Our next voyage through the Small Isles took us to the Island of Rum. This is a wild and mountainous place with just one anchorage on the east side. View of Rum Island from the Sea Rum has two interesting claims to fame. One is the exotic and rather curious Kinloch Castle, a hunting lodge for a previous owner, Sir George Bullough. Sir George used to have his staff fire at unwanted boats who dared to enter his waters, earning it the title of the "Forbidden Isle". The other is that they boast the largest and most prolific population of midges - maybe not something you would normally want to advertise to potential visitors! Kinloch Castle The island was sold by the Bulloughs in 1957 and is now owned by Scottish National Heritage (SNH), a government funded organisation that promotes the natural environment for the public to enjoy. The population is currently about 30 people and they have a primary school (described as "very remote, rural") with 1 pupil...
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 ...
At anchor in the beautiful surroundings of West Tarbert Bay, Gigha, we spent the morning in artistic pursuits (more pursuit than achievement in some cases). Rosie painted and I strummed my guitar and sang. It was hard to interpret the loud cries of the seabirds all around me but I like to think that they were calls of appreciation. Barometer steady. Skies clear and sunny. We enjoyed a gentle sail around the island to the main harbour of Ardminish, where we picked up a visitors mooring buoy. Rosie fished on the way, as we drifted gently downwind, but luckily there is a good village shop in Ardminish because the fish were not interested in her allures (or should that be lures, I get confused). Ardminish Mooring The smart new landing pontoon was temporary home to lots of lobsters in cages, hung from the handrails. I hope that they don't worry too much about their circumstances but they do look tasty. Ardminish Landing Pontoon ...
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