We Meet A Tarbert



From Loch Ranza we sailed on a broad reach in frisky conditions, under all plain sail.  We touched nine knots in one gust, which is somewhat faster than hull speed, so we were becoming semi-displacement!  We arrived quite quickly in East Loch Tarbert.

There are a lot of Tarberts around here, so they can get confusing.  The name "tarbert" is derived from Gaelic and is a term for an inlet or loch separated from the one opposite by a small ridge of land, or isthmus.  The Vikings sometimes used to shift their boats over the ridges, to save sailing the long way around.  With a substantial keel, we'll have to keep sailing.

East Loch Tarbert Entrance - View From Castle
With lots to see and interesting local walks, we would have liked to stay longer in Tarbert, but while the rest of the country was expecting a heat wave, heavy rain was forecast here.  We therefore decided to press on to the Crinan Canal and sit it out there.

We have no complaints about a little rain however.  We have had settled high pressure for a while now and have been enjoying a lot of sun lately, which not very usual around here.  The locals keep telling us to enjoy summer, while it lasts.  This summer has probably seen more sun than the whole of last year in West Scotland, so we are happy!

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