And here is the unexpurgated version of that cruise, as recounted by Club Historian and Keeper of the Truths (ever so gently massaged at times) Donald Buchanan of that Ilk (what ilk would that be then. Ed?)
Sun. 23/6: Set off for Acarseid Mhor in a
Nor'wester and clag with big rollers past Priest; got roughed-up by a "Roo
Ray Rougie" off the Light...a combination of knockdown and falling off a
wave...Cap'n Campbell washed to cockpit sole; change of plan and direction and
went to Badachro and hung on a Vistor Mooring overnight.(36M)
Mon. 24/6: Headed off for Kyle and beyond; fridge not working so shopped and waited for tide ; went through Kyle Rhea and anchored at Isle Ornsay.(53M)
Tue. 25/6: Set off to explore Loch Hourn up to 1st Narrows..."We've come so far, let's go on to the next one" was a phrase thrice repeated; the 4th Narrows was negotiated near the bottom of the ebb and without touching (1.2m under the transducer) but lost our way a bit on the reverse trip at the start of the flood, but hey, no barnacles on the keel foot! Scenery was quite impressive but I think the Cap'n was pining for the more grandiose fjords. Spent the night at Inverie; scallops at the Old Forge Inn.(40M)
Wed. 26/6: Bound for Tobermory in good weather; only cost £21 on the pontoon and great showers for £2; drinks in the Mishnish and curry at the Indian.(37M)
Thu. 27/6: Down the Sound in thick clag to Oban Marina (also £21) at Kerrera; caught the free ferry and dined at Ee-Usk on the North Pier, food good but not spectacular unlike the service, which was exemplary: must try the opposition on the Fish Pier next time.(20M)
Fri. 28/6: Found the Retail Park and shopped at Tesco. Set off late am. to round the Ross of Mull but seas quite lumpy out of the Sou'west past Loch Spelve so ended up at Loch Staosnaig just south of Scalasaig on Colonsay...very peaceful.(35M)
Sat. 29/6: Heading North now...maybe Ulva/Gometra, Tiree, Canna, North end of Mull, wherever but the weather not too bad to begin with so...threaded the Torran Rocks, isolated Iona through the Sound, ducked the Dutchman's Cap, tiptoed past the Treshnish Isles and decided to aim for north of Ardnamurchan...wind up the chuff and nasty clag off the point; one vicious gybe later and the mainsheet traveller parted company with the Xtrack and the Plotter went blank! "Don't Panic!" So we didn't, just jury rigged the mainsheet and plugged in the plotter again, then set off for Arisaig where we spent the night on a vacant mooring.(65M)
Sun. 30/6: Off to Canna after a late start...a tad cream crackered after yesterday...wind and seas out of the Sou'west; not much of a lee from Eigg, better one off Rum. Picked up one of 10 Visitor Moorings around the bay between Sanday and Canna; £10 a night in honesty box in shop at the pier. £2 coin shower (the one coin was still producing hot water after we took it in turns) at the farm restaurant halfway twixt pier and farm; closed Mondays! Should mention Cap'n Cook delivered a scrumptious Sunday Roast Lamb Dinner.(21M)
Wed. 3/7: Motored up the Raasay Sound and on to Rubha Reidh. Tried
fishing at a mark we have at a bay South of Greenstone: not a sausage far less a
fish! Sailed for a bit then got down to the packing, Harbour Stow for the
sails and tidying the boat...Home for lonnnnggg hot shower and bed..."perchance
to dream..." tomorrow the washing!(45M)
Mon. 24/6: Headed off for Kyle and beyond; fridge not working so shopped and waited for tide ; went through Kyle Rhea and anchored at Isle Ornsay.(53M)
Tue. 25/6: Set off to explore Loch Hourn up to 1st Narrows..."We've come so far, let's go on to the next one" was a phrase thrice repeated; the 4th Narrows was negotiated near the bottom of the ebb and without touching (1.2m under the transducer) but lost our way a bit on the reverse trip at the start of the flood, but hey, no barnacles on the keel foot! Scenery was quite impressive but I think the Cap'n was pining for the more grandiose fjords. Spent the night at Inverie; scallops at the Old Forge Inn.(40M)
Wed. 26/6: Bound for Tobermory in good weather; only cost £21 on the pontoon and great showers for £2; drinks in the Mishnish and curry at the Indian.(37M)
Thu. 27/6: Down the Sound in thick clag to Oban Marina (also £21) at Kerrera; caught the free ferry and dined at Ee-Usk on the North Pier, food good but not spectacular unlike the service, which was exemplary: must try the opposition on the Fish Pier next time.(20M)
Fri. 28/6: Found the Retail Park and shopped at Tesco. Set off late am. to round the Ross of Mull but seas quite lumpy out of the Sou'west past Loch Spelve so ended up at Loch Staosnaig just south of Scalasaig on Colonsay...very peaceful.(35M)
Sat. 29/6: Heading North now...maybe Ulva/Gometra, Tiree, Canna, North end of Mull, wherever but the weather not too bad to begin with so...threaded the Torran Rocks, isolated Iona through the Sound, ducked the Dutchman's Cap, tiptoed past the Treshnish Isles and decided to aim for north of Ardnamurchan...wind up the chuff and nasty clag off the point; one vicious gybe later and the mainsheet traveller parted company with the Xtrack and the Plotter went blank! "Don't Panic!" So we didn't, just jury rigged the mainsheet and plugged in the plotter again, then set off for Arisaig where we spent the night on a vacant mooring.(65M)
Sun. 30/6: Off to Canna after a late start...a tad cream crackered after yesterday...wind and seas out of the Sou'west; not much of a lee from Eigg, better one off Rum. Picked up one of 10 Visitor Moorings around the bay between Sanday and Canna; £10 a night in honesty box in shop at the pier. £2 coin shower (the one coin was still producing hot water after we took it in turns) at the farm restaurant halfway twixt pier and farm; closed Mondays! Should mention Cap'n Cook delivered a scrumptious Sunday Roast Lamb Dinner.(21M)
Mon. 1/7: After showers and walk ashore headed East for the Sound
of Sleat hoping to make contact with Twister and Lucky Jim (been texting
back-and-forth with Choppy but no chance of meeting up). Found them in
Mallaig(CcccccH-Ptttt!) Marina getting stores and avoiding paying £25 a night
for SFA! and agreed to see them at Inverie. Crossed the Sound in good weather
and nice breeze on the quarter. Bore away from a yacht beating down the Sound
though we were Stand-on boat but no acknowledgement of our kindness as he passed
ahead. Saw the White Ensign flying from his stern so gave the traditional
single AND double digit Royal Salute of scorn and derision...also not
acknowledged! Rafted-up on Visitor Mooring for run ashore (drinks and food at
Inn) and split up for overnight.(28M)
Tue. 2/7: With rotten forecasts for later in the week we all had
decided to curtail the Cruise and set off early for Kyle Rhea and the Flood.
Sailed up to Lochalsh and sat at pontoon for stores,etc. The Bhut Bheag at the
top of the slip sells good takeaway langoustine salads and other fishy delights.
The Commodore suggested his Flotilla should take the scenic Skye route to our
overnight at Acarseid Mhor and my thoughts at one stage during the day, for some
reason, turned to the Battle of the River Plate with Commodore Harwood in Ajax
along with sister Leander Class cruiser HMNZS Achilles and the bigger Exeter,
and the similarities, in miniature, to our own Flotilla...if only we had sighted
a big, bad Bavaria, the illusion would have been complete! So it was South
about Pabbay and Scalpay, through the squalls off Lochs Ainort and Sligachan and
up the Raasay Narrows with the Longbow romping away from the Vegas...it's
amazing the difference 4' can make. Rafted-up again in bomb-proof harbour for
the night; 2 boats' anchors out (which collected a load of stinky mud).
(55M)
Total mileage +/- 450.