During my summer visit to Oban on the West Coast of Scotland I did a bit of island hopping – including the obligatory Mull, Iona and Staffa – though the best two days were spent walking on Kerrera (more on that later) and the lovely Isle of Lismore, a long, low and lush island in Loch Linnhe.

I took the ferry from Oban on a sunny Sunday for the smooth crossing to Achnacroish.  The route crosses Oban Bay providing fine views of Maiden Island (above) on the way and whilst I was photographing the island the sea breeze claimed my hat and it descended to a watery grave, much to the amusement of other foot passengers!  At Achnacroish I took the path along the coast, looking back to see the ferry loading at the slipway (featured image, top).

The path follows the shore to the Celtic cross memorial to Waverley Arthur Cameron, son of Scottish inventor Duncan Cameron.  Waverley drowned when his yacht foundered nearby in 1891.

From the monument I followed the farm track inland to the Lismore Gaelic Heritage Centre with its interesting and well-preserved Cottar’s House next door.  By this time it was really hot, so I bought a cold drink in the cafe but opted to sit outside in the shade rather than join the other visitors on the decking in the full sun.

A short way along the lane from the heritage centre is the tiny Lismore Parish Church.  There’s another cross next to the church and an interesting covered display next to it with a selection of ancient grave slabs, where some fellow passengers from the ferry remarked that I could probably do with a hat in the hot weather, with which I agreed.

I retraced my steps along the lane a short way and then cut across fields to the ruins of Castle Coeffin  on the northern coast, overlooking the Lyn of Morvern, a great spot to just sit and admire the view for a while.

However, being a Sunday I couldn’t sit admiring views for too long as there was just one ferry back to Oban at 4pm, so after a while I made my way back to Achnacroish to await its arrival.  The old jetty with its white shelter made quite an interesting subject, but the small vehicle ferry docks at the nearby slipway.

In due course the ferry arrived and another equally smooth trip commenced, admiring yachts sailing in the Firth of Lorn on the way.  I trust they all fared better than Waverley Arthur Cameron!