andymcp
Well-Known Member
We set sail from Kip last Friday, intending to spend a few days out and about taking the boat round to the west coast proper. Left Kip just after 9 Friday, headed west of Cumbrae, watched some amazing cloud formations over the Ayrshire coast (somebody in that part of the world had upset a weather god or two methinks...). Had to take considered course of action when passing the end of Cumbrae when we met our first boat of the day, felt positively claustrophobic. Thankfully as we reached Holy Isle the only two yachts in sight were suitably distant that we couldn't make out what model they were. One then had the bare-faced cheek to divert course and cross within half a mile of us as we reached Pladda. We bore east to re-establish a more comfortable distance of 2 miles, with the side benefit of picking up some cracking surfs and hitting a new personal best boat speed of 12.8kts. Grins all round.
Arriving Campbeltown we found out that the busy pontoon was backed up with 2 days of visitors who had stayed put rather than round the Mull or head home in pretty fresh winds. Thankfully got tied up next to empty locals boat so sense of isolation partly maintained.
Rounded Mull the following morning, thankfully sleeping in and missing tide times so nobody else around. Minor twitches when 60ft yacht spotted coming up Irish coastline, much relief when it diverted west and left us space to relax. Arrived in Gigha after messing around with spinnaker at 5pm to find bay completely empty. Slightly spoiled by the arrival of 2 more yachts later in evening, but we were on the beer by then and felt we could cope.
Last to leave the following morning, managed all the way to Corryvreckan without meeting another soul (well, apart from porpoises and seals who remained a respectable distance off). If we looked straight ahead though we could maintain the illusion of isolation most of the way into Croabh, which is so peaceful you might as well be on your own.
Is it just me, or is this alarming over-crowding in Scottish waters getting worse? Certainly a friend from London who joined us commented that it was just like the Solent on a bad day. Although he may have been talking about the foul tides.....
Arriving Campbeltown we found out that the busy pontoon was backed up with 2 days of visitors who had stayed put rather than round the Mull or head home in pretty fresh winds. Thankfully got tied up next to empty locals boat so sense of isolation partly maintained.
Rounded Mull the following morning, thankfully sleeping in and missing tide times so nobody else around. Minor twitches when 60ft yacht spotted coming up Irish coastline, much relief when it diverted west and left us space to relax. Arrived in Gigha after messing around with spinnaker at 5pm to find bay completely empty. Slightly spoiled by the arrival of 2 more yachts later in evening, but we were on the beer by then and felt we could cope.
Last to leave the following morning, managed all the way to Corryvreckan without meeting another soul (well, apart from porpoises and seals who remained a respectable distance off). If we looked straight ahead though we could maintain the illusion of isolation most of the way into Croabh, which is so peaceful you might as well be on your own.
Is it just me, or is this alarming over-crowding in Scottish waters getting worse? Certainly a friend from London who joined us commented that it was just like the Solent on a bad day. Although he may have been talking about the foul tides.....
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