Oban, Scotland. 4 September 1986

Left [Inverary] at 10 heading down Loch Fyne instead of the more direct route to Oban. Picked up by an old fisherman “London Bill” whose been driving to Scotland for 40 years. Non-stop for 14 hours, in the old days with bad roads it took him 24 hours (he maintains a steady 40mph). Not many fish around these days apparently but he still comes up yearly. Dropped me at the Oban turn-off.

A lorry driver took me 10 miles. He didn’t like the look of my pack’s weight. Funnily enough I sprained a back muscle heaving it into the cab. Wasn’t gonna tell him that tho’.

Then a terrible driver Volvo-ed me to the outskirts of Oban. Walked through town surprised at how large it was. A ferry terminus for Mull. Watched fishermen unloading prawns. Saw a seal bobbing its head up. To the youth hostel on the seafront for a 2pm opening.

Walked around town. Very windy, grey. Up to McCraig Castle to see ferries dock and depart.