Date: Thursday 7th August, 2008
Anchorage: Camas Daraich, Point of Sleat, Isle of Skye
Position: 57° 01’.200N 006° 00’.500W
Distance Travelled: 40 NM

A Rum do? Possibly – the day’s proposal was for zig-zag transects out to the Small Isles, and heading east. Things started with some promise as we left the reasonably sheltered waters of Loch Brachadale, but even porpoises didn’t show at the surface. Further out, blue skies gave excellent views across to the Black Cuillin on Skye, the whole ridge clear of cloud and the ‘Innaccessible Pinnacle’ obvious on the skyline. The NNE wind persisted, whipping up the sea for more challenging sighting conditions – perhaps contributing to the decision to take some time out on Canna, the nearest of the Small Isles. As we rounded the eastern headland, the bare northern aspect gave way to woodland and a small shoreside hamlet with two chapels, plus tea shop – near heaven! We soaked up the sun, with cakes or soup, for a TOO brief three-quarters of an hour, before our schedule drove us on. We couldn’t leave without a souvenir – but Gen taking up a boulder in the anchor was a bit excessive!!! The plus side of the return was Dave’s sighting of a basking shark sauntering around the entrance to the bay, in that basking-shark-sort-of-way – excellent!
The sojourn on the weather front was short-lived, as we returned to open water. The cloud closed in, somewhat, and the wind rose – seabirds seemed few, and cetaceans even fewer – I sighted a porpoise at close range off Rum, though they must have suffered stage-fright, as the hydrophone showed manic activity out of sight off the north end of the island. A cracking sail, reaching 8 knots at one point, to the Point of Sleat - with traditional tatties and neaps (courtesy of the skipper) for dinner in our sheltered anchorage just east. Some took advantage of the excellent evening light in a run ashore, building sandcastles on the beach, and watching shoaling fish close by – a last night beyond the reach of civilisation.

Robin