Position: Erraid, Ross of Mull
Weather: Foggy overcast day
Distance travelled: 70 nautical miles

We departed Port Ellen at about 08.30 and headed into poor visibility which stayed with us for most of the day. We were in and out of low fog banks all days, sometimes with visibility of only a few hundred meters to the occasional glimpse of cheering blue sky. The sea state was moderate with a swell of about one meter. As we passed the Mull of Oa and the Rhinns of Islay the seas becaome more choppy and there were a few of us who felt a bit worse for wear. As we rounded the western end of islay the skies cleared and we set a course for The Ross of mull, passing on the way the imposing Dubh Artak lighthouse. Although a lot of gannets, fulmars, shearwaters and storm petrels had been seen not a single cetacean had been sighted. Instead we took strength from Duncan’s homemade teacake! As we approached Mull we sailed through an area called the Torran rocks and the shout ‘BASKING SHARK!!!’ was heard. A small animal about 3 meters long was spotted – but soon lost from sight as it dived below the surface. 15 minutes later – again ‘BASKING SHARK!!’ This time there were three animals circling at the surface to smaller animals and one large individual of about 6m with a huge dorsal fin flapping at the surface. We stayed with animals for about 30 minuites and got some good shots of the dorsal fin and were some of us were lucky enough to see the animal close up as it passed beneath the bow. A fantastic end to what had been a little bit of a grey day! Our anchorage for the evening was Erraid on the Ross of Mull, where we spent a beautiful calm sunny evening. Pasta and apple cake for tea and a sunset walk before bed.

Log by: Juliet