In 1979 we stayed in a caravan belonging to the MacKenzies opposite Coldstream and fell for the charm, peace and wonderful views of Swordle.
From 1980 to 85 our summer holidays were spent in the middle one of three caravans down in the field by Swordle Bay. Our sons loved helping with the hay-making on the farm - they were used to helping farmer friends at home - fishing with a newly-made friend from Northumberland who had a dinghy, and digging in the sands of Sanna. Friends had retired to Camas Inas and mackerel fishing on Loch Sunart with Dick was another great delight for teenage sons.
Alasdair and Elspeth MacKenzie then installed a new chalet up opposite Coldstream as their new Bay House was built, and for three years we watched the sun set over the islands - when the weather wasn't doing its frequent August 'showers' - exploring the peninsula, visiting Tobermory. Wonderful times, wonderful memories to treasure for ever.
What fun, too, going to ceilidhs at the old village hall. Tim had the honour of playing the accordion with Eddie Rose at one of the ceilidhs, and of course we went to the Sonachan and got home very late. Tim still plays in a ceilidh band in Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, but not as many folk know how to Strip the Willow like they did in Kilchoan!
Many thanks to Maggie for pictures and story.
Really enjoyed that post. Amazing to think that long ago there was a time when teenage boys went on holiday without internet/mobile phones.
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