Round Ardlamont

on Jul 29, 2018

Ardlamont, that point that marks where the Kyles of Bute meets lower Loch Fyne and the Kilbrannan Sound has a reputation for stormy passages and strong currents. The picture above shows Arran from Ardlamont and the beauty of the vista is a further notable feature of the landscape. Ardlamont never did have a pier, Ardlamont House, the most important in the area, was conveniently served by Kames or Tighnabruaich. Ardlamont House itself was built around 1820 and was the home of Major General John Lamont. Its major claim to fame, however, came much later in 1893 when it was the scene of a celebrated murder on August 10th of that year. The trial took place in the High Court in Edinburgh before the Lord Justice-Clerk in December and lasted ten days. The prosecution was led by the Solicitor-General, Mr Alexander Asher, and the defence by the notable advocate, John Comrie Thomson. The Scotsman...

The Latter Years of Iona

on Jun 13, 2017

In the previous article on MacBrayne’s Iona from May 31, 2017, the story left off when Iona had been displaced from the Ardrishaig mail service by Columba and sent to work out of Oban to serve the anticipated increase in traffic when the railway reached the town in 1880. The arrival of the Grenadier allowed Iona to return to the Clyde in 1886 where she provided a second service on the Ardrishaig mail run. Based overnight at Ardrishaig, she sailed for Greenock and the Broomielaw at 5:45 in the morning, making the usual calls at Tarbert, Tighnabruich, Colintraive, Rothesay, Innellan, Dunoon, and Greenock. She made her run from the Broomielaw, leaving at 1:30, and returning to Ardrishaig by the same route. Iona canting at the Broomielaw with Daniel Adamson and Benmore (Annan) Iona and Strathmore at the Broomielaw awaiting the 1:30 departure Iona and Strathmore at the Broomielaw...