Puck's Glen & Argyll

I often look towards Argyll from Greenock, but I don't often enough take the ferry across to visit this beautiful county which lies a couple of miles away on the other side of the Clyde.

Argyll marks the start of the Highlands with magnificent hills, lochs and islands.

Our first stop was the scenic Puck's Glen, a short drive from Dunoon. The path crosses streams and goes over bridges as you make your way up the side of the hill past little waterfalls which could possibly look even better during rainier seasons.

After leaving Puck's Glen we headed north past Strachur and eventually found ourselves at Old Castle Lachlan on the east shore of Loch Fyne.

Before returning for our ferry home we headed towards Tighnabruaich . By this time the weather had started to deteriorate, however we managed some photographs before heading back to Dunoon.

Tighnabruaich Pier

Tighnabruaich RNLI station

Casual sightseer ignoring the rain

Two figures relaxing on deckchairs

As we reached the top of Loch Riddon we stopped at a viewpoint to look out towards the Kyles of Bute, On a bright clear day this must surely be a spectacular view, but by the time we passed the light was poor and the visibility was greatly reduced.

Argyll and the Crinan Canal

Whenever I think of the Crinan Canal I immediately think of the exploits of Para Handy and the Vital Spark. Seeing the canal in real life brought me just as much joy as watching the TV episodes of the wee puffer sailing around the West of Scotland.

Argyll is a beautiful county and is steeped in history. My trip started at Ardrishaig and followed the canal and through part of Kilmartin Glen.

More pictures can be found on my gallery

The Crinan Canal at Ardrishaig on Loch Fyne

The canal has several locks along its length....

....and provides a shortcut for for sailors heading for the Western Isles.

The last lock before exiting the canal at Crinan

Standing stones at Nether Largie in Kilmartin Glen

Sun glinting in Kilmartin Burn which passes near the stones

Kilmartin Parish Church is home to many sculptured graveslabs

Sunset over Crinan Hotel

Argyll Flyer

I took a run down to Gourock for a change of scenery. Argyll Flyer presented an opportunity for a couple of pictures as she crossed the Clyde.

The Argyll hills aren't yet ready to shrug off their covering of winter snow but the nights are starting to lengthen and we are now past the spring equinox.

Argyll & Rannoch Moor

Took a trip up north and ended up on the A82 in Rannoch Moor.

Winter is just around the corner with the streams and bogs begining to ice up.

Snow hasn't started lying yet, but I'm sure it won't be long till the landscape is transformed into a white wilderness.

Panoramic view over Loch Tulloch

A small stream runs through the moorland

Lochan na h-Achlaise

Loch Ba

Loch Ba

Inveraray

The county town of Argyll, Inveraray must have the highest whitewash bill in Scotland. The result is a lovely little town. Most of the buildings date back to the 19th century and give the place a very historic feel.

Main Street with its tourist shops

Inveraray parish church

Birthplace of Neil Munro author of the Para Handy stories

Looking towards the jail from Inveraray pier

Vital Spark, the puffer skippered by Para Handy