Annette and Angus Vine kindly sent us their diary for their "Around Mull Wildlife Explorer£ 6-night cruise departing September 5th on the Glen Tarsan:
Our fondness for the Islands, fuelled by the adventure of an
unscheduled itinerary, and the unexpected, brought us to Oban again on 5th
September.
After a short pub lunch, we were collected by Scott, our
captain, and Ray, the engineer, and taken by tender on a calm and warm
afternoon to board our home for the next six days.
Our fellow travellers were a mixed “bunch” which gave the
party an international feel : two from Chicago, two from Utah, an Australian, a
lad from York, two retired sisters and former nurses from Aberdeen and
Wiltshire, both former Majestic clients and making another booking for 2016; and
we two repeat clients from the Borders.
We were not to be disappointed in any way; quite the contrary, due to a well-balanced
itinerary, very clement weather, apart from a wee bit of wind, and a superb
crew comprising Scott and Ray, Claire our bosun, and Michael our chef We had a lot of fun, excellent food, good
company, no chemistry issues, and some wonderful wildlife sightings.
After the first night’s anchorage in Aird’s Bay by Port
Appin, we steamed up the Sound of Mull, passing, amongst other landmarks,
Morvern and Castle Duart before reaching our anchorage at Tobermory. Eagles were seen.
Our second day was spent ashore on Mull for a wonderful full
day wildlife tour with the loquacious but knowledgeable David. We had otter sightings by Craignure, two
sightings of sea eagles near Grass Point, and three sightings of golden eagles
from the road past Inverlussa and close to Ben More, with the highlight of a hen
harrier in flight also by Grass Point.
Buzzards too featured frequently, with other birds such as pippets and
stonechats.
After an overnight anchorage in Loch Buie, we steamed up the
Firth of Mull passing Auliston Point on the starboard side, with Ardnamurchan
Lighthouse in the far distance, to Lunga/the Treshnish Isles, but we could not
land due to the swell, and then onward to Staffa in choppy waters.
Our third anchorage was past the Ross of Mull and into the
Bay by Bunessan, where we went ashore and walked to and past the village.
We steamed the following morning to Iona where, despite more
very choppy waters and wind, we were put ashore very safely for visits, as
required, to the Abbey and also across the island, over the golf course and
onward to the western beautiful, white sanded and tranquil beach.
Our next stop ashore was in Dervaig Bay, from where we went
ashore into the small village on onward.
After a further overnight anchorage, we steamed the South of
Mull and anchored for lunch by Ardtornish Point and the derelict castle, and
then into Loch Aline, from where we went ashore and walked the lochside shore
around to Ardtornish House, where, close by, we had a magnificent and very
close sighting of three red deer stags, all of which had at least 14 points.
After the next overnight anchorage, we steamed the Sound,
passing Lismore and onward to Oban where we disembarked after a most enjoyable
six day trip.
Overall, we were blessed with good weather conditions and
plenty of sunshine, even though’ at times the seas were choppy There were memorable days, a wide variety of
scenery, lovely blue skies and splendid cloud formations, varied sunsets and
little, if any, rain. These factors
rounded off an excellent Majestic Line Wildlife and Nature Cruise, further
enhanced by memorable on board meals.
Annette and Angus Vine
