Loch Scavaig to Oban. avoiding the wind. 10 August 2023

 

Looking out towards the entrance to Loch Scavaig this morning,
before lifting the anchor at 08.00

Just outside Loch Scavaig is Soay Island, left, and Skye on the right.  
Soay was bought by Gavin Maxwell (author of Ring of Bright Water)
in 1946 to establish a shark oil factory from Basking Sharks.  
The business lasted only 3 years.  
The island currently has a population of 3.

We’ve decided to head back inside the outer Inner Hebrides because there are strong winds forecast for this evening and tomorrow.  More shelter farther in, and we need to start heading south, to position ourselves for the trip down the Irish Sea.  After leaving Scavaig we were soon joined for a brief spell by 3 Common Dolphins, whilst also seeing Harbour Porpoise several times, and indeed Grey Seals and Harbour Seals.

Common Dolphins on our bow.

Common Dolphin checking us out.

We passed Rum, Eigg, Muck and were soon passing Ardnamurchan Lighthouse.  The sea was very calm until we got to Muck, and then the wind picked up, but it was from the SSE and so the sea state was good, with the boat happily cruising’ through the chop.

Passing Ardnamurchan Lighthouse 

The Sound of Mull was busy with yachts, including several old classic vessels that were all in full sail - it was a good sailing day.  We also had a first on the way down the Sound - I had a shower in transit!  It was the first ‘in transit’ shower any of us have had, and it was luvly.  At least I am ready to hit the bright lights of the big smoke (Oban).

Arrived Oban at 15.20, and got a good berth.  Dinner now booked in an Italian. Sunny windy evening.

The boat bird list is 26 species, including Great and Arctic Skuas, Storm Petrel and Grey Wagtail.

Our route:
























































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