Cruise to Coll

Noughts and crosses on Sorisdale beach

One of a dozen basking sharks seen off Coll.  This one surprised
us by swimming close to the bow.

Approaching our anchorage in Crossapol Bay,  south end of Coll

Sorisdale Bay, NE coast of Coll

Sorisdale Bay

West Highland Yachting Week

For the 2012 regatta the organising committee invited Chico to be one of the support boats.  We hosted 8 members of the committee for 6 days.  A race team includes a timekeeper, a gunner, spotters, recorders and flag officers, all supervised by a race officer.  The regatta takes place over 6 days and includes passage races from Craobh Marina to Oban, Oban to Tobermory and back, plus races around buoys and islands. 114 yachts participated. A splendid event, slickly organised and greatly enjoyed by both the competitors and organising committee.

Yachts mustering before the start.

 

Race team assembled to record
race finishers.
 

The Race Officer checking that no yacht crosses the line before the
starting gun.  The start line is between Chico and the black buoy in
the background.

The fleet bunching up through the narrows between Lismore and Port Appin.

Tobermory

No cruise up the West Coast is complete without a stop at Tobermory, even if it's just for fish and chips from the van at the Fish Pier.

Cruise to Loch Sunart and the Island of Coll

Sunset, Loch na Droma Buidhe

Scots pines,  Rubha an Daimh, Loch Sunart.  Laudale House in
the background on the southern shore.



On the way from Kilchoan, Ardnamurchan, to Coll



On the jetty at Arinagour, Coll

Fishing in Lochs Crinan and Craignish



Off Eilean na Gabhar, Loch Craignish

 

First bite, Loch Crinan



Preparing the catch (9 mackerel) for smoking

 

Ardfern, Loch Craignish



Dresssed over all for the Diamond Jubilee. At anchor, Ardfern Yacht Centre.

Gigha

Bagh na Doirlinne,  a favourite lunchtime anchorage of Royal Yacht Britannia
when she cruised the Western Isles

Photograph taken in 3ft of water from the tender, Bagh Rubha Ruaidh, Gigha

Gigha sunset