Scottish Isles Pt.2

Published 13:12 on 9 Oct 2023

Our trip around the Scottish Isles continued to Canna. A lovely bay with amazing views of Rum waited us. We arrived in glorious sunshine and went ashore for a walk to what I thought was a lookout tower. A quick read of the Scottish Isles revealed its true purpose. It was built to incarcerate a daughter because her father didnt like her boyfriend!

We then crossed sailed across to the Outer Hebrides and picked up supplies in Loch Maddy before sailing to Scalpay in Harris. An early start the following day gave us a fantastic sunrise with the sea turning gold. A 1 ½ metre clearance under the bridge led to a few anxious moments. 

A stormy forecast resulted in us sheltering under anchor in Loch Ewe for 36 hours. The loch was used by the Allies in WWll to assemble the Artic Convoys and a visit to the museum was well worth a visit. As soon as the storm passed we sailed down the west coast stopping at Plockton on the way down.

Drama off Mallaig as the engine heating alarm went off and smoke came out of the engine bay. A Pan Pan call led to a ship standing by and a rescue by the Mallaig lifeboat. Luckily not too serious and everyone was OK. 

The tour of the islands finished at Port Appin and a lovely meal at the Pierhouse. The Caledonian canal beckoned. 

The transit of the canal was another adventure. The weather was quiet albeit overcast. We entered at Corpach Lock, which is overlooked by the magnificence of Ben Nevis. The transit was pretty uneventful and the lock keepers were all friendly. In many of the locks we were the only boat!