The Isle of Islay-Scotland

Port Charlotte on Islay is a small village with two hotels, a youth hostel and a couple of restaurant/pubs mixed amongst parallel rows of white washed buildings with black trim. At the times of the day when the light hits that certain angle the buildings glow against the usually cloudy sky. We spent the following day hiking up the highest peak on Islay, Beinn Bheigeir. Other than a herd of cows blocking the one lane road and the lower slopes with knee deep bog and blooming purple heather, the hike was quite easy. The lengthy traverse along the summit ridge in heavy fog didn’t allow any views but on the descent we dropped into the sun with white soaring clouds and cobalt blue ocean filling the horizon. Once back at the car Ian (Tim’s college friend and designated driver) drove back to Port Charlotte via Arbeg, Lagavulin, Laphroig and Bowmore Scottish whisky distilleries. Journal: ” I had come to Scotland with the hope of finding a few places that might provide a feeling of peaceful reverence and the stone cross of Kildalton (AD800) set amongst the ruins of a church and weathered tombstones was such a place. The cold damp air with views across the grey ocean touched something deep and ancient within me. “