Western Isles June 2008

A short precis of last years Western Isles Cruise, just to get something into the the blog to get it off the ground.

We, Maggie and I, sailed on 8th June from Peel, first anchorage was Copeland Island just outside Belfast Lough. A very pleasant spot I've used several times now with an interesting mixture of small crofts and a couple of holiday homes.

On from there, a mixed crossing to Ardminish Bay on Gigha, some foul weather off the Mull of Kintyre found us getting to Gigha past sundown and glad for a rest.



Sunset at anchor just outside the sea loch at Crinan after a pleasant day sail up from Gigha.






Anchorage 12.06.08. Puilladobhrain, the 'Pool of the Otters'. Unfortunately no otters seen. They have, apparently, beem scared off by the many visiting yachts. However, on our way to the pub at the 'Bridge over the Atlantic' it was rabbit land, hundreds of them in the fields. One of my favourite anchorages in the W Isles, so we stayed two nights. Then on towards Tobermory, first stopping for a night in Lochaline, then three nights in Tobermory.


With settled weather the decision was made to head back south around the west side of Mull, with our first homebound anchorage at Gometra on the Southwest tip of Mull, that's the picture in the title bar.

Next day a wonderful passage heading close in to Staffa Is. Very impressive, unfortunately not enough time to stop. Another time.

Penultimate anchorage was inside Loch Tarbert on the desolate West side of Jura. The postglacial raised beaches are awe inspiring, but the weather was foul and we opted out of getting ashore to explore them. Again, there will be another time!
Finally back to Ardminish Bay and home to the Isle of Man, via Belfast Loch on 21st June.
My apologies for a short and bland account of that cruise, it was a while ago and as I said its really to get some 'body' into the blog before it 'goes live'.