Perhaps a sign; perhaps serendipity. While on our short Cowal break we decided to drive down to Tighnabruaich for the view over the Kyles that you get from the main road into the village. We stopped and were greeted with this view. I have stood here many, many times taking in this vista, and every time it takes my breath away. I never tire of it. The sun rays are shining on Bute: the island upon which I grew up and which will always be home to me (I am and always will be a Brandane). We dragged ourselves away from this and headed down into the village before driving up past the shinty field to Kames and then on up the 'Black Road' past the old gunpowder factory and Millhouse, then onwards, up the single track road over the moor to Portavadie where we stopped and took an ill-advised hike to Glenan Bay, being forced to stop tantalisingly close to the beach because of our inappropriate footwear. Once back in the car and warmed up we continued on the single-track moor road past Kilfinan and on to Otter Ferry on the banks of Loch Fyne, where the sun was shining and the air was warmer. We strolled along the beach from the jetty to the sandbank after which the location is named (oitir is gaelic for sandbank), and which the brave and fleet of foot can walk the length of at low tide. I walked as far out as I could without getting my feet wet. We resisted the temptation to have lunch at the Oystercatcher and instead carried on up the Loch Fyne-side road to the Inver Cottage and Castle Lachlan, where we once again stopped to catch our breath. Our final stop was at Strachur where the disappointment of noting the mystical rowan tree had been cut down was almost made up for with a welcome coffee and tuna mayonnaise sandwich. We decided to cut through Hell's Glen to Glen Croe. It is a beautiful, if challenging, single-track road, and certainly more picturesque than its northern neighbour, Glen Kinglas. Our final route took us up Loch Lomond to Crianlarich and then on to the Falls of Dochart and Killin and along the north bank of Loch Tay to Aberfeldy and Dunkeld. From there it was only a short drive back through Coupar Angus to Dundee, Tesco and a Chinese take-away meal.