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Washed east along the Ross of Mull

We decided to visit Iona for the day (it has to be done) but it all went a bit pear shaped, mainly because of the weather. We were rained on and bitten to the point where we decided to leave early. There was a bit of an exodus of tourists leaving the island, and progress down the A849 was hindered by some pretty severe flooding (the kind where you wonder when the car is going to start floating).

This was the context of our visit to three standing stones on the Ross of Mull, all within easy reach of the A849. I say 'we', but it was only really me doing the visiting. The others stayed dry in the car.

Fionnphort — Fieldnotes

04.08.05ce
Visited 11th August 2004: On our way back from Iona I persuade Louise that we should pop in and see a few standing stones. Fionnphort was the first we came to, and at the point when we arrived the rain was torrential.

What I should have done was ask at the house for permission to take some photos of the stone. Instead I wound the car window down and took some hurried photos from the relative dry of the driver's seat. Yes, I know, this is not in the spirit of things at all. The stone looks rather pleasant as a sort of garden feature. It's an elegant monolith.

Fionnphort — Images

29.07.05ce
<b>Fionnphort</b>Posted by Kammer

Tiraghoil — Fieldnotes

04.08.05ce
Visited 11th August 2004: Tiraghoil was the second stone we came to heading east. I left the others in the car (the rain had subsided a bit) and made my way to the stone. This is a large lump of rock, much bigger than Fionnphort. It has quite a presence to it. With the weather as it was the stone did a good job looking immoveable (sort of, "I ain't budging!"). The lichen hair might have been what suckered me into thinking of the stone as human.

Tiraghoil — Images

29.07.05ce
<b>Tiraghoil</b>Posted by Kammer<b>Tiraghoil</b>Posted by Kammer<b>Tiraghoil</b>Posted by Kammer

Taoslin — Fieldnotes

04.08.05ce
Visited 11th August 2004: Taoslin is accessible over a small stile. It's a hefty lump of rock, with large packing stones around the base of it. It's a lot smaller than Tiraghoil and far less elegant than Fionnphort. On my visit the hollow around the base of the stone was full of water, forming quite an aesthetically pleasing pond. The reflection of the stone in the water was great. I wonder whether Taoslin is the real deal though? Those packing stones can't be original. They're far too large, and inexpertly placed.

Taoslin — Images

29.07.05ce
<b>Taoslin</b>Posted by Kammer<b>Taoslin</b>Posted by Kammer
Kammer Posted by Kammer
4th August 2005ce
Edited 4th August 2005ce


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