The adventure really began today as we made our way from Edinburgh to Dunfermline and then Oban. There was a little bit pop trepidation on my part as I picked up the rental car and then navigated through the streets of Edinburgh. Whew! I managed to drive on the left side of the road through city streets and get us out to the main road to Dunfermilne. Thankfully my Apple Car Play kicked in and we had a navigation system that was flawless!
First stop was Dunfermline Abbey and church where Robert the Bruce is buried. Talk about history! One of the three heads of succession of Somerled was Angus Mor Mac Donald. Angus Mor Mac Donald’s successors were, successively, his sons, Alexander of Islay and Angus Óg of Islay. During Angus Óg’s Lordship of Islay he gave considerable support to the cause of Robert the Bruce, including fighting alongside him at Bannockburn. In return he was rewarded with grants of land in Lochaber, Ardnamurchan, Morvern, Duror and Glencoe all territory of the Lords of the Isles included in my book project. So a visit to Dunfermline was a must! The abbey is astonishing and then to stand by the grave of the great Scottish king Robert the Bruce is otherworldly.
After leaving Dunfermline we headed to Oban and on the way stopped in to tour the Glenturret distillery – the oldest whisky distillery in Scotland. Thanks to an infusion of cash and class from Lalique this storied distillery not only still produced an award winning whisky but boasts a Michelin 2 star restaurant. Who would have thought!
We finished the day checking into the hotel in Oban and preparing for a great adventure to the Isle of Eigg tomorrow.
