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Monday 13th July

Wednesday 8th July, 0600 start today with a view to being close to the entrance of the Sound of Harris when the tidal stream starts NW. However low cloud and mist made visibility very poor as I threaded my way out of East Loch Tarbert, through a multitude of rocks and skerries. Thank goodness for…

Friday 3rd July.   Another day of strong SW to W winds forecast so staying within the archipelago of islands and lochs for shelter.  I thread my way out of the anchorage through channels, some only a couple of boat lengths wide, seals lazing on the rocks nearby.  I cross over Loch Erisort where I’m briefly exposed to gusts…

Thursday 2nd July

Monday 29th June. After a day anchored off Broadford sitting out 40kt winds I was glad to be able to make tracks towards the final destination of Outer Hebrides.   I needed to refuel before crossing the Minch and had planned to go into Portree, but with a forecast of SW F5 all day it seemed like…

Sunday 28th June

On Wednesday I returned to Sea Orchid with Stewart. He had last been to Armadale in the early 2000s we vaguely thought, when I had chartered an old Nicholson 32 for a week, and with two others we had cruised around the Sound of Sleat.   I was relieved to find the dinghy still lashed to the…

Sunday 24th May

Monday 18th with a light southerly wind we weighed anchor and set off north from Rum bound for Loch Harport on Skye. It was a fine day and the outer Hebrides appeared on the horizon. Turning into the approaches to Harport we could see Macleods Maidens distant on the port side, three towering rock stacks.…

Monday 18th May

Saturday 9th May. Sailed from Loch Moidart 10nm west to Eigg in a N wind F4. Put a reef in the main to see how it would set and all looked good. Just as I was leaving the entrance to Moidart a white tailed sea eagle flew low directly overhead. These enormous birds are now…

Wednesday 6th May

On Sunday I departed Armadale for a shake down sail over to Arisaig, on the mainland side of the Sound of Sleat. Wind NE F4 so it was close to a dead run. I hauled up the new mainsail which is now fully battened, the benefits of which are that it holds a better shape…

Launch Day Saturday 2nd May

So another season is about to begin, the yard here in Ardvasar is buzzing with excitement, and a little trepidation. The last 2 weeks have seen glorious weather and allowed folks to get on with their long lists of jobs. Sea Orchid is looking ship shape now but looked decidedly sorry for herself when I…