Kerrera to Loch Aline

Yes, finally we had a day when it was a force 4 wind with little gusts to 5. No gales. Wow. It was still nicely overcast though. So, we refitted the bimini cover that had been sheltering in a locker during the gales, prepared the boat and headed off just as it started to drizzle a little. Impeccable timing indeed.

As we headed out, Tim the Kerrera marina owner and his son came to wave us off. Not sure that happens in too many places, giving him TGT was obviously a good move as he told us that afterwards he has been investigating Nordhavn yachts on the internet. Another convert perhaps?

Amazingly, we timed things to avoid any departing or incoming Oban ferries in the narrow northern approach area, this guy was passed a bit further out:

The route is pretty simple really:

A few rocky outcrops which you have to slalom around but no other navigational challenges. The long thin island is Lismore and here is the lighthouse on the southern end of it:

What you cannot see on the track image above is the other little rocky area in between it and the Island of Mull. Here is how the nautical chart sees things:

and here is the little light tower on Lady's Rock:

The northern face of it is going nicely green and messy thanks to the rain and not seeing any sun. Talking of sun, as we approached that rock, the cloud cover did finally break and there was some blue stuff to admire:

A little further on, in the so called Lynn of Morvern, you get to enjoy Duart Castle - this time we could actually see it too thanks to the sun trying to join us:

A bit fuzzy thanks to the need for the zoom lens and a little remaining mist but quite atmospheric. We were then treated to a quintessential Scottish view. A castle, a hilly bit in the mist and a CalMac ferry:

Mind you, we might feel ourselves lucky to see a larger ferry as they appear to be breaking down rather too frequently now and the replacement ships are mired in delays and controversy. Have a look at BBC report. Well worth reading when you consider that the islands are so dependent upon the Scottish government owned CalMac services. 

Approaching the "narrow bit" (technical term there, hope you spotted it), it felt more like the madness of the Solent than quiet old Scotland:

The first calmish day for about 10 days, a Saturday and so everyone was out on the water it seemed. Well, at least these 4 yachts heading towards us and the ugly passenger cruise thing Lord of the Glens which was heading our way.

We were ready to anchor in Loch Aline or go onto the community visitor pontoon there. The latter would be better as some more fruity winds were forecast for Monday. The crew called the massively helpful Caroline who said that both hammerheads were full but one had a little ycht on it that was not big enough to be there. She duly shooed them off (they claimed engine trouble as a reason to be there), called us back and we had a nice walk ashore spot for a couple of nights. Heading into the Loch we had to hang around for the little ferry that goes over to Mull, then tip-toe into the loch as it was not long after low water. You can see how the depth goes from over 100 metres to just over 2 metres as you enter the loch:

We need 2 metres to stay afloat in plus a little under the keel for safety so with only just over 1 metre of tide height, we had to be careful. 

After a slow gentle trip in we swung onto the now vacated hammerhead and under the watchful eyes of what seemed like everyone in the moorings who suddenly popped up in their cockpits to enjoy the spectator sport. There was a rally going on (or a muster in Scottish terms) so the place was heaving. We berthed perfectly, no thruster use, engine only, gentle arrival, no drama. It was one of those "we just have to do this properly" moments and amazingly it worked. Folks returned to the cabins of their yachts from the cockpits disappointed. The little trip was 2 hours long and once the sun popped out, very scenic. Only force 5 gusts this time too. We felt honoured.

Loch Aline is one of our happy places, sheltered, beautiful, an interesting area. We just have to decide what to do for the next week as the strong winds and nasty stuff return Tuesday to Saturday according to the forecasts. Mallaig might be a no-go as there is some NW'ly forecast too and that is the direction that means people get turfed out of the harbour there for safety.