September 7 - Day 20

Woke to fog and cool temps.  Heading out for Isle of Arran today on the west coast so hoping for the best.  Today is very special; Brenna and Zach celebrate their first anniversary. One year ago we were at Girdwood under sunny skies with bagpiper piping and beautiful flowers and special times.  We eat a quick breakfast, always generously prepared by Marion, not sure when she sleeps.  We grab our gear and travel to the coastal town of Ardrossan to catch the 50 minute ferry to Arran.  We hit heavy fog on the way down but we have faith it will get better.  There is no rain forecast so that’s good. The ferry is the largest we have been on.  Counting today’s round trips we will have been on 9 ferries this trip.  We pull the car into the bay and a second level of cars has already been raised above us. It is a tradition for the Ferguson’s to have bacon baps or botties on their morning ferry trip.  So we sacrifice and eat the fresh bread and tasty bacon. The sea is calm and easy sailing. Arrive in the town of Brodick.  Arran is called Scotland in miniature, having some level of Scotland’s lands and seas within its 80 miles of shoreline.  The big peak, Goat Fell, around 2800 feet is shrouded in clouds right now.  We drive off the ferry through the little town following the shoreline.  The site of Ferguson’s 60^th anniversary family celebration is a very nice resort and spa.  We heard so much about that weekend we’re glad to revisit the site with them.  We drive by Brodick castle but just get a few pics.  Stop off briefly for Arran’s Aromatics, lotions and perfumes and soaps and Arran cheeses; pick up oak smoke and claret cheeses to try.  Stopped at Arran Distillery for a quick visit.  Pick up a small bottle to test later.  This business is only 20 years old.  While there we find some Arran ice cream, frozen custard confection.  Stop at Lochranza Castle located on a beautiful bay of water.  This is the ruins from medieval times and still has enough structure to see what it must have looked like.  We follow the shoreline of very narrow track road and tiny villages.  We are facing Bute Sound and across from here is the Mull of Kintyre, in Argyllshire, home of the Campbell Clan.  It is accessible by ferry.  Stop at Black Waterfoot, a stream coming out of the mountains to the ocean.  This tiny village has a golf course played by McLean and friends on family vacations. It is also the site of the family reunion lunch.  The clubhouse is very nice and the lunch was tasty.  Ferguson’s share their family vacation memories all along the way, pointing out the sites. All along the way we periodically see very old tiny harbors made out of stone, most still used.  This is unique to any area we have seen until now.  Pat sees a big rock on the edge of the water and thinks it is a seal.  It is!  It’s a huge thing poised on the top of a 6 foot rock.  Can’t figure how it’s going to get down, except to wait for the tide.  We see a fair number of cormorants, diving sea birds. We have driven through some tight valleys and high mountain passes.  We still can’t see the mountains.  But we can see lots of sheep.  The island highway is a figure 8; we travel the top half and cut back through the middle.  By now we are in full sun and the mountains are clearing.  Get in line for the ferry and voila!, faith prevails.  Goat fell and other high peaks are unveiled out of the mists.  It’s a beautiful sight.  As we leave Brodick we can see Holy Island and Ailsa once more.  Enjoying the top deck with warm breezes and full sun.  The water is like quicksilver. Out of the blue there is a huge black submarine running on the surface right behind our ferry.  It moves quickly out away from the Firth of Clyde and toward the Irish Sea. Looking up the Firth of Clyde there are many large mountains looming and we believe we are likely seeing Ben Lomond at least and maybe even Ben Nevis.  Back on land and heading for Glasgow.  On a high point coming into town we see a vista of hills and mountains in the north over the Clyde River.  It is a spectacular sight.  We all know that we have had an exceptional day of adventure, views and friendly chat.  Returning home to a ‘picnic’ of Arran and Orkney cheeses and oak cakes and a few digestive biscuits.  Still full from lunch, it hits the spot.  Ending the day with laughs and chats.  Most grateful for the beauty of nature, the weather, safe travels and good friends.  Last day in Glasgow tomorrow, sorry to go.  Nighty night.