Anchorage: Loch Maddy
Position: 57° 35’.500N 007° 09’.000W
Distance Travelled: 47 NM

We awoke to leaden skies and an a fierce Westerly howling in the rigging. With a certain trepidation we emerged from the havenly shelter of Loch Na h-Uidhe into the raw Atlantic. The plan was to head South to the tiny islet of Coppay, then East through the Sound of Harris and back into the comparative tranquillity of the Little Minch. Before we had reached the five rocky promontories of Toe Head (why isn’t it called Foot Head?) we had abandoned any pretence at a formal survey, it being quite untenable for the volunteer observers up at the mast to the remain any longer at their bucking and spray-bespattered posts. Nevertheless, a porpoise mother and calf were sighted and recorded. And later a solitary porpoise. And several more of the same were captured on the hydrophone. Once in the Sound, the Skipper’s considerable skill and experience were amply demonstrated as he piloted us effortlessly through the twisting, reef-infested Stanton Channel, and out into clear open water, heading for Skye. The mizzen and jib were hoisted and a strong following wing pushed us steadily towards Dunvegen Head. On arrival there however we found that it was not our final destination, but rather just the terminus of this particular transect. We had to go about and punch our way back through the mounting Westerly towards North Uist. Wind, waves and the frequent squalls of torrential rain conspired to hide any coincidental cetaceans from our view. On our arrival at the Loch Maddy the first thing we did was replenish Silurian’s depleted water reserves – quite ironic given the somewhat drenched nature of the day.