Campbeltown

I have just come back from holiday in Campbeltown.

The weather wasn't all that bad, it did rain from time to time and on my last night it was heavy.
I didn't do a lot when I was away but the time did go so quick. One of the days I went a trek up Ben Galen.
I always did like a walk but the worst things about a walk are that they always show you how unfit you really are.

I also got a tour around Campbeltown 'International' airport in Machrihanish. It used to be an American airbase a few years ago.

Its runway is 3049 m long and The United States maintained a Navy SEAL commando unit, a 20 person team known as Naval Special Warfare Detachment 1 at the base and the Royal Marines occasionally use the facility for training exercises. The civilian airport is located at the opposite end of the base from the hangars, bunkers and the SEAL building.

During the Cold War, Machrihanish was an important NATO airfield. An answer to the House of Commons in 2004 reveals that the base was handed over by the United States Navy back to Ministry of Defence control on June 30, 1995.

During 1991 rumours circulated that the base was being used by the allegedly top secret United States Hypersonic aurora_aircraft.

The base is now on what is termed "care and maintenance" — this allows the airfield to be used by civilian airlines, which may conduct scheduled and charter flights from the aerodrome.

The MOD are responsible for the upkeep of the aerodrome, which may sometimes be used by military detachment whilst on exercise. During times of conflict or national emergency, the aerodrome could revert to its intended military use. In 2005 the MOD was still reported to be considering reactivating the base.

Just next to the airport they are building a new golf course.

Campbeltown is not a big place. Apart from the main town centre they have houses dotted all over the landscape with lots of farms and farm houses.

One thing I did notice they have more then anything is pubs.

The main town areas have a few inns but the rests of the drinking establishments are made up of hotels.

I believe there are about 13 in not to far a walking distance.

I stayed with relations who over look the port. It is busy with boats and people all day long. I did notice people in their cars driving down to the front on lunch breaks sitting in cars eating their sandwiches and drinking from flasks looking at the ocean. You can’t beat that.

I have only ever been to Campbeltown once and I wasn’t there very long. That was by car last time and this time I took the bus.

My ticket said: Return, Glasgow Buchanan bus station to Campbeltown bus station. I presumed that Campbeltown bus station wouldn’t be that big but it would be a bus station I got a fright when we arrive at Campbeltown and stopped at a bus shelter that this was in fact the ‘bus station’ ha ha. I only got of because I saw my uncle waiting.