Under construction (improvements) but still
working - 2nd May 2008
Glasgow is a good focal point to
find on a map. If driving, the M8 motorway goes
right through Glasgow. If flying, there is
Glasgow Airport and a car can be hired from
there. If, like Joan Webster, you are going by
train Glasgow's glass-roofed Buchanan Street but
is now called Queen Street Station. There is a
direct line to Oban railway station where it
terminates at the ferry port. Check with Scot
Rail but this is a typical train time table
>>>>
It is probably a good idea to
visit Corryvreckanfirst as its on the way. There
are a operators running boats trips out from
Crinan to Corryvreckan. Try to pick a mid spring
tide in the winter. Alas my trip was not
eventfull anda wave of almost
6" with the tide at full flood frightened no
one.
From Crinan it is roughly an
hour drive up to Oban and the (Caly-Mac) ferry to
the Isle of Mull. Book well in advance and get
there early as I have been left on the quay for
being 30 minutes late for the check-in. We were
even lucky to get on the next one.
It takes roughly 40 minutes to
cross over to mull, which is just enough time for
a surprisingly good full Scottish Breakfast on
board the ferry. On the right (starboard) side
there is a Green Island...and further on a small
Lighthouse.
On the port (left) side do not
miss the chance to see Duart Castle as the
prominent headland feature. Duart Castle is most
impressive and has been used in other films since
IKWIG: Alistair MacLeans When Eight
Bells Toll and more recently
Entrapment with Sean Connery and
Catherine Zeta-Jones. Duart Castle is the home to
the Clan Maclean.
DO NOT CROSS
OVER TO MULL WITHOUT FILLING UP FUEL TANK AT
TESCO'S
Fuel is at least
20~25p per litre (£1.12/$ 2.25 per gallon) more
expensive on Mull than mainland Scotland/UK. On
the mainland Petrol was 89~90p per litre (£4.20
or $8.40 per gallon ) on mull it was £1.13 per
litre (£5.10 or $10 a gallon). Now with diesel
between £1.20~£1.30 per litre (£5.40 / $10.80
per gallon) expect £1.45~£1.55 per liter
(£6.53 / $13 per gallon). Also just because you
see a petrol station dont presume it will
open; or if it does that it will actually have
any fuel! I pulled into the main shop/petrol
station at Craignure and asked for petrol; the
atendant said he did not have any petrol until
tomorrow... but I could have some
diesel........thanks! Take at least one extra
gallon petrol/diesel in a can. Distances are
deceiving and slow twisting roads will
drastically reduce mpg.
The ferry will land you at
Craignure. If you are staying at the Western
Isles Hotel turn right and drive the 22 mile to
Tobermory.
Torosay Castle is only 1 mile
passed Craignure on your left. There are three
options to getting to : Torosay is very
interesting for a number of reasons best
discovered your selves. There is a very pleasant
Tea Room and gardens plus a fine view of the next
destination:
A very pleasant mile and half walk from
the gatehouse at Craignure through
Fennellas Woods on the Torosay
Estate.
Drive 1.3 miles south on A849 and turn
left into the Torosay Estate
A narrow gauge railway from
Craignure known to UK parents of young children
as the Ballamory Express
Duart Castle is nearly 2 miles
from the main A849. Going south take the first
turning left and follow the signposts. There is a
lot to see at Duart so allow plenty of time. No
photography allowed inside the castle.
Leave Duart and turn left on the
main A849 and drive 4.5 miles south. There will
be a sign to the left for Lochbuie which is a
further 8 mile drive over very twisty bumpy roads
past stunning scenery. At the shore line there
will be a tall pyrimid like Cairn.
Turn left and drive a few
hundred yards pasted the front of a chapel and
there will be a sign on you right "park cars
here on grass". Stop and park here as there
is noparking further on. Walk over a little stone
bridge and right through a five bar gate . You
will soon see the majestic sight of Moy castle.
From Lochbuie is it a rigorous 5
mile coastal walk or a 25 mile drive to Carsaig
pier which will take you past the famous
telephone box.
Carsaig House (Erraig House) is
private and not open to the public. The present
owners have no interest in IKWIG.
Tenuous link this one as it is
not in IKWIG but Wendy Hiller stayed at the
Argyll Arms in Bunessan (pronounced quickley as
BUNN-IS-ON) while filming at Carsaig. Michael
Powell being heavily involved with Pamela Brown
satying at Carsaig House (Erraig) at the time.
Dont try and do all the above in
one day - have some fun and spread it out over a week or two.