Hello again! I trust you all had a good day yesterday. Now that little fuss and fuddle is over and done, it's back to the tale of the inveterate traveller. We left off on Sunday with the teaser view of mainland Scotland dropping away behind the stern of a Caledonian MacBrayne ferry.
I was headed for the Isle of Bute which had seriously caught my eye in the property hunting stakes. The only way to be sure if 'the call' as genuine, was to get over there!
Right from the moment we reached the port of Rothesay, I felt comfortable. Had been studying the place so much, I felt I knew it already. The self-catering flat I had taken for the week proved to be very comfortable, having all the basic necessities. It was an attic conversion with tiny kitchen and bathroom but was all that I needed as a base - it's greatest attraction was that it was also on a hill and had panoramic views over the water and the Cowal hills!!
The week was mostly overcast, as evidenced here, but we were having really mild temperatures and, thankfully, the rain stayed well away for most of it too.
The primary aim of the week of course was to get to know the estate agents and take in some property viewings. This was managed well. Indeed some of the places of interest are in the row of tenement flats you see at far left above!! Having a local shop and post office is handy. Obviously this cut into 'tourist' time, but I did a bit of that too!
Most of my photographs were taken to show the ever-changing moods of the weather. Having travelled over on the Saturday, I kept indoors for Sunday and ventured up to the town centre on Monday. The local bus service is very good. The flat was out at Ardbeg - maybe 2 miles from town. I wandered the streets taking in the feel and noting some delightful little shops. Introduced myself to the two Estate Agents and set up viewings.
I found a gorgeous totally vegetarian bistro too!! There is a lot of artisan and musical base to the island population and many residents are non-native, as it were. All very friendly though. It is the sort of place where spontaneous conversation can break out.
On the Tuesday, I popped into the Discovery centre and had a wonderful time exploring the exhibits about the history, geology, etc of Bute. Did a wee bit of shopping then headed home for an early evening.
Wednesday was the biggest day - but more on that tomorrow! Here are some of the 'mood' shots.
I was headed for the Isle of Bute which had seriously caught my eye in the property hunting stakes. The only way to be sure if 'the call' as genuine, was to get over there!
Right from the moment we reached the port of Rothesay, I felt comfortable. Had been studying the place so much, I felt I knew it already. The self-catering flat I had taken for the week proved to be very comfortable, having all the basic necessities. It was an attic conversion with tiny kitchen and bathroom but was all that I needed as a base - it's greatest attraction was that it was also on a hill and had panoramic views over the water and the Cowal hills!!
.jpg) |
| copyright Yamini Ali MacLean |
The week was mostly overcast, as evidenced here, but we were having really mild temperatures and, thankfully, the rain stayed well away for most of it too.
The primary aim of the week of course was to get to know the estate agents and take in some property viewings. This was managed well. Indeed some of the places of interest are in the row of tenement flats you see at far left above!! Having a local shop and post office is handy. Obviously this cut into 'tourist' time, but I did a bit of that too!
Most of my photographs were taken to show the ever-changing moods of the weather. Having travelled over on the Saturday, I kept indoors for Sunday and ventured up to the town centre on Monday. The local bus service is very good. The flat was out at Ardbeg - maybe 2 miles from town. I wandered the streets taking in the feel and noting some delightful little shops. Introduced myself to the two Estate Agents and set up viewings.
I found a gorgeous totally vegetarian bistro too!! There is a lot of artisan and musical base to the island population and many residents are non-native, as it were. All very friendly though. It is the sort of place where spontaneous conversation can break out.
On the Tuesday, I popped into the Discovery centre and had a wonderful time exploring the exhibits about the history, geology, etc of Bute. Did a wee bit of shopping then headed home for an early evening.
Wednesday was the biggest day - but more on that tomorrow! Here are some of the 'mood' shots.
.jpg) |
| copyright Yamini Ali MacLean |
.jpg) |
| copyright Yamini Ali MacLean |
.jpg) |
| copyright Yamini Ali MacLean |
Great views, I could live there.
ReplyDeleteMerle..............
Happy trails, traveler. We're staying put and warm in the freeze.
ReplyDeleteOh, it's beautiful, Yam. I did a bit of an on-line exploring myself, and I think some of the rentals I checked out were in Ardberg, in addition to some in Rothesay itself.
ReplyDeleteI hope you do move there. Then, when Dick finally takes me to Britain, we could take a holiday flat for a week and explore the islands.
Sigh.
British Columbia (where I was born) has plenty of exquisite islands, but none with the history of the Scottish isles.
Sigh again.
Back to the kitchen for me now, however.
Love, K
Hari Om
ReplyDeleteEdenic!!
Hari OM
ReplyDeleteMerle - I know you could. There are places which have quite a bit land attached and you could bring Drumstick, Angus and the cats!!
Jenn - good plan...
Kay - Yup I hoped you'd say that!!
Magiceye- very close certainly!
I could live there, in a corner with a bow window. Is there a school for the children?
ReplyDeleteHari OM
ReplyDeleteYes Joanne - a modern and all ages school!! It is a very self-contained island.
DH's paternal grandparents retired to Rothesay, so he spent many happy childhood holidays there. I get the feeling you may well have found your corner of Scotland, Yam. :-)
ReplyDelete