evening, the site being somewhat exposed to the weather, and Terry got soaked setting up.

It's a bit rough - the view from our pitch

Not the welcome to the Western Isles we were expecting!