Scotland roadtrip - part 2

On the Tuesday morning of their Scottish roadtrip, Laura and Nicholas James left Inveraray and visited Auchindrain Historic Village. This was a village which by virtue of its geographic location and circumstance hadn't been deserted during waves of highland clearances and was inhabited until 1967. Some of the houses were furnished and showed the evolution of their building (many had been thatched with local heather and other plants until corrogated iron roofing replaced the thatch). 

Laura and Nicholas James were given an interactive guide on a tablet which explained all about each building in the township as they explored. Some of the long houses had been restored, others had been left in their gradually decaying state. They all helped to tell the story of land farmed in common and the inter-relationships with other communities including the traveller communities who contributed their work to the township.

Laura and Nicholas James outside Martin Munro's longhouse in Auchindrain

Laura and Nicholas James at the Byre entrance to Martin Munro's house

Martin Munro's kitchen - Nicholas James and Laura beside the cooking area

On the other side of Martin Munro's kitchen were two beds for children

Martin Munro's kitchen with Nicholas and James looking at the cooking stove arrangements

Laura and Nicholas James explored Martin Munro's byre where the heavy horses used to live

Laura and Nicholas James wished there were horses in the byre

In the room at the other end of the house Laura and Nicholas James found a spinning wheel

An Auchindrain cottage ruins thatched with local plants

Martin Munro's house, Slate house, Stoner's barn and Beal Poll's house in the distance

Baby cradle in Eddie's house at the top end of Auchindrain

Heilan Coo was pleased to find information about cows in Eddie's barn

The traveller community provided important occasional labour for communal Scottish farms and would pitch their bowcamps to live in while they helped with harvesting and other short-term seasonal jobs.

Inside the Traveller's Bowcamp

The Traveller's Bowcamp in memory of Jimmy Townsley and his sister Neenie Reid

Auchindrain was so interesting and deserved a long visit. 

After they left the historic village Laura and Nicholas James continued along the Argyll Coastal Route to Arduaine Gardens which had a wonderful view of the sea lochs and islands nearby.

Sunshine over the sea loch view from Arduaine Gardens

They continued their roadtrip to Oban where they stayed in another youth hostel for the night. The next morning before leaving Oban, Laura, Nicholas James and Heilan Coo decided to visit McCraig's Tower, a late 19th century monument to a family which provides magnificent views over the town, Oban bay and towards the islands of the Inner Hebrides. It was a grey morning however thankfully it was still possible to see out over the harbour.

McCraig's Tower entrance

Inside McCraig's Tower

Inside the walls and arches of McCraig's Tower

Laura and Nicholas James stood in an arch of McCraig's Tower to look out over Oban bay

Nicholas James and Laura looked out over Oban bay

Laura, Nicholas James and Heilan Coo see the Isle of Kerrera and Mull beyond

Laura, Nicholas James and Heilan Coo enjoyed the view from McCraig's Tower

Once again Laura and Nicholas James were on the road again, as they continued on the Argyll Coastal route further into the Highlands of Scotland.