Deb Griffiths

Very quiet night up the end of Loch Scotnish. After much debate decided to depart top of tide and get down to mouth of Loch Sween. Then try and push north until tide too much. Came around corner and it had already turned foul so anchored in Loch na Cille - lovely and quiet. After 2 hours departed and headed North to Carsaig. Made good time. Sue took over and we headed out to round the islands around Dorus Mor. Hit a lot of foul tide but plugged away and it slowly released its grasp. Made Craobh at 1450 Journeys End

Departed lovely Port Ellen (well worth a visit!) at 10:25 and once round the Ardbeg islands laid a course for the entrance to Loch Sween. Lovely sail right up the loch to Tayvallich where we dropped the sails and motored ( slowly) up Scotnish loch to the most idyllic anchorage in the head waters. 30m out plus the anchor buoy. Only a wee RIB here which is either on a permanent or he’ll clear out later! Lovely breeze, surrounded by wooded slopes. Beer o’clock!

Sailed off of buoy at Ardminish and bore away south toward the Caolas Gigalum passage. Sue navigated us through with Deb on helm and Mike and I spotting. Still under full sail we set off across to Port Ellen. Dispute light winds and shifts managed a good course, even go to play with a large pod of Porpoises! Off Taxa wind dropped so hoist the iron topsail ( and wind immediately blew 13kts.!!!) Bit apprehensive on approach as looked crowded with cross wind and little space to manoeuvre. But ended up simpler than expected.

Day 3 - Tuesday. Started with a run ashore and breakfast courtesy of Georgie Gary, who runs the Antlers cafe! Excellent breakfast. This was followed by 10 am tour of Jura Distillery! Wonderful and just a shame our visit coincided with 4 week maintenance break!!! Still got to see it all and taste at the end. The 14 year old Jura was fav! Back to the boat and slipped at 1215 under power towing dinghy for 14 mile hop to Gigha (pronounced Gee-ha). On a 25 ton mooring buoy for the night! Top recommendation - “ The Boathouse”, Ardminish, Gigha https://boathouseongigha.com/

Alarms went off at 0530 and by 0600 we had slipped. Gentle motor sail around past Easdale island until we could bear away towards the entrance to the Sound of Luing and Fladda rock. The tide was already hoofing south. Kept a sharp eye out for lobster pots which were all being towed under! At one point we recorded SOG 11.9kts! Sped pass the entrance to Corryvrechan and made Craighouse before 1200! So that’s 35nm in under 6 hours so easily kept up average of 6 kts and for most of the trip it was 8kts. Weather was occasionally gusty. Grey Dogs and Corryvrekan looked horrid, full of angry white water! In the afternoon we went ashore and had a tour of the distillery. NB: all the distilleries close for 2 weeks for maintenance in the summer. Guess when!

Had to allow a F8 NW to blow through. Then quick hop over to Kerrera marina to refuel and renew gas cylinder. Then motorsailed into SW’ly. Reached Puilladobhrain where we dropped anchor in 6.4m. Deployed anchor buoy. Once secure we launched the dinghy and motored to the SE corner of the bay where the path takes you on a short walk across the peninsula to the Bridge over the Atlantic and the wonderful Tigh an Truish pub!!! Highly recommended!!!!