MULL WEEKEND
by Willie Gibson
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Moira and Gordon joined Cathi, Fraser and I in Roslin at 2 p.m. on Friday and we loaded the car with all the gear and only just fitted in. We headed off to Oban to meet the rest of the 20 Carnethy people heading to enjoy the hospitality of John and Serena in Tobermory. We arrived in plenty of time and bought the ferry tickets and then headed in to Oban to find the local Fish and Chip shop and ate our tea sheltering from a heavy downpour on the quayside. I was remembering the many wet weekends I had spent in Mull in the past. The rain eased a little and we headed back to the car and onto the ferry. It was a fine crossing and we all headed for Tobermory and followed the map described to me by Serena and found their house. We settled in to the Scout hut. Our Captain and Angela headed off to the local Hotel, echoes of "Why cant you take me to a Hotel Willie" resounded in my ears (a recurring exclamation which was heard as I lay on the floor of the Scout Hut next to my long suffering wife). We had soup and bread in John and Sere's flat, then a few beers and whiskies were drunk. | ) |
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The next morning we were joined by a couple of lads from John's school. When asked how far they had run before they said "200 yards!" we all set off in various cars for Calgary Bay. It was beautiful, clear and sunny as we grouped and regrouped before heading off south first along the road and then on to a track out to the coast at Treshnish. Fraser came along at the start on his mountain bike, while Cathi Barbel and Ann went for a shorter alternative walk. At Treshnish we admired the glorious coast in the sun and then headed south round the peninsula. Fraser managed on the coastal track for about a mile before the terrain got too much for the bike. He sat admiring the scenery and he ran on leaving Ben Duill on the left. The views were stunning as the sun beat down and we picked our way along the coast. A few miles on we were fighting our way over landslides and rock. The party took some time, and some sandwiches, to regroup at the far side of the worst landslide. We ran on following the natural lines of the cliff till we got to the Broch "Dun Aisgain" and had some lunch. | ) |
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We ran on to Kilninian and the road, the route had got tortuous as I
fought through trees on a high path. The others had found an easier lower route, we
regrouped and decided to form two groups and then headed north along a track between Beinn
an Lochain and Beinn na Cille over moor land. The climb was long and slow but good
running. The young lads had started to wain a little as Moira and Angela passed them. Just
before Moi Angela and I reached the highest point the others headed on again descending to
the road through Crois Mharaidh Dhubh. Duncan had been dropped by the forward pack and I
got within about 20 yards of him and noticed the others on a higher path to the left,
leading into the forest and onto the road. I waited a little for the girls and headed for
the road. the Forrest was quite thick and it took some time to catch the others. Duncan
missed the path and fought through to eventually join us at the road. We crossed the road and ran along a track to Langamull. Then on to Langamull Bay where the sea looked inviting, John, Russell and I went for a swim. The first of the year! |
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The audience were stunned. By the time we had got changed most of the second group of runners had caught up. Andy, Bill and Lyn had headed back to Calgary down the road. We decided not to go back in for the new audience.. |
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We ran the kilometre to the west along the coast to the standing stone at
Cillchriosd and then back to Calgary. Where Fraser was asleep in the car. What a wonderful summers day for January. |
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We all went to the Pub for a meal and an evening of karaoke before heading back to the flat for a few beers. | ) |
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John showed his expertise at the Cornflakes packet game, but was well beaten by Cathi and Serena. | ) |
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The next morning we went in two groups. One lot headed off to recce the boat race route on Ben More, while the rest of us headed off to see the fossil tree at Rubha na h-Uamha. On the way there we drove along the route of the boat race from Salen to Gruline. What a hell of a road that is to run! At least the part beyond Gruline is now not on the route. |
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The weather was not too promising as we drove along so we decided to take the cars to the path to the south. The walkers headed off for a gentle stroll while the rest of us headed for the fossil tree. It was a lovely run of landrover track footpath and beech to reach the tree. On the way Hilary Angela and I watched otters playing on the rocks. The tree was spectacular and had a herd of Goats at its foot John convinced Russell that there was time to carry on north round the peninsula so they headed off. |
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We supped a coffee and had a sandwich before returning to meet the
walkers at the car. On the way back Brad relaxed on a rock, basking in the sun. Is he a
reptile we asked. On the way to the ferry we met John and Russ, they had got a lift from a passing landrover. We all met up at the ferry and headed home after a very good weekend, Our
carful stopped at Balquidder for a bar meal. A very successful trip, we must do it again
sometime. Thanks to John and Serena for being wonderful hosts. |
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