It seems a whole lifetime since we were last at Crinan. New Year 2019/20 to be exact, before we knew anything about Covid. Can you believe it? Only a few months later we were terrified, ‘Encouraged to stay at home and protect the NHS’. Well, the public enquiry now locked in combat with HMG’s government will, no doubt, find the truth about the utter shambolic and incompetent way in which Boris Johnson and his hand-picked a**e lickers, now so deserving of peerages, ‘guided’ this country through the pandemic. We ate Christmas lunch alone, whilst Johnson partied. One rule for him and one for the little people – his ‘subjects’. No doubt we’ll find out when the papers are finally released that not only did he recommend Nadine Dorries  for a peerage but probably his horse too. Or his cat. Or his gerbil. Whew…

This time we’re using it as a rather comfortable one night stop, en route from Skye to Islay. Who knew it was so far? – it’s all in Scotland after all. We were ‘upgraded’ to a room with a balcony, overlooking the last lock on the Crinan canal, as it whooshes boats out westward to sail around the islands. After mixed weather (it is Scotland…Ed) it is a lovely evening, just like the last half dozen – wet in the morning, and G&T weather in the evening. We eat in the bar, after a sneaky cocktail in our room, provided by Angel Dare. Bouillabaisse and halibut, a couple glasses of crisp Chinon, a lemon tart and a satisfyingly wobbly panna cotta. We strolled along the towpath, returning to find the Flying Dutchman, a rather lovely sailing yacht, moored up outside the canal basin. Tomorrow the ferry to Islay but tonight we enjoy Crinan, still waiting for the £10 million upgrade together with some hot water, but quite beautiful.

The Crinan Hotel and Seafood Bar

…beautiful boats

…canalside cottage

…the Flying Dutchman arrives