We had some extra time on our hands after visiting Bunnahabhain and Bowmore Distilleries, so Sean drove us back past Port Charlotte to the southwestern tip of Islay and a quaint little village named Portnahaven. It as a quite peaceful and sleepy, with a population of 150….we saw not a soul during our visit.
There was a little seaside trail called "Rathas nan Iasgairean" and you know the Missus and trails, right? It was a short and pleasant walk.
On the drive back to Port Charlotte, Sean, knowing that the Missus was charmed by the "Heilan' Coos" stopped a couple of times so the Missus could take some photos and "ooh and aah" over them.
They didn't seem to care about their paparazzi moment….
We got back to the hotel and decided to take a stroll. We headed up the road in the northerly direction.
Past the Loch Indaal Lighthouse.
And past Saint Kiarins Church.
Completed in 1899.
And on up to the Kilchoman War Memorial.
There's a bench and table nearby with the following tag.
From here we headed back. Though we took a short detour up one of the side roads. Because who could resist the adorable sheep and lamb…..
Unlike the "Coos", the sheep seemed a bit curious…..
And the views walking back to to the main road were amazing.
The air so fresh and crisp, the grass so green…..
We got back to the hotel and I saw Sean having a drink at the bar, so I decided to join him while the Missus freshened up. Sean knew the owners of the hotel and one of them was tending bar on this evening. Sean mentioned the Missus's love of really peaty Scotch and the gentleman pulled a bottle of what he called the "most peaty" and it was still sealed. "No one dares drink this….." It was a brand named Octomore. He told Sean he's open it so that we could have a whiff. When he took the seal off, the cork just blew off the bottle! It was hilarious. And man, it smelled like I'd been rolling around on the floor of a cigar factory!
Soon enough Sean had to take leave and the Missus joined me for dinner. We just got a table in the bar area this time.
Of course we got the oysters.
And the Mushrooms….
Just like last time.
I also ordered the Fish and Chips to share.
It was a bit overdone for our preference and on the drier side. The potatoes were awesome though.
When dessert arrived……
I had an idea! I asked the owner if the Missus could have a "wee dram" of the Octomore and even though he looked at me in disbelief he gladly obliged.
We paid and took the dessert and drinks out to the front area of the hotel, after all "smoking is illegal in public enclosed spaces in Scotland, and the Missus got Her Octomore…and more!
I could see the owner peeking out the window seeing if the Missus would actually drink the stuff; which She did. It was quite funny.
We enjoyed watching folks taking their evening stroll from the al fresco table…..
It was just a perfect end to the day!
The next morning we had breakfast before we headed on back to the mainland.
The Missus had loved the Smoked Kippers I'd had the day before so She ordered that with some poached eggs.
Meanwhile, I went for it and ordered the Full Scottish Breakfast….which was no joke….
It had Baked Beans, good texture but a bit too sweet for my taste, Stornoway Black Pudding, good, a bit gritty, the acidity from the grilled tomato and the lovely fried potato scone really tased good together. The smoked back bacon was quite meaty though tender if a bit on the salty side. I wish the pork sausage was actually Lorne Sausage, but you can't have everything, right? I enjoyed the mushrooms with the toast. And of course a sunny side up egg. Whew……..of course this was going to hold me until dinner!
Port Charlotte Hotel
Main St.
Port Charlotte PA48 7TU, Scotland
As we headed on out, Sean turned the music on and the perfect song, one from the days of my youth came on:
"Smiles in the sunshine and tears in the rain
Still take me back to where my memories remain
Flickering embers growing higher and higher
As they carry me back to the Mull of Kintyre
Mull of Kintyre
Oh, mist rolling in from the sea
My desire is always to be here
Oh, Mull of Kintyre"
Mull of Kintyre by Paul McCartney and Wings.
A perfect way to end our stay on Islay.
It was time to skedaddle.
Of course we still had most of a day ahead of us and Sean had a couple of stops prepared!
Thanks for stopping by!