Two 18th century Dukes of Argyll created Inveraray as one of the finest Georgian towns in Scotland;  with well-proportioned houses, public buildings and archways.  Inveraray Jail is one of the most imaginative museums in Scotland and is worth a visit.  Inveraray Castle, the seat of the Duke of Argyll stands in parkland beside the River Aray and features an imposing armoury hall, valuable tapestries and portraits, handsome public rooms, a grand Victorian kitchen and an exhibition on the far-flung connections of Clan Campbell.   In the grounds, the combined services Museum illustrates Inveraray’s Warld War Two role as a training area for amphibious landings.  A few miles further along the road to the east from the Castle you will find the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar and Shop where you must not miss the opportunity to sample the fine produce from the local area (including the oysters from Loch Fyne) either from the shop or the immediately adjoining restaurant.
Heading west from Inveraray takes you along the Loch Fyne shoreline towards Lochgilphead.   This popular holiday centre is the bustling shopping and market town for a wide area of mid-Argyll. Continuing in a westerly direction brings you to the wonderful Crinan Canal with the village of Crinan at the western basin of the canal much frequented by yachts and local fishing boats.   Here you will also find the elegant sophistication of the Crinan Hotel (below).   The Ryan  family has run the hotel for 35 years and welcoming guests from around the world. Much acclaimed by journalists and food writers, it has 20 artistically decorated bedrooms, some with private balconies all with breathtaking views of Loch Crinan or the islands of Scarba, Jura and the whirlpool of the Corryvreckan.   Watching the sunset from the Westward Restaurant you will find the freshest of seafood; jumbo prawns, clams, lobsters and fish landed by the boats 50 yards from the kitchen.But days are short at the time of the year and it was necessary to head back from Crinan to Kilmartin, and thereafter via the Kilmartin Valley and the south eastern shore of Loch Awe to Portsonachan and our cosy haven nearby.  Portsonachan was once the port where Highland cattle were ferried across Loch Awe on their way to the lowland markets, but is a much less hectic village now though the Portsonanchan Hotel and Country Club (below), on the site of the 15-century ferry inn, appears to be thriving in this isolated locality, mainly due to the patronage of the fishing fraternity because the area is also a well known angling centre.

Another day saw our party making for Oban (above left), Seal Island and the Bridge over the Atlantic.  Oban appeared to have changed a great deal since our last visit though it is still the main port for Caledonian MacBrayne ships servicing the Islands. The Mull ferry was waiting to depart and we were almost tempted to make the trip over for the day but resisted. A lot of the shops on the front facing the sea were now tourist orientated and it could have been the main street of Callander or Fort William!   The street layout was difficult and I defy any one to gain access to the main Supermarket at a first try.   But the shops were busy with Christmas shoppers and we enjoyed that part of the visit.