Scotland 2019 part 2 ~ The Shore

Within my family “The Shore” as it was sometimes referred to is Blairmore. It is a very small village located on the Cowal Peninsula within the boundaries of Argyll and Bute and lies in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park.

It has been home to some of my father’s family since before WWI. My great grandparents Hugh Wright (3 June 1859 ~ 23 June 1953) and Janet Strath (8 November 1964 ~ 3 August 1937), originally moved there and bought a house named Gowan Brae which looked onto the marvellous views of Loch Long and the Firth of Clyde. Soon they were followed to Blairmore by one of their daughter Janet Strath Wright.

We spent a few great days there, sharing our time with three of my dad’s cousins, May 85, Jenny 89 and Jean 99. It was a joy to be in their company listening to their stories about my great-grandparents and recollections of life on the shore from decades in the past.

We spent most of our time at May’s house which like Gowan Brae has magnificent views from a large front window of Loch Long and the Firth of Clyde. We saw Royal Navy ships, including submarine trials and also MS Queen Elizabeth the cruise ship of the Vista class operated by the Cunard Line, which was docked at Greenock before sailing to Dublin.

Going to Blairmore, we took the Western Ferry “Sound of Scarba” over to Dunoon. Coming back we drove the scenic route over land via The Rest and Be Thankful, Arrochar (Loch Long) , Loch Lomond (Luss) and on into Glasgow.

The Rest and Be Thankful is a pass on the A83 and is just over 800ft above sea level which divides Glen Kinglas from Glen Croe. On top is a viewpoint with beautiful views in Glen Croe where you can clearly see the old valley road which was engineered by General Wade during the subjection of Scotland following the Jacobite rebellion. A stone can be seen, which was erected to commemorate the completion of this military road in 1750. The new road (A83) is often subjected to landslides during heavy rains, resulting in lengthy detours.

“Sound of Scarba” heading to Dunoon from Gourock

My great grandparents house "Gowan Brae", now known as "The Wheelhouse"

Blairmore Library

Ardentinny located 4 miles along the shore from Blairmore ~ 

A heilin Coo, or for the uneducated ~ Highland Cattle

The Rest and Be Thankful ~ 

The Cobbler at Arrochar ~ 

The village of Luss and Ben Lomond at Loch Lomond ~ 

Next ~ Scotland 2019 part 3 ~ "A day in Edinburgh"