Friday, 23rd August: Sailing to Skye We had two plans for today.  One was to start early and sail up the west coast of Skye to reach the northern lochs.  With good southerlies, this would be a full-on, whole day sail.  So we got up in good time, Dominic measured the constant wind in our … Continue reading A Hint of Skye →

Wednesday, 14th August: travelling to Oban It was a long journey back after our two weeks at home.  Our pre-booked taxi didn't turn up, but we caught our train to Euston thanks to our lovely neighbour Gee who stepped in and drove us to the station.  We had tickets booked on the Virgin train to … Continue reading We are sailing, We are sailing… →

"In Loch Linnhe one is not at sea at all. Surrounded by great hills, green valleys, and pleasant woodlands, the loch is more of the land than of the sea. Not the ocean, but the bens are masters here."           John McLintock 1938 Monday, 22nd July: Sailing to Port Ramsay, Lismore Island … Continue reading Loch Linnhe →

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 →