Friday 25 May 2012

Jean Says: After an easy morning strolling around Oban and stocking up on food, we set off for Tobermory. In my mind, Tobermory was always going to be a significant destination, because originally it was to be the furthest point North for us before we turned back down towards Fort William, and The Caledonian Canal. We have been contemplating going round the very top of Scotland because the weather is so good, and we've slightly gone off canals for the moment. The route round the top leaves you very exposed to the elements and we've read that huge seas can build up very quickly. We would never risk going if the weather was anything but calm, but there's always going to be an element of doubt, and a certain amount of anxiety. In my mind, I was warming to the idea until I read the section on the Pentland Firth. Quote from the Reeds Almanac, " the Pentland Firth is a dangerous area for all craft...tidal streams reach 9-12 knots between Pentland Skerries and Duncansby Head. The resultant dangerous seas, very strong eddies and violent races should be avoided by yachts at all costs". After reading that, the decidedometer not surprisingly swung dramatically in the direction of not going. We also had a look on Marine Traffic and saw that there was no-one on AIS going through The Pentland Firth except a few cargo ships and a 53 metre galleon, and they were all of Swedish extraction anyway. Normal people do go round the top though, so we can only think that they go via the Orkneys, which have difficult and strong tides, but not unmanageable ones.

Our plan at the moment is to poke our heads out beyond the Sound of Mull, and sail around the small Isles and Skye. We'll possibly pay a quick visit to the Outer Hebrides, before heading back down via the Kyle of Lochalsh to Fort William. It's definitely worth spending as much time as we can in this amazing archipelago while the sun is still shining, as it's probably quite rare to be so blessed with good weather here.
Tobermory is very charming with its colourfully painted houses, but it's completely geared up for tourists. Although it seems lovely to us in the middle of May, I don't think we would like it at the height of summer, but then that applies to most places. From our mooring buoy out in the harbour, we've been able to admire Tobermory from a distance. It must be one of the prettiest little seaside towns in Scotland.
We were torn between spending a whole day on the Isle of Mull, or sailing out to the Small Isles. We've chosen to sail because it's a unique chance to go to places we wouldn't otherwise be likely to visit. We're off to Canna, just North West of Rum, and will anchor overnight. The beaches are said to be white and sandy, and the sea is turquoise blue. We may even swim - how exciting!!

Sorry no photos here, very slow connection on Vodafone, so may try to load them later if we get somewhere better!


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