Ballintuim Ship's Logs Scotland West coast - 2004

North West coast and Outer Hebrides from Creran - Kathy & Nigel
Passage map

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Friday 30th July - Loch Mharabhig anchorage, Isle of Lewis

08.15 Weigh anchor (heavy mud), motor out of the south entrance very slowly, S 3
09.25 Off Gob na Miolaid Pt, SSW 2/3, hazy Sun, motoring
11.30 Approaching Sound of Scalpay, SW 3, high clouds
13.00 Drop anchor in SE corner of South Harbour after checking oout the North Harbour
pm Walk across the bog to lighthouse, SW 2/3, Sun
18.30 Weigh anchor, motor round to bay west of Aird na Cille, re-anchor in 8.3M, more shelter from SW
Log 23.2 miles

Saturday 31st July - Scalpay anchorage, East Loch Tarbert, Harris

08.00 Weigh anchor, dodge jelly fish & rocks departing for South Harris,SW 0/1, thinning cloud
09.45 Off Finsbay, S 2/3, Sun, occasional sailing
10.45 Off Renish island, S 2/3, Main+ Genoa
11.45 Anchor in north cove of Easay i 4.2M, walk across island, beer with the natives
14.15 Weigh anchor, thread our way west against a 2.3 knot tide at Red rk, S 4/5 Sun, Genoa
15.15 Raise the Main
16.15 Off Toe Head, S 3/4/5, Sun heading east of Taransay
17.20 Anchor in Traigh Nisabort, open bay exosed to north but only slight swell.
18.25 Weigh anchor, motor/sail
19.25 Anchor in Loch Bun (North Cove) in 8.4M, distinctly cosier than the bay! S/W 2/3
Log 35.8 miles

Sunday 1st August - Loch Bun anchorage, West Loch Tarbert

08.55 Weigh anchor to sail away from all the Common Tern & Razorbill families, SSE 3, Sun
10.15 Inside Soay island then head south for Toe Head
11.30 Off Toe Head
13.55 Anchor in 2.1M off Hornish strand (behind Lingay Island) after dicing with the shallows
18.20 Ater a short walk on the North Uist beach/machair, donated potatoes for supper (very sweet!)
Log 34.2 miles

Monday 2nd August - Hornish Strand anchorage, North Uist

06.45 Quiet night depite some wind (up to f6) and rain, SE 3/4, partially overcast
08.15 Weigh anchor, SE 3/5, Main only
09.00 Off Berneray wind gusting up to 23 knots, 3 reefs + reduced Genoa
09.25 Entering the Cope channel through Sounr of Harris, SE 3/4, Motoring,
10.30 Leaving Cope channel, wind up & down, motoe sailing
11.30 Off Loch Maddy, wind now S or SSW 3, hazy Sun
12.10 Entering Loch Eport, motoring
13.30 Anchor in 3.4 M at head of Loch Eport, SSE 4/6
pm Walk to shops, rather miserable weather, wind/shower, prevented expedition to the pub for supper
Log 27.3 miles

Tuesday 3rd August - Loch Eport anchorage, North Uist

08.15 Weigh anchor, SSE 4, gray & misty, motor out to Deer island anchorage
09.30 Anchor off Deer island, SSW 2/3
14.10 Motor out of Loch Eport after expedition ashore to stalk deer & view Eagle
14.40 Close hauled for Fladday, SW 3/2, Main + Genoa
16.10 Anchor between Haunaray, Ronaybeg and Floodaymore 6M after wondering around the small sounds
Log 10.1 miles

Wednesday 4th August - Flodday anchorage, North Uist

07.35 Weigh anchor, poor anchorage in tideway, NxW 3/4, motor out of sund to head South
08.00 Sailing against a strong tide, Sun, high clouds, Main + boomed out Genoa
09.10 N 4, Sailing at 5/6 knots but only making 4 over the ground
10.10 Off Skipport having come inshore to avoid the tide, reach out again
11.20 Main only, NxE 4, Sun, high clouds, on track for Ordaig Point
12.05 NxE 4(5)Main + boomed out Genoa
13.35 Anchor in Acairseid Mhor, Eriskay after motoring in on leading marks (not on chart), excellent harbour
pm Walk around north island good shop in village
Log 31.7 miles

Thursday 5th August - Acairseid Mhor, Eriskay, Sound of Barra

08.20 Weigh anchor, motor out heading for Canna, ESE 3, overcast, Main raised
10.30 Main + motor
11.00 Wind veering a little Main + Genoa
12.30 Motoring avain, E 3, Sun, 3 Basking sharks sighted
13.40 Anchor in Canna harbour, Red Throated Diver, Eiders, Black Guillimots, shot walk on Sanday but Skuas nesting
Log 27.7 miles

Friday 6th August - Canna harbour anchorage

07.05 Weigh anchor, heading for Soay, SxE 5/6, Genoa only, overnight rain clearing
10.45 S 4/5, Main + Genoa
11.30 Passing through Soay sound, S 3/4, Genoa only
12.35 Anchor in Loch Scavaig behind Glas island, short walk up L Cornisk, Quite dramatic & surprisingly populous
Log 15 miles

Saturday 7th August - Loch Scavaig anchorage, Skye

07.05 Weigh anchor heading for Sound of Mull, E 1/2/3, high clouds, motor + Main
08.10 Very good visibility, Ordaig Pt in west & Ben Nevis? in south east, ENE 3, motor off
09.15 S 1, motor on
09.45 E 3, sailing between Rhum & Eigg, Whale watching
11.00 Just past Eigg, heading for E Muck, SE 4/5, Sun, 2 reefs in Main + motor
13.20 Ardnamurchan Pt rounded,now beating, SSE,E 2/5 overcast, motor sail
15.40 Visit Loch Droma Buidhe (too big!)
16.10 Drop anchor on east side of Oronsay in a cove on mainland (Loch Sunart), many Seals
21.00 Very peaceful evening, calm, Seals have gone fishing, Terns have gone to bed
Log 47.2 miles

Sunday 8th August - East Oronsay anchorage, "Seal cove". Loch Sunart

09.40 Weigh anchor, leaving a sunny warm cove to venture forth to f/c gales, ESE 4(5), 3 reefs + Genoa
10.25 Approaching Auliston Pt, ESE gusting 30 knots
10.55 Genoa down, motor + main on a dead beat in the Sound of Mull
11.35 ESE 6(7), tacking occasionally
12.30 Off Glasa Islands, 13.10 Anchor in Fishnish bay for lunch, calm & sheltered, hot!
14.25 Weigh anchor to battle on slowly, ESE 5/6/7, motor + 3 reefs
15.50 Off Ridire, heading for Lady's Rock, NW Lismore ng, ESE 7, Sun
16.40 Roundinf Lady light, at least progress was made for that leg! E 5/6, hazy Sun
18.30 Entering Loch Creran, managed to sail a bit up to entrance
19.15 Pick up our mooring at Barcaldine, E 5/6(7)
20.30 Wind too strong to unload, S 3 heavy rain
Log 41.2, chart 35.2 miles

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