 Deep fried battered Haggis |  Cattle ferry to Isle of Luing |  Atlantic Ocean view, crossing to Island of Seil |  View of Loch from farmhouse |
Three o’clock in the morning is not usually my best time to rise from dreams. But the 6.30am plane from Gatwick left just enough time in Glasgow to catch a bus to Oban, to then cross to the Island of Seil for the ferry to the Scottish Isle of Luing, for the gathering of priests and bishops of my church.
The bus to Oban (‘An t-Òban’ in the Scottish Gaelic language) is worth catching. The road winds around the edge of two very long lakes (Lochs) – Loch Lomond is 24 miles (39k) long, and Loch Awe 25 miles (41k) long! They’re as calm as mirrors, reflecting jagged mountains of green grass or forests. Peace comes from clear crystal lochs. Feelings of isolation comes from mountain houses dotted at least a mile apart.
Whenever I visit Scotland, as soon as possible I buy a freshly made, piping hot, Scotch Pie, and some haggis. They’re traditional Scottish fayre. Waiting for a lift in Oban gives time to eat, and truly make you feel you’re in Scotland.
Scotch Pies are the size of a large orange, with thin, crunchy all-round pastry and a filling of minced meat and spicy gravy. Textures and tastes combine to a yumminess most holiday makers yearn for each visit.
Haggis is banned in the USA, because it traditionally uses sheep’s lungs. Perhaps if I thought more about that, I’d ban it from my stomach too! Time-honoured Haggis Dinner comes with ‘Neeps and Tatties’ (mashed swede and mashed potato) and a small jug of Scots Whiskey Sauce. But this time I tried ’Deep fried battered haggis’. Filling, but I immediately felt in Scotland.
A small humped stone bridge spans an Atlantic Ocean inlet from the mainland to the Island of Seil. From there, a tiny cattle ferry takes one truck or two medium sized cars to the peaceful Isle of Luing (pronounced ‘Ling’). Luing only has 170 residents, plus Luing cattle, developed for tough winter weather.
Priests and bishops who arrived earlier, hired a boat to beautiful Holy Island. Ancient spiritual heritage stretches back to the 6th century. Lama Yeshe, a Tibetan meditation master, started his Holy Isle Project here. Nearby is the Centre for World Peace and Health, for retreats, courses, and spiritual holidays. It’s worth the trip!
Bedtime was in a comfy Scottish farmhouse, built on the side of a Loch from grey stone blocks cut from a local mountain. No sound disturbs your happy, peaceful, spiritual dreams.
The bus to Oban (‘An t-Òban’ in the Scottish Gaelic language) is worth catching. The road winds around the edge of two very long lakes (Lochs) – Loch Lomond is 24 miles (39k) long, and Loch Awe 25 miles (41k) long! They’re as calm as mirrors, reflecting jagged mountains of green grass or forests. Peace comes from clear crystal lochs. Feelings of isolation comes from mountain houses dotted at least a mile apart.
Whenever I visit Scotland, as soon as possible I buy a freshly made, piping hot, Scotch Pie, and some haggis. They’re traditional Scottish fayre. Waiting for a lift in Oban gives time to eat, and truly make you feel you’re in Scotland.
Scotch Pies are the size of a large orange, with thin, crunchy all-round pastry and a filling of minced meat and spicy gravy. Textures and tastes combine to a yumminess most holiday makers yearn for each visit.
Haggis is banned in the USA, because it traditionally uses sheep’s lungs. Perhaps if I thought more about that, I’d ban it from my stomach too! Time-honoured Haggis Dinner comes with ‘Neeps and Tatties’ (mashed swede and mashed potato) and a small jug of Scots Whiskey Sauce. But this time I tried ’Deep fried battered haggis’. Filling, but I immediately felt in Scotland.
A small humped stone bridge spans an Atlantic Ocean inlet from the mainland to the Island of Seil. From there, a tiny cattle ferry takes one truck or two medium sized cars to the peaceful Isle of Luing (pronounced ‘Ling’). Luing only has 170 residents, plus Luing cattle, developed for tough winter weather.
Priests and bishops who arrived earlier, hired a boat to beautiful Holy Island. Ancient spiritual heritage stretches back to the 6th century. Lama Yeshe, a Tibetan meditation master, started his Holy Isle Project here. Nearby is the Centre for World Peace and Health, for retreats, courses, and spiritual holidays. It’s worth the trip!
Bedtime was in a comfy Scottish farmhouse, built on the side of a Loch from grey stone blocks cut from a local mountain. No sound disturbs your happy, peaceful, spiritual dreams.
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