Friday 26th May 2017

And like all things, it has to come to an end. Looking at Google it suggested a 12 hour drive back to Dover, and it was decided that upon reflection we should have an overnight stop. So on Wednesday I booked two rooms at the Premier Inn in Kilmarnock from Friday, near to the airport to drop Tony off as he goes on two further weeks of exploring the highlands, and we go home to the cats and garden and then I can travel on Tuesday to sunny Denmark.

We had a lie in until seven, then were all balls of energy, packing, tidying, and taking the rubbish out, having showers and so by nine we were ready to go. One last check around the house revealed nothing left behind, so we locked up, put the keys in the safe, and after loading the car we drove out the gates for the last time.

Our first stop this day was Kylerhea, another place Tony’s Grandmother visited in the mid-60s, and he has slides of locations that over the years he has identified. It is also the location of a small ferry leading to the mainland, and is only accessible on either side y long and winding single track roads.

We turn off the main road to the Kyle and take off down a bumpy track, following in the wheeltracks of a 4x4 ahead, but once we reach the summit of the road, and have breathraking veiws into the sound below, we stop to admire it and take shots. As you do.

Soon, we spy a lady, Jos, riding up the hill on her bike, her exercise before she can have breakfast. She stops when she reaches us, talks and speaks bike geek with Tony.

We go down the hill, nearly 1:5 in places, but don’t see the house in the photo, and with the road so narrow, there was nowhere to turn round, so we continue to the stone jetty and wait for the tiny ferry to arrive. It was large enough for six cars, and access from the jetty was by a turntable arrangement.

It seemed slightly Heath-Robinson and dangerous, but for 15 quid, why not? Two common seals splashed around a few metres away as we waited, Jools and I looked at the bottom of the sound through about 2 metres of crystal clear water.

The ferry arrives and offloads the six cars from the other side, and we all gingery drive on the deck, the crew rotating it round ready for sailing. THe passenger door was jammed against the railing, so I could not get out, and for 5 minutes, not really worth it. I tell myself.

On the other side we get off, and Tony takes many shots as it loads up again and sails. The owners have a small shop selling snacks and cans, and payment is via an honesty box. He is amazed, but then this is a simpler place

There is then a ten mile drive up a narrow lane that steadily climbs the valley, and then down a steeper on the other side, at which point we get stuck behind a logging truck, which has the bonus of scattering other traffic out of the way.

Onto the main road, and the long way round to Fort William, down impressive and sun-drenched valleys, sometimes able to travel at the speed limit and other times at 30mph when stuck behind a motorhome.

Time clicked towards noon and thoughts turn to lunch. I see a sign and turn off thinking there was a hotel down a narrow lane. We go down it with the road leaping around like a rollercoaster, but with no other traffic about I put the Audi through its paces.

We cross the Caledonian Canal, and realise we are nearly in Fort William, so at the side of Neptune’s Staircase, a series of eight locks, we find a hotel with views onto the locks, and did food and drink.

We have sandwiches and coffee, which is all very nice, then look for a place to fill up before taking the long road south, stuck behind both a Tesco lorry and a motorhome. We putt along at 30mph for what seems like ages, then thanks to the many horses under the bonnet I get past both on exiting a roundabout and using all available horses.

But we run into the back of a lone of traffic going up Glencoe, and so we put along between 30 and 40 for ages before we can get past the camper van and truck causing the delays.

And then we come to Loch Lomond, where the road snakes around the shores of the loch, and we are in a train of cars behind a coach which has to stop whenever a truck wanted to pass.

But we get through, onto a better road, then at Dumbarton onto a dual carriageway, then over the bridge and onto the motorway, following the Clyde out to sea as I had a date with a station to snap.

Wemyss Bay is not well known, but is where the ferry to Bute leave from, and the once grand station at the harbour was renovated 20 years ago, and is still in good nick. It is incredible really, and using the wide angle I get the shots I wanted.

We walk on the beach a bit, between the rubbish and dirt nappies,we think we might want fish and chips for dinner, but looking for a place to sit down in. So we drive south, finding the road skirting the river and then along the coast, giving stunning views in the late afternoon sunshine to the islands a few miles out. We pass through towns with ports offering passage to the islands, you could go to Bute, Arran and other islands.

The oddly names town of Largs seems that it will have a fish and chip restaurant, but with the sun having come out and the start of the school holidays, the town was full, and a mini Blackpool with amusement arcades, putting greens and full car parks. THe one restaurant we pass is full to the gunnels, so we drive on.

We end up in Ardrossan, another port and stone built town, this one looking initially as unwelcoming as a few further up the coast. We follow the main road in, then I take the road to the port, and what looked unpromising, turned into a fabulous looking marina, and in a converted port building we spotted an Italian restaurant. We park outside, and although it looks full, they open up an upper floor for us, which seemed generous, only in half an hour all other tables are taken and another floor above is now being opened.

We have a fine meal, along with drinks, and the service is great too.

We program the postcode for the hotel in the sat nav, and it takes us through industrial areas before turning north and along dual carriageways to Kilmarnock, and beside a busy roundabout sits our home for the night. Its not bad, and for £50 each we have rooms, a good bed and full breakfast in the morning, but the rooms are hot, not enough ventilation after another very warm Scottish day, and on the bed a winter duvet of 550 tog thickness.

We are pooped; six hours of driving and a couple more of photography, and we want to get to the Premier Inn, in Kilmarnock. Which is where we