Barbara J. Hamby

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Bonny Banks of Loch Lomond

Many years ago I saw an excellent stage production of Brigadoon. I bought the album of the songs and sang and hummed them for months. It was long enough ago that the album was on a record. It never occurred to me that I might actually get to Scotland someday.

Someday was in August, 2005.

In the early morning hours on Saturday August 27th, Golden Princess entered the Firth of Clyde and, with the pilot on board, transited another 22 nautical miles to her berth in the small Scottish town of Greenock. (Near Glasgow).

We decided to take a tour bus on a trip titled “Panoramic Scottish Lochs,” that included Loch Lomond. The bus ride was delightfully reminiscent of all the tales of mists in the gloaming and heather on the hills. Distant views of Glasgow here and there paled in comparison to the green, gorgeous highlands and lowlands. I was so imbued with the aura of Brigadoon that I could almost see the dancers leaping on the hills.

The village of Luss sits on the West shore of Loch Lomond, Scotland’s largest lake. The bus inched past some cottages with yards covered in colorful blossoms. After the bus was parked, we walked several blocks past more of the little dwellings, yards lavishly splashed with all the colors of the rainbow. The displays looked like the results of a contest to see who could raise the most elaborate flowerbeds.

After the shopping and photo opportunities in Luss, we got back on the bus and drove along the lake, past several other “lochs,” to Hunters Quay where we took a ferry across the River Clyde and rode back to Greenock.

Back on the ship, after lunch, Al went for a walk in Greenock. He asked for directions to a pub and he was directed to the “Hole in the Wa’,” that turned out to be closed and locked. He tried a second pub that wouldn’t take American money or a credit card. Finally, he was sent to Morgan’s Restaurant and Bar. He offered his credit card and ordered a pint. His advice now to anyone who might get thirsty in Greenock, Scotland: be prepared to pay $4.35.

After a swim and a nap, I went to hear a soprano soloist in the evening, but couldn’t last for the whole show. Al fell asleep in the movie, “Herbie.”

Sometime after midnight, Golden Princess retraced the route through the Firth of Clyde and set Northwesterly courses through the North Channel.