Oban, Scotland September 2018
The Church of St. Mary and St. Finnan
Glenfinnan, Scotland - September 10, 2018: A beautiful church that caught our eye as we passed by. I had to stop to take a few pictures of this cathedral which was built between 1870 and 1872. The Loch Shiel is the body of water behind the church. We were not able to go inside unfortunately. The doors were closed.
Loch nan Uamh - iPhone
Glenfinnan, Scotland - September 10, 2018: "The bay into which Bonnie Prince Charlie, also called the Young Pretender, sailed. Eight months later, after the fall at Culloden, Charles Stuart returned to the Loch nan Uamh. Fleeing from his enemies, he boarded a French frigate to escape. The Young Pretender died in Rome in 1788 without ever returning to Scotland again" - Wikipedia
Glenfinnan Monument - iPhone
Glenfinnan, Scotland - September 10, 2018: "This monument was built to commemorate the Jacobite uprising in 1745. Bonnie Prince Charlie arrived here in a small rowing boat, having come from France to claim the British throne in the name of his father, James Stuart'.Wikipedia
Corriemar House - iPhone
Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: Our lodging in Oban. We had a view of the sea.
Corriemar House - iPhone
Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: Our room at the Corriemar House was quite spacious with a lovely view.
Corriemar House- iPhone
Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: I remember the bed being a bit tilted and lumpy but it worked.
Corriemar House- iPhone
Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: Plenty of room for our stuff.
Sound of Kerrera - iPhone
Oban, Scotland - September 10, 2018: The Sound of Kerrera borders the coast of Oban.
EE-USK - iPhone
Oban, Scotland - September 11, 2018: A very good restaurant for dinner. Very modern and very busy.
The UK's mail service - iPhone
Oban, Scotland - September 11, 2018: The USPS of the UK.
Oyster Inn - iPhone
Oban, Scotland - September 10, 2018: Great food!
Oyster Inn - iPhone
Oban, Scotland - September 10, 2018: It's also a place to stay.
McCaig's Tower
Oban, Scotland - September 11, 2018: Walking the paths through McCaig's Tower.
McCaig's Tower
Oban, Scotland - September 11, 2018: "John Stuart McCaig, a wealthy, philanthropic banker, commissioned and architected the tower beginning in 1897 until his death in 1902. Although it was never finished, his intention was to provide a lasting monument to his family and provide stonework for the local masons during the winter months.
The entrance to McCaig's Tower
Oban, Scotland - September 11, 2018: "McCaig's Tower, also called McCaig's Folly is a prominent tower on Battery Hill overlooking the town of Oban." - Wikipedia
View from McCaig's Tower
Oban, Scotland - September 11, 2018: A view of Oban with a lighthouse in the distance.
McCaig's Tower
Oban, Scotland - September 11, 2018: "John Stuart McCaig was an admirer of Roman and Greek architecture and sought to base his elaborate structure on the Roman Colosseum. His plans included a museum and art gallery with a central tower. Inside the central tower there were to be commissioned statues of himself, his siblings and his parents. At the time of his death, with only the outer walls constructed, the work was never completed. Although his will allowed for 1,000 lbs per year for maintenance, the will was disputed by his heirs and their appeal to the court was upheld." - Wikipedia
View of the Firth of Lorn waters
Oban, Scotland - September 11, 2018: A ship passes through one of the 94 lancet arches of McCaig's Tower.
iPhone
180911untitled6444Print
Dunstaffnage Castle
Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: A view of Dunstaffnage Castle from a distance which is nearly in ruins but is one of the oldest castles in Scotland having been built in the 13th century. "The castle was involved in many battles over the years and one of the first was during the Wars of Independence, (1296-1356) when Robert the Bruce beseiged the fortress around 1308" - Wikipedia
iPhone
180911untitled6457Print
Dunstaffnage Castle Castle Walls
Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: Notice the very tall walls which are 3.5 meters thick. This provided protection from various sieges which were a common occurance in the early years of the castle.
iPhone
180911untitled6456Print
Interesting History
Dunstaffnage Castle, Oban, Scotland - September 11, 2018: "The castle was involved in the Jacobite uprising with occupation by the Redcoats. Bonnie Prince Charlie fled from the Battle of Culloden and Flora MacDonald helped him cross over to Skye for his escape, but Flora, one of the more notorious guests of the castle, was captured and imprisoned at Dunstaffnage until she was moved to the Tower of London. She was released the following year" - Wikipedia
iPhone
180911untitled6447Print
The castle well
Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: The castle had its own freshwater well, dug through the bredrock in 1100s, to provide safe drinking water. With the well located in the fortress courtyard, the inhabitants were assured that the water was free from poison, something an enemy might attempt.
iPhone
180911untitled6452Print
Dunstaffnage Castle
Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: A view of the interior courtyard. In this image one can see the well on the left side of the photograph.
iPhone
180911untitled6450Print
Defense of the castle
Dunstaffnage Castle, Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: The narrow slits in the stone were architected for troops using bow and arrows on their enemies. The various angles of the slit allowed for optimal placement of the bow and arrow, and the widened fishtail allowed the men a greater field of view. The holes in the walls above came from cannons when gunfire became a popular means of warfare in the 1400s.
iPhone
180911untitled6451Print
Patrolling the castle
Dunstaffnage Castle, Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: The castle guards could walk around the castle perimeter by a stone path at the top. My guess is that back then there were no guard rails like we see here - just a walkway to watch for incoming intruders.
Different View
Dunstaffnage Castle, Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: Another view from the top. "The castle was built by the MacDougall lords of Lorn, and has been held since the 15th century by the Clan Campbell. To this day there is a hereditary Captain of Dunstaffnage, although they no longer reside at the castle." - Wikipedia
iPhone
180911untitled6445Print
View of Loch Etive
Dunstaffnage Castle, Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: "The castle was built in the 1220's on a very strategic point as it sits on a promontory at the southwest entrance of Loch Etive and is surrounded on 3 sides by the sea" - Wikipedia A view of Loch Etive as seen from the top of the castle. Here the soldiers could see any intruders coming in by boat.
Window View
Dunstaffnage Castle, Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: View through the window at the top of the castle.
Narrow stairs
Dunnstaffnage Castle, Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: A steep, ancient, narrow stairwell. "Sometime in the 7th century before Dunstaffnage was built, legend has it that the Stone of Destiny was kept at this location after being brought from Ireland, before it was moved to Scone Palace in 843. The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, the Coronation Stone, Jacob's Pillow Stone and the Tanist Stone is an oblong block of red sandstone that has been used for centuries in the coronation of the Scotland monarchs. After the English invasion of Scotland in 1296, it was seized by Edward I and used for the British monarchs to sit on during their coronations as well. It weighs about 335 lbs and has a cross incised on one surface with iron rings embedded on either side to facilitate transport. It is now kept in Edinburgh Castle with the Scottish Crown Jewels" - Wikipedia
iPhone
180911untitled6448Print
Upstairs in the castle
Dunnstaffnage Castle, Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: A large room upstairs within the Gatehouse that has windows facing the water. It has been said that a "heavy-footed ghost " haunts the rooms of the old castle.
iPhone
180911untitled6453Print
Dunstaffnage Castle - iPhone
Dunnstaffnage Castle, Oban, Scotland - September 11, 2018: A view of one end of the large room.
Dunstaffnage Castle - iPhone
Dunnstaffnage Castle, Oban, Scotland - September 11, 2018: A view of the other end of the large room.
Taking a break
Dunnstaffnage Castle, Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: Jim patiently waits for me while I take pictures.
iPhone
180911untitled6449Print
Solid doors
Dunnstaffnage Castle, Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: Heavy wooden doors open to the walkway outside.
Interesting Reading
Dunnstaffnage Castle, Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: There is much history here at Dunstaffnage. If only these walls could talk. I imagine the stories would be riveting and probably a bit gruesome as well.
Pathway to the Chapel
Dunstaffnage Castle, Oban, Scotland - September 11, 2018: Walking along the pretty, quiet path to the chapel which sits not very far from the castle.
Steps leading to the entrance of the chapel
Dunnstaffnage Castle, Oban, Scotland - September 09, 2018: "A private chapel built in the 13th Century by Duncan MacDougall" - Wikipedia