Sunday Times Where Was I? Holiday Competition

Near as I can figure it, through the possibly flawed perceptual filters of my own reality tunnel, the most likely answers this week, seem to me to be:


Q1. Islay

Q2. Loch Indaal


The initial clues seem to place us next to the ruins of Dunyvaig castle (built c 12th century), on a promontory on the western side of Lagavulin bay, on the beautiful island of Islay (approx 61956 Ha or 153096 acres according to some sources), where some of the best whisky in the world is made (while the Eastender undoubtedly favours Lagavulin, his favourites are Bowmore, Ardbeg and Smokehead). Lagavulin bay has a genius loci who looks after the place and the otters that swim there and it is this benign presence, which is also responsible for the gentle zephyrs that carry the iodine rich air, emanating from the seaweed, into the maturation barrels in the nearby Lagavulin distillery and which give that marvelous elixir its own unique flavour. The most likely candidate for richest commoner of the nineteenth century, is one James Morrison (born c 1789). Morrison was a merchant, politician and art collector according to some of his biographies, which say he owned Islay estate but not the whole island.A unitary authority which is responsible for around three thousand miles of coastline, is probably Argyll and Bute district council.

Travelling a mile or so south west from Lagavulin, would bring us to the island of Texa (approx 48Ha or 119 acres). The OS map shows a chapel on the island. Taking the road to the west from the castle, would carry us across the Kilbride river and through the hamlet of Laphroaig. You can buy a very small piece of the land at the distillery there (they give you a certificate) and as an owner, this entitles you to a dram when you go to visit the place.

Continuing west from Laphroaig, would bring us to Port Ellen and the square lighthouse of Carraig Fhada, which legend has it, was built by Walter Frederick Campbell, in memory of his wife, Lady Campbell. Motoring north north west along the road from Port Ellen takes us past Islay airport (built c 1940 to defend the western isles and to provide a landing strip for long range reconnaissance aircraft) and thence past a nature reserve called Eilean Na Muice Dubhe (not sure if this is the one that was delisted c 2010) and across the rivers Duice and Laggan, to Bowmore.

Bowmore sits next to a broad sea inlet called Loch Indaal. Voyaging four miles across the water from Bowmore, would bring us into the vicinity of a dorp called Kilchiaran, on the Rhinns of Islay. Kilchiaran or Cill Chiaran, means St Kieran's church. St Kieran was born c 512 in Connacht in Ireland and his feast day is September 9th. There does seem to be a ruined church in the vicinity.