Friday, 19th July: Canna We tacked down the Sound of Sleat, in search of sun, heading for Canna, the westernmost of the Small Isles.  We've heard from various sources that islands like Tiree and Canna, with the full force of the Atlantic on their western side, are in fact surprisingly sunny.  We've come to check … Continue reading Isle of Canna and Tobermory (again) →

Sunday, 14th July: Inverie, Loch Nevis We left Mallaig midday, and had a very slow waft of a sail up the Sound of Sleat, and in to Loch Nevis.  It’s a hot and sunny day, and we are in shorts and t-shirts.  How wonderful!  We’re heading for Inverie, a small village at the head of … Continue reading The Sound of Sleat →

Monday, 8th July: Sailing to the Small Isles Today started very nicely.  We sailed along the Ardmeanach peninsula watching where we walked yesterday and remembering what we had enjoyed.  We timed the sail, and it took 40 minutes to sail in modest winds, what we walked in about 2.5 hours.  Dominic commented on how it’s … Continue reading Isle of Rum →

Saturday, 6th July: Gometra After Ulva, we had intended to go straight to Iona, but we were told that Gometra and its anchorage right next to Ulva is not to be missed, so we changed our plans.  We were intrigued by Gometra, which has only a handful of habitable houses.  Their website states: 'We are … Continue reading Gometra and Loch Scridain →

Wednesday, 3rd July: Treshnish Islands and Staffa A day of an enormous amount of impressions!  We set off just after 10am sailing in mist and greyness.  It was very cold!  We turned west, tacking up towards Ardnamurchan Point.  This is the end of the area for the Maritime Safety Information that we’ve been listening to … Continue reading Treshnish Isles, Staffa and Ulva →

Monday, 1st and Tuesday, 2nd July: Tobermory We had a short and snappy sail on Monday over the Sound of Mull to Tobermory. Stats: distance 6.12M, underway 53 mins, average speed 6.9 kts, max speed 9.3 kts. This is the place that features in colour on so many guide books of the area, and it … Continue reading Tobermory – Isle of Mull →

Saturday, 29th June: Loch Spelve and Loch Aline We had a lovely sail yesterday from Eileach an Naoimh across the Firth of Lorn.  Have a look! Sailing to Mull When we arrived at Mull we went deep into Loch Spelve, past numerous marine farms and anchored near Ardura. After settling in we started to plan our … Continue reading Lock Spelve, Loch Aline and Loch Drambuie →

Thursday, 27th June: Loch Craignish We anchored last night by Eilean Nan Gabhar or Island of the Goats in Loch Craignish.  We woke very early this morning, and were treated to a most wonderful sunrise.  It had been a completely peaceful and quiet night. It's hard to describe just how beautiful this place with its verdant … Continue reading Loch Craignish and Eileach an Naiomh →

Wednesday, 26th June: Crinan Canal  The Crinan Canal takes you from Loch Gilp, in the lower reaches of Loch Fyne in the Firth of Clyde through the Kintyre peninsula to Crinan Bay at the top of the Sound of Jura.  The Crinan Canal Company was formed in 1793.  It took many years to build the … Continue reading Crinan Canal – Ardrishaig to Crinan →

Thursday, 20th June: A Working Day in Ardrossan We popped over to Ardrossan this morning.  Jib only, downwind the whole way.  Got rained on.  Pretty unremarkable sail! Stats: distance 13.1M, underway 2hrs 20m, average speed 5.6 kts, max speed 8.3 kts An afternoon of jobs: laundry, food shop, petrol for RIB, gas for cooking, picked … Continue reading Ardrossan and Bute →