Our last two days on Mull

So dawned our last day of Mull, and a great holiday it has been. Peaceful, interesting and lots to see.

This fern just appealed to me as it sprouted from the stone wall - Polypodium vulgare, the common polypody. Seen at a stop on our way to today's adventure.

Another abandoned cottage as we drove toward Loch na Keal, intending to explore another area we had not seen much of to date.

Northern Eggar caterpillar or asiocampa quercus, as its Latin name.

Loch na Keal - We drove along the southern edge of the loch toward Loch Ba. This was another unspoilt and beautiful drive. We watched sea eagles over the loch and just looked at the peaceful scenery, with all the worlds problems a million miles away.

We came across this pile of stones, obviously left by some earlier passer by.

Loch Ba

More views of Loch Ba

Our interest in this Mausoleum is the fact that, while traveling in Australia, Macquarie was a town that we passed by and it resonated when we came across this Mausoleum so unexpectedly in Mull!

So for a snippet of history as to what the connection was:

Lachlan MacQuarie was born on the Isle of Ulva, just off the northwest coast of Mull, in 1761. His father was a cousin of the last chief of Clan MacQuarrie. He joined the military in 1775, at the age of just 14, and rose to become a Major General, but retired to travel the world after 30 years of service. When his first wife died shortly after their marriage, MacQuarie was despondent and returned home to Mull. There he met and married his second wife, Elizabeth Campbell, in 1807. In 1809 he was offered the post of Governor of New South Wales and moved to Australia.

During his tenure in office (1810-1821) MacQuarie travelled widely in Australia and helped improve the political stability of the newly developing region. He resigned his post in 1821 due to poor health, and moved back to Mull, where he died in 1824. 

So influential was MacQuarie in the establishment of a new and - for the time - relatively independent nation, that he became known as 'The Father of Australia' after his death in 1824.

After his death the mausoleum was built in the grounds of the Gruline estate, which he owned. The mausoleum is a very simple structure built of sandstone, a rectangle with a slate roof and gables at each end. There are three small mock buttresses on each long wall. Both gable ends have an inset niche, occupied entirely by a large carved monument in marble. Inside are buried Lachlan and Elizabeth MacQuarrie, and their 2 children; son Lachlan and daughter Jane, who died in infancy.

And so, as we wait to leave Mull, we watch as our ferry approaches and contemplate a fabulous holiday. I would like to return, if the weather were to be a kind as it was this time!

Our parting view of Castle Duart on our way back to the mainland. Unlike the day we arrived, this was a clear mist free one.

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Calgary

We thought we would explore the North West corner of Mull today and pinpointed Calgary as our destination. Calgary is a hamlet on the north west coast of Mull, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It was the origin of the name of Fort Calgary in Canada, which became the city of Calgary, Alberta.

The route we decided on was along the east coast past Craignure and up to Salen. Then across country to Killiechronan and on up the coast , skirting Loch na Keal, until we reached Calgary. As we drove up the east coast alongside the Sound Of Mull, the mist was hanging over the water making a great image of this boat.

Now this sign amused me a lot! Maybe 20mph or 30mph but 21!!

The fog disperses on the Sound Of Mull.

The first impression we had of Calgary, as we parked our car. Just a huge almost deserted beach with mist still lingering on the hills in the background.

Calgary Art In Nature was set up in 1999. Its aim was to site pieces of sculpture within the woodland at Calgary that will provoke and enlighten a general awareness of art in nature.

From their web site: Our woodland is not a truly natural wood. We see the great beauty of nature in the rocks, trees, flowers, in the sea, in sunshine and shadows. And yet the trees were planted and tended, people have worked the wood and surrounding land for hundreds of years.

It is wonderful to wander through the woods here and see the results of peoples imagination. Well worth seeing.

More of the works of art around the site.

Back at our cottage that evening, we were treated to the sight of these Red Deer peacefully grazing in front of our cottage.

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To the Isle of Ulva

The Isle of Ulva was our destination today, which meant a trip to the North West of Mull, passing Lock na Keal on the way. Although it might be said that `one Lock looks like another`, the scenery is so peaceful that I never tire of the solitude and the feeling of `closeness` to nature.

Two images taken of Loch na Keal on our way to the ferry

Ulva is privately owned by the Howard family and was formerly the home of 600 people who made their living from the collection and exportation of kelp. Today there are 11 residents who make a living from sheep and cattle farming, fish farming, oyster farming and tourism. 

Ulva is a privately owned island with a thriving population of approximately 16 people who are involved variously in traditional sheep and cattle farming, fish farming, oyster farming and tourism. Ulva was formerly the home of 600 people who made their living from the collection and exportation of kelp. 

There are no tarmac roads on Ulva, so no cars, just the 4 wheel cross country bikes used by all inhabitants, young and old. The proprietors (the Howard family) are dedicated to creating a balance between the needs of the community and the preservation of one of Scotland’s most unique, beautiful and accessible islands. 

As can be seen, the distance to Ulva is not great! And yes, that is our ferry awaiting us.

The view from Ulva back to Mull.

Now this I thought was funny. To summon the ferry from the other side you Just pushed the slider across to reveal the red square. Someone presumable was keeping an `eye out` to alert the ferryman!. Much more reliable than modern technology!

Did not see anything out of the ordinary to photograph on Uva, it was just a really pleasant and peaceful walk, wondering what it would be like to live there? However, back on Mull, these Highland cattle made a picture, I thought.

On the drive home, this caught my eye. One ancient, abandoned cottage which I think was near Salen. A place to visit another day, I think.

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