Scotland’s glorious west coast is the perfect setting for the Lyon family to say farewell to their beloved Eriba
Although Scotland might not have the temperate climate of other destinations, for us, it represents a haven of tranquility and peace, with a wealth of natural landscape providing ample opportunity for family adventures and the making of treasured memories.
Over the past couple of years, we had all rather fallen in love with this part of the world, which made it an appropriate destination for us to take our beloved little Eriba caravan on her final tour.
Promisingly, our departure from Essex was quite relaxed – with holiday haircuts complete, we were good and ready for a change of scenery and somewhat more invigorating temperatures than those we had experienced of late.
Crossing borders
The long drive to Penrith included food breaks and Lucy ‘dog stops’ aplenty ahead of reaching our £12 overnight stay at the working farm of Yanwath Woodhouse CL.
After a quick meal, followed by a brisk walk to admire some rather nonchalant Highland cattle, our holiday could begin in earnest – with the first of many highly competitive battles of Rummikub!
Remaining packed up made for a speedy departure the following day as we crunched more miles towards our next destination, the Victorian resort of Oban.
After an uneventful journey, we took the final twisty, three-mile, single-track coastal route to reach Oban Holiday Park, in Gallanachmore.
We had chosen the site primarily for its proximity to CalMac ferry crossings towards the Hebrides, and were intending a ‘recovery stay’ of two nights, before we were due to board the ferry in a couple of days’ time.
Later, we strolled into Oban, stocking up on food and essential fishing items for Ben before making a quick detour towards the magnificent entryway of McCaig’s Tower, on Battery Hill, with its huge granite amphitheatre dominating the hilltop.
The Road of Kings
With the help of National Cycle Route 78, Garmin and the komoot app (komoot.com), we planned a 30-mile bike ride next day, climbing 1300ft to Taynuilt, crossing tracks along Glen Lonan Road (aka the Road of Kings, the ancient funeral path by which Scottish monarchs were taken to their last resting place on Iona).
With splendid coastal roads winding through a scenic glen of rolling fields, low rocky hills, woods and abandoned farmhouses, this was a great introduction to some superb scenery. Even on a grey day, it was quite simply an epic first cycle ride of our holiday, with only numerous sheep providing any kind of delay along the way.
Mu
