Tern's Travels

The passage from Gigha to Oban goes up the Sounds of Jura and Luing and passed the notorious Corryvreckan channel, so timing the tide is vital. The wind was light E, gradually going S and we were able to leave the anchorage in the morning against the tide, catching the north going stream for the passage through Luing Sound where the tide can be particularly strong. It was overcast, the Paps of Jura were always covered by cloud and we had to motor part of the 46NM passage but it was, nevertheless, a super day. We clocked 9 knots going passed Fladda light at the north end of Luing!
Arriving in Oban and going to the marina on Kerrera, we were greeted by the sight of Mascotte and Ellie Hughes took our lines. Mascotte, a large and beautiful Bristol Pilot Cutter, is a frequent visitor to Falmouth and Stella has twice sailed on her to Gloucester from Falmouth. A gale went through while we were there but no matter, Oban turned out to be very sociable. We had Mascotte next to us as well as friend on shore who is a legendary adventure sea kayaker, having done amongst many, the passage from the Shetland Isles to Norway! We had a great evening with him and his family.
We finally left Oban on 17th May to head for Corpach and the Caledonian Canal. However, we stopped a night at the Glencoe Boat Club at the invitation of Stella’s boyfriend’s parents and had a walk into Glencoe village, a trip down memory lane as we had spent so much time in the area in our climbing days. We really enjoyed meeting Sue and Hilary Watson and sailing into Glencoe under the Ballachullish Bridge with a mere 2-3 m clearance for the mast.