Today is our paper anniversary so we thought we would let the Cal Mac Ferries take some of the strain.

We started the day with a leisurely breakfast before cycling 5 minutes from the hotel to the ferry terminal for the 9:45am to Brodd*** on the isle of Arran.

The day had started cloudy but as we stood on deck patches of sunlight broke through the cloud, highlighting some the mountains and forests of "Little Scotland" across the water.

The cycling was beautiful, following the coast around the island before climbing into a Glen following a a stream and a staircase of waterfalls. At the top of the long climb we were rewarded with our down hill (it's the cycle of life). It took us down the other side of the valley to Lochranza and our ferry back the mainland at Claonaig.

We bought lunch and had a look around Lochranza Castle while we waited for the ferry to arrive.

Once back on the mainland we joined a singletrack road which climbed over the hills through the Heather to take us to the edge of Loch Fyne. The road was undulating and fast and we made good time to our lunch stop... Inside a very timely bus shelter next to the road while a heavy shower blew over.

We donned our waterproofs and set off again. Within 30 minutes or so the rain returned and began soaking us, after an hour and a half of cycling we decided we had had enough and pulled into the next hotel we came to. Luckily for us, the Loch Melfort Hotel had one double room left, very friendly staff (and owner) and was set in a beautiful location. They also served real ale and provided an all you can eat fresh fish buffet, which was mostly caught in the loch outside.

It was our best anniversary ever!