I was joined for Part 2 of my Scottish Odyssey by James Lehmann, self-proclaimed Head of the Militant Wing of the Crinan Harbour Association Members and Mariners, and the host of Mheall Cottage.
First up, the biggest and most famous critter of them all - the Loch Ness Monster. I’m calling bullshit, I’m afraid. Such well-marinated wagyu on offer and not so much as a ripple on the pond.
Critters that were spotted include highland cows, deer, lambs, buzzards, mackerel, and a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (an introduced species).
In this part of the country many fields are being returned to peat bogs. This involves clearing Norwegian pine forests that were planted after the war. Everywhere, tree stumps and piles of cut timber are slowly sinking into the bog while native species spring up in their place.
This corrects many decades of mismanagement born of necessity. The natural woodlands were cleared to grow crops to feed the British population when German uboats were squeezing international supply chains and food was scarce. After the war it seemed to make sense to replant the woodlands with a fast growing timber, hence the choice of Norwegian pine species. Not the best choice for the land and the local critters.
The mackerel were running and we caught some using traditional string lines and lures. From sea to plate in under 2 hours - delicious.
Where I slept: Mheall Cottage (Loch Gilphead): Beautiful location near Crinan, great walks and neolithic sites to explore nearby, and the host has a Canadian Toller who loves to be involved in whatever is going on.
Where I ate: Crinan Hotel (Aberdeen) Fresh local seafood in.
