Inverary and Loch Fyne

Starting at Inverary, we awoke to an early morning mist like a glacier flowing from upper Loch Fyne.

The sun soon burned through and we set about catching dinner.

Mackerel fillets ready for the smoker.

Followed by a gentle cruise down Loch Fyne past the ruins of old Castle Lachlan, which is undergoing some preservation.

To our overnight anchorage in Loch Gair.

September sun

We had a 2 night cruise to Port Ramsay at the north end of Lismore, and then to the pontoon at Lochaline.
After a bit of drizzle on the first day the sun appeared, and the youngest of our 3 generations on board led the way with an energetic leap off the pontoon.

Not to be shown up, the older generation indulged.

But the oldest generation upstaged them all. Who needs a wetsuit!

Caledonian Canal

We picked up our guests at Corpach Basin, just inside the sea lock, with 5 days to get into Loch Ness and back. The mass of  Ben Nevis dominates the view.

After a short section of canal the first serious ascent is the nine consecutive locks of Neptune's Staircase.

The canal is full of variety, but one of our favourite bits is the picturesque Laggan Avenue.

leading to the shallow Loch Oich, where red and green marks indicate the channel.

From there it is downhill all the way through Cullochy and Kytra locks. Locking down is much easier than locking up, but you still need to keep a careful eye on the warps to control the boat.

The descent to Loch Ness is the flight of 6 locks at Fort Augustus, which doubles as the main street of the town. A little shower didn't put off the spectators.

One night at Foyers in Loch Ness and then it was time to head back. As with Crinan Canal, the friendly efficiency of all the lock-keepers made the passage easy, and all went smoothly thanks to the first mate's directions from the foredeck.

Cruise to Carrick Castle

We had a one night cruise from Greenock so the obvious destination was Loch Goil, more like Alaska than the Firth of Clyde with steep hillsides covered in conifer forest.

We dropped anchor at Carrick Castle to enjoy the peace and quiet but Calum had other ideas.

And it was a perfect setting to listen to the pipes

A family day out to Millport, Isle of Great Cumbrae

We picked up from Largs Bay and cruised around Great Cumbrae to Millport.

Hot enough to swim.....

Andy takes the plunge

Lachie and Max are taken to slightly warmer water off the beach for their swim

Early June

Summer has finally arrived.  Long daylight hours and warm sunshine.

The view north from St Ninian's Bay, west coast of Bute.  Standing stones and the ruins of two chapels here are testament to Bute's early settlement and Christian history.

Family cruise May Bank Holiday

We left from James Watt Dock with good weather forecast for the weekend ahead.  It was the busiest we've seen the Clyde this year with many boats out enjoying the sunshine.

 We enjoyed a picnic on the north shore of Bute and the younger members of the family were kept busy gathering firewood and collecting shells.

 

Our final evening in Rothesay enjoying a drink on the after deck after dinner.

Garelochead

We spent a week between cruises anchored at Garelochead, next to Faslane submarine base. Interesting to watch all the comings and goings from there.

The weather stayed dry so we were able to get some varnishing done and were rewarded with this splendid sunset over the Arrochar Alps.

Queen Mary 2

We had a good view of the elegant Cunarder Queen Mary 2 from our anchorage in Kilchattan Bay, at the south end of Bute, as she sailed from the Greenock Cruise terminal.

May cruises

Mixed weather but at least we can look at the passing scenery and wildlife from the comfort of Chico's saloon.

And enjoy the company over a glass or two.

PS Waverley

You don't have to go far afield for stunning views. Anchored in Gourock Bay one evening we were treated to the sight of the Waverley making her way round to Garvel Drydock for some routine work.

Then the sunset over Holy Loch was spectacular.

One of the better spring days

The weather has been poor so far this season but it only takes a day like this to forget the rain.


Toward Point


 

CalMac Ferries MV Bute and MV Argyll cross on their route between Rothesay and Wemyss Bay

First cruise for 2013

It started wet and windy, but that didn't dampen our guests' enthusiasm.

 

We sheltered in the Kyles of Bute till the sun came out and the wind dropped, and then spent a glorious day at Lochranza on the north end of Arran, visiting Arran Distillery and getting up close to the local residents.

 

 

A good time was had by all.

 

Start of a new season

On our first trip down the Clyde from James Watt Dock we were buzzed by a police boat and then realised why. We had company.