Scotland – Island Hopping 2022 – Days 14-15

Isle of Arran – Kildonnan – 19th May
One of our gas bottles gave up the ghost this morning and we were not sure how much left in the other. Whiting Bay had the nearest garage and we were able to collect a bottle which meant showers all round again. Our next adventure was around the south of the island, nothing planned just see what was there. We came across a delightful village, Kildonnan. Stopping on a high point overlooking the bay it begged for another beach walk, something we had been doing plenty of this holiday, and loving it. Parts of the bay were roped off for nesting birds presumably Oystercatchers and Ringed Plovers, the Kildonnan Hotel provided some light refreshment. The proprietor keeps the hotel open all year around and we were pleased to hear that their were enough locals too frequent it and make it worth staying open (live music, quizzes and a pool league helps).

Kildonann – Pladda lighthouse and Ailsa Craig in the distance.
Kldonnan rock pool – it never ceases to amaze me the amount of species a small 1 metre rock pool can hold (and the colours are always a surprise).
A very strange piece of architecture in the middle of the village harking back to what might appear to be a colonial style house.

Isle of Arran – Off with a ‘Bang’ – 20th May
Our last day on the beautiful Isle of Arran. On reflection we could have stayed here a little longer vowing to return one day. But will we? The enjoyment we receive from exploring new places means there is so much to see we may not fulfil that vow to return. Maybe we will slow down in a few years and put our feet down in places for longer visits rather than getting itchy feet to see what is around the corner to surprise us.
We made our way to Brodick for the ferry back to the mainland, surprised by how large the vessel was and just how many foot and car passengers there were, we were the last to board. The 55-minute journey passed very quickly and before we knew we were back in Hilma waiting to disembark. That is when things took a turn for the worse on this holiday. An ‘incident’ resulted in our solar panel parting company with Hilma! I say incident because at present it is unresolved, and I am unable to make further comment, suffice to say we had to get a ladder and remove the solar panel for safety reasons – we did not want that flying off at 50mph down the dual carriageway.

What remains of the panel after removing from the roof of Hilma. No way could we travel with it ‘flapping’ around up there.
What remains of the front spoiler that held the panel in place. Not good! Needed a good clean anyway.

An hour at the port delayed our journey but we made good time and were at our CL site ‘The Brough’ in Dumfries and Galloway and on our blocks by 6:15pm.
Beer time for me and a white wine for Janette to relax.

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