Day 38

Left the buoy at Plockton at 5:55 am. On a run from Plockton. Then Force 3 to force 5 up to the Crolin Islands. Then the wind dropped to N to NW 1. Then Easterly F4/5, tacking into Loch Torridon with 2 reefs in.  So we had all points of sailing - run, beam reach and on the nose.  Tried 2 anchorages in Loch Torridon where it was blowing hard from the East and raining hard.  One bay had buoys fencing it off and the other was shelving and not sheltered.  Missed the submarine exercises and underwater missile testing en route.  Swooped by a great skua.  Decided to carry on to Badachro in Loch Gairloch.  Finally spotted the red buoy marking the entrance to the sheltered bay.  Picked up a new blue visitor mooring buoy with green pickup.  A welcome message and how to pay the £15 per night printed on it. 

Arrived 15:10. The trip was 46 miles.

A beautiful spot, with sunset.  Didn't get a chance to go ashore to the pub.

After checking the weather forecasts we have decided to go to Stornaway tomorrow  rather than get stuck in Plockton on a buoy.

Day 37

Slipped Mallaig at 5: 40. Cloudy. Sailed when wind allowed. In the Kyle Rhea by 8. This is the narrow point between Skye and the mainland. Through by 9. Accelerated from 5 knots to 9 in a few seconds. Water swirling with flat eddies. Calmer out in Kyle of Loch Alsh.

Went under the Skye bridge. Sailed into Loch Carron heading for Plockton via High Stone beacon and avoiding Hawk rock. Picked up a visitor mooring buoy at 11:20. Dingy over to Plockton in the afternoon but all pubs closed due to a funeral. Plockton is a charming gentile Highland village. Fuchsia hedges and well tended gardens facing the water.

Day 36

Another beautiful morning. Off early. No wind but a wildlife cruise with lots of seals, small dolphins, puffins, terns and guillemots. Excellent views of Rhum, Eigg and Skye. Played get out of the way of a fishing trawler for a little while. Started to get busy with ferries on the approach to Mallaig. Traffic light system for entering the harbour which has a fishing fleet. They used to have up to 250 fishing boats in the harbour.

A busy little place compared to where we have been. Lots of tourists. A good marina.

Approaching the Bellows Rock

Playing avoid the trawler

Day 35

Only a partial track to our sandy anchorage behind Goat Island.

Slipped at 7:10. Beautiful still morning with crystal clear reflections. Motored out of Loch Sunart through the narrow 100 m channel behind the rocky island. As the Loch opened out, we could see Tobermory and the lighthouse again. Headed North towards the lighthouse at Ardnamurchan point. Sails were up giving us an extra knot of speed. Going out of the Sound, the wind got up to NNE 4 so we could sail at last - we sailed all the way to a sandy anchorage near the beach, for protection against the Northerlies. Excellent BLT on route & Nick cooked pasta with capers, lemon, spinach. And lardons in the evening. Forced to bask in the sun with a beer....

A quiet night...

Sailing Eigg and Rum

Approaching Ardnamurchan Point

Enjoying the evening sun

Anchorage

Day 34

Rest day here. Fabulous location. Hot shower, well stocked shop selling fresh sandwiches, provisions and delicious ice cream. Wall to wall sunshine and heat. Tea and toast on the deck for breakfast. Several local walks of which Paul did 4 and Nick and Chris did 1 down to the bay of flies which is a natural harbour which was used to export charcoal and for the Vikings to store their boats in the winter. Went to the Salen Hotel and ate magnificent rump steaks. Tomorrow continuing our way North round Ardnamurchan point, the most westerly part of the UK towards the Sound of Sleet. Rate this place 5*.

Salen Jetty pontoons

Bay of Flies Salen walk, low tide

Early morning view

Day 33

Awoke to warm sunshine and heat. 7 mins of hot shower. Chris & Nick walked out to the lighthouse and met Paul running it on the way back. 

Slipped at 13:00 hrs and headed off across the sound of Mull to Loch Sunart. Lots of nasty rocks both visible and underwater.  Very careful pilotage was required. 

We motored through glorious mountain scenery.  A friendly berth was reserved for us in Salen.  We arrived at 15:30.  Walking map, showers, WiFi and a tea shoppe all to hand.  Spending tomorrow here as there are walks for all energy levels.

Lighthouse walk from Tobermory

Rocks at the entrance of Loch Sunart

Head of Loch Sunart

Day 32

After a leisurely morning and early lunch the new crew set off at 13.00 for Tobermory.  Flat calm and sunshine, perfect for new crew members to get their sea legs.  

Ferries and yachts everywhere. Like the M25, unlike Ireland.  4 hours and 20 miles later found a berth in Tobermory.  Seals and a dolphin were spotted.  Fabulous reflections in Tobermory

Lighthouse at the entrance to the Sound of Mull

Tobermory reflections