The Knock Bridge on the B8035 just east of Salen is a very important structure in keeping the island connected and flowing. It has been shut for substantial repairs for a few weeks. During this time we realised how much we take it for granted. Not least the families and farmers who lived on the ‘other side’ of the bridge. They were looking at a huge detour to get to Salen, usually only a couple of miles from the bridge. For us, the inconvenience was a very minor one. It meant we could not recommend our guests drive back from Iona via the ‘scenic route’. But now it is open again! Thankfully! This stunning road takes you along Loch Scridain, through Glen Seilisdeir, under the dramatic cliffs at Gribun to Gruline.
Half day trip
I am having an exhibition of my photographs at Calgary in July. I had photographs needing to be framed. The framer is in Fionnphort! I decided to go late afternoon and come home in the evening. It was a beautiful, bright sunny day, about 21 degrees (according to the car). I drove down to Fionnphort via Craignure, dropping a couple of things off at Castaways on my way. I stopped at Pennyghael Stores for a moment. The tide was low, the air so still, the colours intense. The marker posts stood proud below the tide line. I was reminded of my father driving across the bay at low tide following the posts. My mother was not very happy at our precious Citroen DS being driven across a salty low tide!
Ardalanish
I dropped the photographs off in Fionnphort. The Iona ferry had just come in and lots of people were walking back to their cars. I decided to go to Ardalanish on my way home. It is a few miles off the main road, signposted to Uisken. The views out to Jura are wonderful.
Coming home
The view from the edge of the Gribun cliffs looking down over Balmeanach and Inch Kenneth are amazing. I always suggest our guests come home this way – because of this! The light can be magical!
At Ulva Ferry looking up Loch Tuath, the wonderful light continues. The water was so still. Difficult to believe there is any tide movement at all on a night like this.
And finally the rewarding view over the Treshnish woodland, from the top of the hill. Look at the hills of the Uists in the distance beyond Coll! To the left, not in this picture, we could see the hills of Barra and Vatersay too. Stunning!
