So Near, So Far

For this grand tour, Paul Murton is travelling by puffer to explore a little-known string of islands just off the west coast near Oban. Paul's first landfall is the island of Kerrera, which Paul discovers played a hugely important role during the Second World War as a base for the RAF's Seaplan Squadron. It was from here that the enormous Sunderland seaplanes took off to give air cover to vulnerable convoys during the Battle of the Atlantic. Leaving Kerrera behind, Paul hops back to the mainland and heads by road to cross the famous 'Bridge over the Atlantic' to Seil Island and then by ferry onto Easdale. For nearly 200 years, Easdale and the neighbouring islands of Luing and Belnahua produced slate to help build Britain's empire. Tragically, a terrible storm in 1881 flooded the quarries with seawater and put an end to the slate industry here, but Paul discovers that Easdale itself remains little changed, with its whitewashed cottages and a vibrant, though small, community. Paul's last destination on this grand tour is Eileach an Naoimh, one of the Garvallach islands, and home to the oldest Christian burial site in Scotland, which is believed to be the final resting place of Saint Columba's mother.