Scotland Day 5 – Portnahaven, Loch Indaal and Finlaggan

Another decent day weather wise and we headed off to the end of the Rinns and Port Charlotte and Port Wemyss. Part of the plan was to see if we could get a fisherman to take us across to Orsay, but they were all already out at sea so we amused ourselves by wandering around the pretty little fishing village, watching the seals on the rocks.

Seals in PortnahavenOrsay from PortnahavenLighthouse on OrsaySeals on Islay

We then had another picnic on the shores of Loch Indaal before heading off towards port Askaig We stopped for a walk at Finlaggan where we explored the historic sites that was once home to the Lords of The Isles. It is a lovely spot with lots of history for those interested in it and of course amazing views of Islay and off to the Paps of Jura. There is also a virtual geocache here so we checked out the various information boards to get the answers we needed to log it as a find.
Finlaggan on IslaySwan at FinlagganMorgan at FinlagganThe Paps of JuraReeds at Finlaggan

After this we went into port Askaig and then drove back to Loch Indaal for yet another picnic (Morgan was quite taken with picnics by now!). I went out windsurfing but there wasn’t quite enough wind. We then went back to the holiday cottage and I went off for a walk up to the highest point on the Rinns, Benn Tart A’Mhuil. The route I had intended to take had a big sign on it saying ‘MOD leased property – no public access; so I skirted around that and took the most direct and therefore steepest route up. At the top I was rewarded by views of the whole of Islay, the Kintyre Peninsula, the tops of Arran, Ireland and Jura. I took the easy route back through the farm with the unwelcoming signs and made it through unscathed.

We had dinner in the cottage and then pat babysat whilst Anna and I went out for a quick drink in the Lochindaal Hotel… It makes a change to sepend some time together alone, although we did talk mainly about Morgan!

The Rinns of IslayView from the Rinns across Islay and on to the Paps of JuraViews from the Rins of Islay

1 Response

  1. Avatar forComment Author Armin says:

    Thanks for the pictures from Benn Tart A’Mhuil, that’s one of the Islay Marilyns I still have to walk up. The views look impressive, guess I’ll have to move that up the list for my return in June.

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Alan Cole

Alan is a Freelance Website Designer, Sports & Exercise Science Lab Technician and full time Dad & husband with far too many hobbies: Triathlete, Swimming, Cycling, Running, MTBing, Surfing, Windsurfing, SUPing, Gardening, Photography.... The list goes on.