Scottish Garden Welcomes Spring with Showy Blooms
Day 116, Grand World Voyage
Saturday, April 29, 2023; Oban, Scotland, U.K.
Our amazing weather luck continues to hold. Once again, the forecast was for possible rain in Oban, Scotland, and once again we had no rain.
Oban is a resort town on the west coast of Scotland. Its most distinctive feature is McCraig’s Tower, which sits on a hill overlooking the round harbor. John Stuart McCraig started its construction in 1897, in part to provide work for stonemasons. But after his death, his heirs successfully challenged his will that left money for the tower’s completion, so it looks somewhat like a small coliseum towering over the town.
Scotch whiskey distilleries dot this part of Scotland, and there is at least one in town you can tour. There are whiskey stores everywhere in along the main tourist drag.
After tendering in from the anchored ship, my sisters and I immediately boarded our bus for a 45-minute drive south to the Arduaine Gardens, one of only two shore excursions offered. (The other was north to Inveraray Castle.)
I was pleasantly surprised that there was anything blooming. Indeed, it is early in the season, but the rhododendrons were spectacular.
Harebells, waterlilies and other plants also were in bloom.
Ferns were abundant as well.
Not being a gardener, I really don’t know many of the plants, and the few labels in the gardens were hidden in the undergrowth. Regardless, I enjoyed the gravel paths that wended their way through the gently sloping hills down to the edge of Loch Melfort, and stopped for a photo with Jeri, my friend from many past cruises.
I warmed up in the hotel coffee shop with a flat white while waiting for the others to finish their tour.
Back on Oban, we heeded our tour guide’s advice and had a wonderful seafood soup, accompanied by a large bowl of mussels and local beers for lunch. I was so full that I skipped dinner – one of the few dressy nights – and got a chef in the Lido buffet to get me a bowl of Cheerios.
A couple of days ago, on Thursday, April 27, we celebrated the Dutch king’s birthday with an Orange Day party.
Most Holland America cruises have an orange party once a cruise on general principal of the line’s heritage. Last fall on the Westerdam it was after dinner in the Rolling Stone Lounge, with prizes for the best and most creative orange costumes. The ship sells boas, hats, ties and other orange accessories. Many repeat cruisers bring orange to wear. There’s always someone who wears their orange life jacket. Orange is not a good color for me, but I have a coral top that is close enough.
This was another opportunity for a fun party, and crew members joined us as well. I managed to bring together two friends – Ellen and Deb – who “met” online before the cruise but not in person yet. As Ellen was wearing an orange wig, they may never recognize each other again.
Thanks for the update. Leaving for europe next week and this is a place we plan to visit.
Looks like a fun little city.
So surprised to see so many blooming flowers! Our rhododendrons never bloom before Mother’s Day altho’ our azaleas are now blooming – finally!! Our bleeding hearts are even later coming in. Beautiful photos, Jo! So glad you are now able to get around so well. And you look so happy – this lifestyle really suits you!
I’m surprised too that so much was blooming at the gardens! There’s an app called “Seek” you can get on your phone. Take a picture of the flower, plant, bird or bug and it will ID it for you. Of course, you need to be connected to the internet to use it but you can always do that once you get back onboard the ship.
Seeing the bleeding hearts makes me hope that you will be doing a painting of them….and, I’d REALLY love to see one of a “wooly coo” from Isle of Sky. Of course, since I’m so far behind, you may very well have done these already and I’ll see them as I catch up on the blog.
Linda R.