Our tenth anniversary season got off to a
wonderful start with both vessels on a one-way cruise from Holy Loch, near
Dunoon, around the Mull of Kintyre to Oban.
The weather was kind with little wind, and periods of sunshine while the
wildlife put in an appearance too.
Skipper Iain on the Glen Tarsan was ably
assisted by Chef Stephen, Engineer Gavin and Bosun “young “ Stephen
Skipper Sandy on the Glen Massan was
supported by Chef Andie, Engineer Ray and Bosun Claire
For much of the journey the boats travelled
together from the Clyde in south Argyll to The Inner Hebrides and Oban in the
north of Argyll.
The first stopover for both vessels was the
charismatic anchorage at Carrick Castle in Loch Long where both chefs competed
for the best first dinner on board ever!
Steve and Andie each provided their legendary seafood buffet with
mussels, languostines and crab. There
was plenty of birdlife about with large rafts of eider and guillemot, and close
sightings of porpoises and seals.
Sunday got off to a rainy start as the
boats set off for Bute but, as it often does on the west coast, the weather cleared
to provide a lovely sunny sail from Rothesay to East Kyle in the stunning Kyles
of Bute. Previously guests enjoyed a
visit to the amazing Mount Stuart. There
were more birds to be seen, in particular rafts of eider, with razorbills,
cormorants, guillemots and gulls also spotted.
Monday began very socially as the guests of
Glen Massan joined the guests of Glen Tarsan for breakfast. Both Skippers were very focused on the weather
as it was the day to “round the Mull” which can on occasion be fairly
exposed. However, the weather Gods
smiled on our vessels which enjoyed smooth seas and some sunshine as they
navigated the Mull of Kintyre and onwards to Jura. With great views of the Isle of Gigha on the
East and Islay on the west, our vessels held for Jura, anchoring off
Craighouse. Much of the marine wildlife
was still out and about with common dolphin, porpoise and common seal all
spotted as well as fulmars, kittiwakes and black guillemots.
Tuesday dawned and guests from both boats went
ashore for a guided tour of Jura distillery followed by both vessels then
cruising the length of Loch Sween, past the ruins of twelfth century Loch Sween
Castle to the charming village of Tayvallich.
The Osprey nest on Loch Sween could be clearly seen as the vessels
cruised past and already the pair of Ospreys were in residence. Guillemot and
Canada geese were also spotted. Stopping over in Loch Sween, some guests took
the walk to Carsaig beach on the west side of the peninsula and were rewarded
with excellent views of Jura and some seals.
On Wednesday both boats cruised to
picturesque Crinan for a lunchtime anchorage with buzzard, oystercatcher and
heron spotted on the way. The weather
had become a bit dull, but spirits were raised with a birthday cake for a guests on the Glen Tarsan at afternoon tea and the sight of a pair of rare northern
divers at the mouth of Crinan Bay and some porpoise. The vessels then continued on their voyage
north, leaving Jura behind, passing into a delightful small island landscape
with the Craignish Peninsula on the mainland on the right and the “Slate Isles”
and Isle of Scarba on the left. The journey was aided by the following sea of
the “tidal gate” Dorus Mhor and the sun appearing from time to time finally
anchoring in Fearnach Bay in Loch Melfort for the night. Buzzard, oystercatcher
and heron were
On
Thursday morning, all guests on the Glen Tarsan went ashore for a sunny
walk on the shores of Loch Melfort followed by a wonderful short cruise to the
Sound of Seil for lunch. Guests went
ashore to walk over the humpbacked Clachan Bridge joining tiny Seil Island with
the Scottish mainland. The late
afternoon sun provided a perfect cruise in Hebridean light as the Glen Tarsan
headed for Duart Castle on Mull and then to the next inlet on the Mull Coast,
Loch Spelve for overnight. The Glen
Massan guests opted for a trip ashore at Easdale, joining the Glen Tarsan in
Loch Spelve. The combined wildlife count
for the day was wild goat, red deer, a white tailed eagle, seals and great
northern divers. Loch Spelve is famed
for its otters but unfortunately none were feeling sociable.
On the Friday morning, it was time to head
back over the Firth of Lorne from Mull to Oban and disembarkation with memories of wonderful voyage from South to North Argyll around the Mull of Kintyre.
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