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

The Kelpies

Scotland has a new tourist attraction. Standing at a height of 30 metres beside the M9 motorway are "The Kelpies", standing guard at the entrance to a new section of the Forth and Clyde Canal.

The artist Andy Scott based the sculptures on the heavy horses that would have once been commonplace throughout Scotland.

Each figure is made of steel and weighs over 300 tonnes.