View from Islay's South Coast, near Lagavulin

Lagavulin Bay glimmers behind its namesake distillery, one of three titans along Islay’s whisky coast. I have the urge to curl up in the bushes while the waves gently slosh upon the rocks and listen to the wind speak the passing time. The rich, sherried whisky of Lagavulin tingles on my tongue and evokes leather armchairs, dusty libraries, and Cuban cigars. It is another moment when Scotland overloads my senses and recalibrates my sensibilities. There are literally castles in the sky here. What life have I been living?

The background of the world is all blue – rippling cobalt, misty periwinkle, and flat cerulean – yet everything I can touch is green. Whisky works its alchemy upon my vision as I stand looking across the bay to distant Kintyre. After days of impenetrable fog and besotted confusion, the sun reminds me this island is part of our world. Or is it? Every bend in the road leads to scenes where wind-blown boats bob in the waves and romantic ruins molder on hilltops. The sunshine brings into perception a chill heat, the feeling of both extremes at once, balanced in between, and I can’t bring myself to move until the shade passes over me.

Article Comments

  1. Linda March 15, 2013 at 5:21 am

    It occures to me that I don’t comment nearly enough on your posts. I await them eagerly. I savor them. I love the photos and the words equally. So much so that I almost take them for granted. You have become a part of the rhythm of my life, and I don’t show my appreciation as I should, not for reasons that are anything to do with blogging, but because you bring beauty into my life. Thank you.

    1. Keith Savage March 15, 2013 at 8:03 am

      Hi Linda, I appreciate this comment so much, especially coming, as it does, on a Picture This post. The truth is that I don’t know how well received they are (analytics can only say so much), but I’ve continued to write them because *I* like them. I’m glad you do, too. Thank you so much for the gracious words!

  2. CHIP March 15, 2013 at 2:03 pm

    I agree with Linda. In fact, I think I will sit down with this on the screen tonight after the Big East games and have a dram of Balvenie, just to fully appreciate it/them!

    1. Keith Savage March 15, 2013 at 2:38 pm

      Another feel-good comment! Thanks Chip. That does sound like a nice way to wind down after a long week. Enjoy the Balvenie – one of my favorites!

  3. James Parker March 16, 2013 at 6:35 am

    Now that’s what I call a blue sky. What a beautiful scene.

  4. Gayla~ March 22, 2013 at 5:21 am

    Another beautiful visual! And, the photograph is lovely, too. I think I may want to imbibe in a dram, as well, if it helps to conjure such colorful imagery 🙂

    1. Keith Savage March 22, 2013 at 8:10 am

      I can’t promise drams will lead to such imagery, but they certainly lead to happiness. 🙂

  5. Marysia @ My Travel Affairs January 2, 2014 at 6:48 pm

    Truly superb!

Leave Me A Comment

Scotland's Calling!

Subscribe and confirm your subscription to receive my posts via e-mail.
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.