Sailing in Scotland 12th - 18th September 2010
with Ted & Jane Warren on their Bowman 57 - "Longbow"
We went with Mike & Mary Brown and Eric & Chris Hookins.
We jouneyed to Scotland on different days and had different stop overs.
We all stayed with Mrs. Mabel McNulty in Dalmally for one night.
Wonderful Scottish hospitality!
We all arrived at Ardfern on Loch Craigish on Sunday afternoon 12th
September to embark on Longbow.
Ardfern Yacht Centre
Longbow
Pam
& Alan took the forcabin, berths 8 & 9 - we had our own
'heads' with shower. Chris and Eric had the next cabin with berths 6
& 7.
They also had their own 'heads' with shower which they shared with
Mike and Mary who had the main cabin with
berths 4, 5 & 6 between them.
Ted and Jane have berths 1 & 2 in the owners cabin. The
cockpit was large enough for the eight of us to be out in the fresh air
all-together.
We could also all gather round the saloon table for some
excellent meals prepared by
Jane.
We had some idea of the coming weather
from the sky as we passed Loch Lomond.
There were frequent rain showers but lots of
very thick rainbows. We also saw double
rainbows for the first time. The loch steamers
were still running.
No
time was wasted as we stowed all
our gear in the multitude of draws and
lockers on Longbow and motored out
of Ardfern.
The weather looked very poor so it was
full wet weather gear. Our reflective
patches show up well with the camera
flashes!
Skipper Ted, Chris, Eric, Mike & Mary
Alan
We set a course northwards up the Firth of Lorn to
anchor for the night in Loch Aline.
Lochaline is the main
village in the peninsula of Morvern, which forms the extreme
south-western point of the Scottish Highland region. The population of
Lochaline is about 200 and it has one shop (also post office and petrol
station), one restaurant and one hotel.
The main attraction of
Lochaline is its location. It overlooks the Sound of Mull and it is an
excellent base for discovering the unspoilt and thinly populated
Morvern countryside, with its abundance of wildlife. The island of Mull
is just a short ferry ride across the Sound of Mull.
On the way we passed Duart
Castle, on the Isle of Mull which is the ancestral home of the Clan
Maclean. Once in the loch we anchored and went
below for the first of many excellent dinners prepared by Jane.
After a good nights sleep, a full breakfast (including porridge for
those who wished to indulge)
we upped anchor and sailed out of the Loch northwestwards up the Sound
of Mull. First stop Tobermory (Of Ballamory fame - children's
television).
The weather continued to deteriorate with winds of up to gale
force 8 forecast.
Beaufort Scale
This ketch left its mizzen mainsail up to keep it head to wind.
The houses in Tobermory are very colourful.
We did manage to get ashore in the dignghy during a break in the rain
squalls.
It has stopped raining but is still very windy!
Hebridean Princess moored in Tobermory Harbour.
The cabin gets littered with sailing gear drying out because of
the wet weather.
When we leave Tobermory Eric has his chance on the wheel - at
least it is not raining!
Another view of Duart Castle on our return journey.
Some of the crew looked miserable but were not really. Just
relaxing and enjoying the ride out of the rain.
Chris managed 7.33 knots
Rainbow - we saw many of these - especially thick
and often double.
Jura - too rough to land
Lunch aboard instead.
Wiping up after lunch - our only chores aboard Longbow.
Dragons teeth as we leave Jura.
Off-duty crew relaxing.
Alan on the helm.
You couldn't always tell who was on the helm - Chris actually!
More rainbows.
A peaceful anchorage in the Faery Isles.
A chance to watch for birds - a heron in this case.
An opportunity to go ashore.
Going ashore.
Are we lost?
Full load.
Waiting for the dinghy.
Returning to Longbow.
Beating home
Pam
Pam
Alan on the helm.
Wet gear drying below.
Beating home - Chris on the wheel.
Full complement. (Except for the photographer - Pam)
Jane, Alan, Chris, Mary, Ted, Mike, Eric.
Disembarking
Longbow
Loading the cars.
Ardfern - still raining.