I was back at Oban station in good time for the first departure of the day towards Glasgow. Although the train was in the platform access was blocked by a gate so there was quite a number of people hanging around waiting to be allowed to board.

By the time we departed there were almost no free seats on the train. The weather was quite grey so the usual stunning views on this journey were somewhat muted.

I left the train at Partick, having decided that I wanted to explore a different route into Glasgow. I called at the station ticket office, showed them my Scotrail pass and was handed a day pass for use on the iconic Subway, a 6½ mile line, which runs in a circle around the west side of the city. It’s the third oldest underground metro system in the world (after London and Budapest) and somewhat improbably it has never been extended though even in recent years there has been talk of doing this.

My first observation was that it is tiny. I could only just stand up straight in the carriage, but fortunately it wasn’t too busy so I could sit down. I found it rather fun and the west side of Glasgow is well worth exploring so I’ll come back and spend a day here some time.

Having reached Buchannan Street, I left the subway and walked the short distance to Queen Street station, where I caught the next train to Edinburgh. Swapping trains at Haymarket, I did the last mile into Waverley behind the oldest HST still in use, 43003, not doing too badly at 48 years of age, with carriages a LOT more comfortable than what came later.

Leaving the station, I wanted to explore the other end of the Edinburgh tram network, having done the western end earlier in the week. It was busy and I was standing, so difficult to take photos but the route down to the Port of Leith is certainly interesting and it would be nice to have the time to explore it more.

The line stops quite abruptly at the side of a road, but it looks like the intention is to extend it at some point. Rather than visiting the Ocean Terminal shopping centre, home to former Royal Yacht Britannia, I took the short walk down to the Fishmarket at Newhaven Harbour.

I’d not really got plan for the rest of the day, so stopped for a cuppa and contemplated how I might spend my last night away. I’m always drawn to the Clyde estuary, and to the Isle of Bute in particular and checking timetables this was still feasible, despite it already being mid-afternoon.

I found what looked like a very nice hotel for the night, at a very reasonable price and set off once more. Changing this time at Glasgow Central, I headed for possibly my favourite station of all, Wemyss Bay. The station has a very active friends group and they keep the place immaculate.

I visited the CalMac office to book my ferry ticket, then there was time for a drink in the station bar, a lovely little place with predictably friendly staff.

By now it was almost 8pm, and the slowly fading light and a perfectly calm sea made for lovely photos.

I first visited the Isle of Bute about a decade ago and immediately fell for the place. The ferry lands in Rothesay, the only town of any size on the island, and my hotel was a short walk from the port, past a mixture of rather lovely buildings in varying states of (dis)repair.

Rothesay was once a very grand destination and my hotel demonstrated that all too clearly. I’m sure that at some point it was very exclusive and expensive, but these days, whilst it is still very well looked after, it’s a lot cheaper than any of the big brand hotel chains. A treat and a bargain in one!

My room had great views out to sea but having dropped my bags I couldn’t resist sitting out on the terrace with a drink from the bar. It rained for a while but I was under cover so it didn’t matter. I eventually retired to my room and sat on the bed looking out of the window for a while. The last picture of this set was taken after 11pm, but it was still nowhere near dark.