Sunset from Portencross

September has probably been the best month for weather here in Scotland with more dry and sunny days than we had during summer.

With the prospect of good weather all week I took a trip to Portencross in the hope of seeing a colourful sunset.

There was just enough light cloud in the sky to add colour and texture once the sun had gone down.

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

Stirling and Doune Castles

Historic Scotland membership is great value for money, but to make it even better why not visit 2 sites in one day?

First stop was Stirling Castle, a place I have been several times in the past.

Robert the Bruce statue outside Stirling Castle

Forework and circular towers

Colours of the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders in the regimental museum

One of the Stirling Heads which adorned the ceiling of the King's Inner Hall in the palace.

Stirling Castle commands a vantage point over the surrounding land

Eight miles to the north-west of Stirling lies Doune Castle, home of Robert of Albany, Regent of Scotland from 1388 till 1420.

The castle has taken on a new role in more recent times, recognisable to many as one of the location used in the making of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, along with other films and television dramas.

Doune Castle

Great Hall with central fire basket

The Lord's Hall, with timber panelling and minstrel's gallery above

Saltire flying from the top of the castle

View of the kitchen from inside the large fireplace

Courtyard and well

A82 Road Trip

Running from Glasgow to Inverness, the A82 is the main road linking the central belt to the western highlands of Scotland.

Within a relatively short period of time you can get access to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world.

We set out early in the morning with the intention of going to Glencoe, but had to stop several times to take in the sight before us.

A day is too short a timescale to take in so breathtaking vistas. The outcome being that a return trip is already being planned.

Mist covering the base of Beinn Dorain near Tyndrum

Bridge over the River Orchy

Inveroran

Loch Tulla

Black Rock Cottage with Buachaille Etive Mor in the background

Red deer grazing

Kingshouse Hotel

Loch Etive

Ben Starav overlooks Loch Etive

Red deer stag

Sunset over Glen Etive

Isle of Arran

The Isle of Arran is sometimes referred to as "Scotland in miniature".

A lot is crammed into this island from rugged mountains in the north to more gentle rolling hills in the south.

With Calmac reducing the ferry cost recently, a trip to the island was a temptation which I could not resist. The weather felt more like early autumn than the middle of November.

A return visit has already been decided on before the ferry prices go up for next year's summer season.

Calmac ferry Caledonian Isles entering Ardrossan Harbour

On our way to the beautiful Island of Arran

Bridge over Black Water

Warm autumn colours

View of Kilbrannan Sound and Kintyre peninsula

One of six stone circles on Machrie Moor

Only 3 stones remain standing in this circle

Cloud decending on the jagged mountains on the north of the island

Flyboarding

Flyboarding was a word and a sport that I had not heard of until this afternoon.

It's a bit like a skateboard without wheels. A strong jet of water is fed from a boat or jet-ski through an umbilical and comes out of two nozzles on the bottom of the board.

It looks to be immense fun and experienced flyboarders can perform dives and somersaults in mid air.

Perhaps the best way to describe it is to look at the pictures of the two boys demonstrating their manoeuvres below.