AT LONG LAST, we managed to venture aff island for our first proper adventure in Carrie the Campervan.

The intention was to head doon tae Oban as Allan Martin, who we ken fae his excellent iScot short stories, was launching his new book, The Dead of Oban.

However, as we’ve not really been using the van, come setting off time, the good folks of Skye must have thought the Vatican had relocated tae Portree, and swiftly announced the confirmation of a new Pope.

The air was swamped by copious quantities of white smoke, enough tae camouflage a squadron of battle tanks, and aff we toodled.

Thankfully, after a mere half mile, the offending fumes cleared...and we were on or way.

Dad, I must admit was a wee tad nervy as the van is a tad longer and wider than he’s used to, as the trolley station at the Co-op car park can testify tae.