Thursday 18th saw us motor up to Ardrishaig and into the Crinan Canal - "Scotland's prettiest shortcut". Although Scottish Canals have changed the way it works this year. Assisted passage is for everyone now, with staff to open all the locks. Great but reflected in a bit of a price hike. Entered with a catermaran we'd seen in Tarbert. They stopped after Lochgilphead for lunch whilst we carried on with the luxury of locks to ourselves. In June - the height of summer! All locks negotiated in (several) style(s) but soon settled back into the routine. Memories of helping Ruffian through three years ago (then going home, seeing BBH for sale and starting our own adventures). The same drizzle was still set in too. We stopped at lock 10/11, Dunadry, for the night. Very pretty but the midges were out! Continued on Friday morning with Stargazer, another buddy from Tarbert, with us. Stopped in Crinan basin for lunch then went out the sealock at 14.00. Marginal weather but so pleased to be back on the West Coast that we carried on. Good decision - sails up! Lovely sail then Gordon navigated a tricky route very well into a lovely anchorage at Torsa Beag in the Cuan Sound for the night.