Some of the peace had gone well before it was time to get up. A light wind (about F3) caused enough swell to make me get up a couple of times and check that we were still in the same place. We left after our normal lazy breakfast, finding this was easier when the tide was not full (and we had found the leading mark on the shore yesterday).
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| Dutchman’s Cap |
We sailed past the island called Dutchman’s Cap (because of its strange shape) and then past Staffa, with a brief diversion to take photos of the tall ship Europa, which looked very fine with all sails set. I think she must be a participant in the Tall Ships Race, which left the Clyde on 12 July. If so she is not trying to be competitive, just doing a bit of sightseeing on the way. We had earlier seen another smaller ship in the distance which looked like the Excelsior from Lowestoft. It would be nice to visit Fingal’s cave on Staffa, but I am not happy with the anchoring place, however good the weather.
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| Europa, dawdling on the Tall Ships Race |
We anchored in Gometra’s North Harbour (called Arcaseid Mor like many other natural harbours) just before the rain started. As this is supposed to be a popular spot I was surprised to see no other boats were present. Later took a walk along the rough track which serves as the only road across the island, eventually reaching the bridge to Ulva. The bridge is only wide enough for a quad bike so we think that most things come and go by water.
Later 4 more boats joined us, so it is popular as the book says. Not sure where to go tomorrow – the weather is deteriorating a bit and we have at last got the forecast from the coastguard.
Follow the
track on Google Maps
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| Fingal’s Cave, Staffa |
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| Acarseid Mor or North Harbour, Gometra |
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| Ulva on Left, Gometra on Right and the old causeway |
