Fierce Romance: Oban

Oban in Argyll, Scotland is an amazing place to explore, relax and take in the history of the area. One of our favorite places to stay is Clan Cottages on Loch Nell in Kilmore, about 4 or 5 miles outside of Oban. These cottages are only a few years old but they were built in a circle at the edge of the loch to resemble an ancient Celtic village of thatched roof cottages. The whole setting is beautiful and enchanting.

The morning mist at Clan Cottages.

Morning mist on Loch Nell.

Ducks on River Nell.

We've stayed in this cottage too. Loved it!

The cottages have wonderful landscaping.

I couldn't resist taking a pic of this spiderweb in the morning dew.

River Nell and the hill beyond.

One day we took a walk up the nearby hill or mountain, depending on how you view these sorts of things. Once we walked down the narrow one track road along the River Nell and some sheep, we crossed a bridge, walked through a farm or croft and headed up the hill.

Tommy is a sweet, friendly ram who loves to be petted and hand fed grass. I think he's a wee bit spoiled. :)

A sheep on the cliff.

The view of Loch Nell and Clan Cottages was amazing from the hill. From here it looks like a wee Celtic village from hundreds of years ago.

Heather

It was late September, my birthday actually, and the heather was still blooming.

Black-faced sheep

The beautiful black-faced sheep didn't know what to think of us. Were we a threat or not? They hung back at a distance and watched warily.

During a bad storm the water of the loch grew choppy.

Red deer beside the road leading to Loch Nell.

Loch Nell in the evening.

Wildflowers, including thistles, growing near the loch.

During another stay, during July at sunset, we took walks along the small road which follows the loch. Lots of wildflowers and sheep to photograph.

A wee Roe deer.

Walking in the opposite direction, we saw a Roe deer and a beautiful old bridge. It is so peaceful out here in the Scottish countryside. There's hardly any traffic on the road. Yet it is convenient in that we're only a few miles from town and shops and restaurants. Oban has a ferry terminal where you can take ferries out to some of the western islands such as Mull, Iona, Barra, Staffa, etc. Within an easy drive (or ferry ride) from Oban you will find many historic and prehistoric sites such as Dunstaffnage Castle, Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray Castle, Duart Castle, Kilmartin Glen, Iona Abby, Dunnollie Castle and others. This is an ideal place to stay for a week (or longer.) :)

A wonderful place for a walk in the evening.

Rainbow above Clan Cottages.

Sunset

Thanks so much for visiting the Kilmore area with me! Hope you enjoyed our little walk. :)

Chief Torrin MacLeod vows to possess and wed the spirited lady who stole his heart the previous winter. But Lady Jessie MacKay wants naught to do with the dangerous warrior, no matter how devilishly handsome and charming he is. When Torrin arrives unexpectedly at Jessie's home, along with Gregor MacBain, a man Jessie was formerly handfasted to, she is thrown off-kilter. She never wanted to see either man again, but now they are vying for her hand. Torrin promises to protect her from the devious MacBain, but how can she trust Torrin when she has witnessed how lethal he is?

The more time Torrin spends with the strong and independent Jessie, the more determined he is to win her heart. Once she allows him a kiss, he feels her passion flame as hot as his own. After she knows Torrin better, Jessie finds herself falling for the fearsome Highlander. But the odds are stacked against them. The sinister MacBain is bent on kidnapping Jessie, making her his bride and killing Torrin, while Jessie's conniving younger brother, Haldane, is determined to use Jessie to take over the castle in his older brother's absence. Jessie fears she can never be with the man she loves, while Torrin will do everything in his power to ensure they are together forever. In his heart, she is the only lady for him.