Yes, we’d arrived back into Blighty’s waters, and sailed South down the Minch with colourful bracken and heather clad hillsides and high summits disappearing into the clouds on both sides, past Applecross and onto a cosy anchorage at Poll Domhain. It was a great feeling to have a proper nights sleep again, and we celebrated in style with our top tin all time favourite of ‘Confit de Canard’ and even had some beers left to join the party!

Friday 5th Sept. 

Up early and off by 0615 to catch the tide gate racing south through Kyle Rhea at about 6kts by the time we got there! But first we had to squeeze underneath the Skye bridge, with about 4m of clearance which looks considerably less when looking up at the bridge from the deck!

We got some good wind in the Sound of Sleat and despite it coming straight on our nose, we enjoyed tacking all the way down and round the Ardnamurchan peninsular, with some rain and squally winds to keep us on our toes!

Shot around the corner and rapid progress saw us berthed alongside a pontoon in Tobermory by 1930! The best day’s sailing of the trip, with a good variety of conditions and over 80nM. Phew, just enough time to exchange foulies for fresh T shirts, and a walk along the colourful parade to a fish restaurant and birthday celebrations!

Saturday 6th Sept.

A very leisurely start and a little more time to experience the delights of Tobermory, then off again, smashing straight into a strong headwind down the Sound of Mull. But once round past Duart castle we got sailing once again and had a wonderful trip down the Firth of Lorne and into the Sound of Luing. Great Scottish weather with sun, cloud, rain, squalls, wind, no wind and then sun again. And, an almost non stop dolphin display all day! Just fantastic.

We finally reached the end of our journey and came into the marina at Ardfern by 1800. What an amazing trip!

Tracey