Shelduck
Lochs Craignish and Crinan
We were very sorry to learn that our good friends on Seol na Mara had struck a rock outside Lagavulin, and that the boat was ashore there for inspection and repair. The existence of a GRP boatbuilder there seems to have been a well kept secret – but extremely handy in the circumstances. Our own passage north from Islay was exciting, with a quartering Force 6/7 wind and favourable tide, speeding us over the 40 miles to Crinan. We anchored off the sea lock, but the anchor picked up a huge mass of kelp and dragged. After clearing it we settled for the easy option of a mooring, which gave us better shelter. Before leaving the next day there was time for the Skipper to climb a hill and the Mate to walk along the canal to Bellanoch. The short trip up to Puilladobhrain (Otter’s Pool) took 3 hours with a following wind gusting to 35 knots – just touching gale force. The anchorage is beautifully sheltered, the sun is shining but the strong wind continues.