Linnhe Marina to Tobermory 22 May 2024

 

Yep, we’ve arrived at Tobermory.

The forecast for later today and tomorrow is pretty dreadful - gale force winds and a lot of rain. So we have made an early run for Tobermory with a plan to stay two nights until the weather has blown through.

We left Linnhe Marina at 08.30 exiting via the south channel.  We had gone into the marina via this channel yesterday, and the depth sounder had shown a reading of 1.6m - really too shallow for us. So I was particularly nervous exiting today - but Gordon found the right channel and we didn’t get a reading less than 5.9m today.  I suspect yesterday’s reading was an aberration - a bit of weed, or a big fish!

Rather excitingly, just at the exit of this channel, there was a Sea Eagle on the low tide rocks.  It didn’t move but watched us as we passed. It’s a big bird. 

On the west coast of Loch Linnhe before reaching the entrance to the Sound of Mull is a massive quarry producing a range of granite based aggregates. Scaring the side of a mountain, Glensanda is described as a coastal super-quarry. Owned by Aggregate Industries, with the site having a processing plant, a small aircraft landing strip, a deep-water berth that serves ships up to 120,000 tonnes, a small boat harbour, a private ferry for its workers, and an enormous hole in the ground!

Google maps shows the huge processing plant and aggregate storage on Loch Linnhe shoreline plus the massive quarry in the mountain above.

Above, the Glensanda processing site on Loch Linnhe shoreline, and below, the private ferry taking employees to and from the site.  The site has no road access and apparently employs 200 people. It is allowed to produce 15m tonnes of aggregate per year. 

The wind picked up and got cooler as we entered the Sound of Mull, but the sea state stayed slight, so we had an easy dry run up to Tobermory.  The highlight was seeing another Sea Eagle as it crossed from the island to the mainland.

Berthed in Tobermory marina at 12.00.  Lunch shortly afterwards and then a gentle stroll around the town.  As the afternoon wore on the marina has filled up.  The swell coming into the harbour has also picked up and as a consequence all the boats are dancing on the ropes - not in unison because each is moving to the tune of the swell it is on.



Boat bird list is modest at just 15 species, with the Sea Eagles being the highlight.

Our route:







































































































































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