The autumn light was fading as we drove along the west coast of Arran heading to the charming port of Lochranza and our ferry back to the mainland after a lovely day trip to the island. In the gloaming I could just about make out the unmistakable shape of the CalMac ferry awaiting us. Soon we would be back nestled in our holiday cottage at Tarbert, log burner on, hot chocolates in hand. But on second glance that welcome view of the ferry was troubling. The ship was at anchor out in the harbour, white breakers crashing against its side. And on the slipway we should have been driving down to catch it stood a solitary figure, dressed up against the weather and awaiting passengers.
“You’re cutting it a bit fine to get everyone on board, aren’t you?” inquired this rather agitated driver. “Ooooh, we’ll noooo be going back tonight,” came the response, “sea’s too rough to cross.”
I initially felt a mixture of shock, anger and disbelief. But then a sea change in my mind occurred and what at first had seemed irritating and alarming soon turned into an adventure, as we headed for a lovely hotel up the road, were treated royally and enjoyed an extra night’s stay on that beautiful island.
That experience of mine in 1988 pretty much set the tone for my trips to Scotland ever since, continually proving itself to me a place of magic, mystery, adventure and warm hospitality in equal measure. I’m back there next month for a whole week of exploring and I truly can’t wait. And in the meantime I’ll whet my appetite with a leaf through the fascinating collection of features from Scotland we have collated in this issue.
Until next time…and enjoy the magazine.
@coastmaged
@coastmaged
andy.cooper@kelsey.co.ukYou can email us at coast.ed@kelsey.co.uk. For existing subscription queries, please use the link https://help.kelsey.co.uk. For new subscription offers, go to https://shop.kelsey.co.u
