The Adventure Beings

Day One: Mr. and Mrs. Adventure set out to parts unknown, to investigate the myths and mysteries of two of Scotland's Western Isles: Mull and Iona. Armed with a car, two bicycles, four feet, and a picnic bag of fruit and other provisions, our adventurers set off to encounter home-cooked food, warm B&Bs, two separate ferry journeys, whisky, wildlife, picturesque landscapes and hypnoitizing waters. What more could they find?

The road ahead

A quick stop at Auchentoshan

Mrs. Adventure finds the liquid in question

The way darkens...

... then reveals its light

The long first day closes

Journeys to the Ends of Mull

Day Two: With detailed maps consulted, our adventurers set out from the mainland at Oban to reach the Isle of Mull. Heading north to Tobermorary, they got the story. Then it was due south and west, to the other end of Mull, to settle for the night before investigating their new surroundings.

Detailed map

Some signs encouraged the adventuring drivers...

... others did not.

Farewell Oban...

... hello, Balamory, er, Tobermory

Stops along the way

Mrs. Adventure qustions a rock...

... causing him to crack under the pressure

Part I: The Magical Island of Staffa

Day Three: The day began with our adventurers embarking upon a sea-farring journey to the magical island of Staffa. The subject of great legend, Staffa is said to be home to the Scottish giant Fingal, whose cave of oddly-shaped stone leads under water to the Giants' Causeway of Northern Ireland.

A watery waltz

Detailed maps are key

Some came to warn us...

... others to guide us on our way

Staffa

Scaling the coast, toward the caves

Fingal's Cave

Deep Blue

'OK, I need more Miami, and less Vice'

Mrs. Adventure at 4 yrs. old

Wind-swept departure

Part II: Have bike, will travel

In the afternoon our adventurers returned to land and, carefully utilizing a technique learned through years of training, cycled around the coast.

Open sesame

New friends

Feet for wheels

Keeping the sun at bay

The Sacred Island of Iona

Day four: Our adventurers were told of a mysterious and spiritual place where, for centuries, many have come. To encounter this sacred isle, they crossed waters of blue and green, traversed sands of white, and climbed hills of dark and purple hues. Clear skies and soothing waters portended the spirit of the day.

The Abbey

Trinity

Praying for peace

From the baptistry

The Maclean Cross

Sacred space

Sacred space extended...

Before the ending of the day...

The Adventure Ends

Day Five: With only hours to spare on their final day, after driving to meet the ferry back to Oban, our adventurers took to roads less travelled and discovered even more quiet riches.

Duart Castle, of Clan Maclean

Memorial on an estate

The pictures take themselves

Up close

The Players

Mr. and Mrs. Adventure will not rest, until all relevant information about the Isles of Scotland has been gathered and processed. They will sacrifice themselves by continuing to test traditionally prepared organic food, keeping up with an ever-growing number of whiskies, and maintaining a vigorous schedule of topographical surveying. Fear not, for Mr. and Mrs. Adventure are on the case.

Mrs. Adventure

Wishing on the Wishing Seat

With her thinking cap on

Wading into the unknown

On the case