We met Leon (www.reginasailing.com) in Oban had a dinner at with the rest of the crew and turned in early for leaving the next day. A splendid sail amongst medieval castles and a really wild nature towards Tobermory where we had dinner at the famous "The Fish."

Next day, pretty gray and rainy towards Loch Moidart where we anchored beneath another pittoresk castle ruin. Some food and sauna - yes, the Hallberg-Rassy has a sauna installed in the cockpit.

Then beating to Coll the next day in nice weather, for more delicious food and a Scottish beer or two.

Next day to Staffa and Fingal's Cave, looking like something Sauron in The Lord of the Rings could have lived in. From there to Iona Abbey and nunnery where many a Scottish chieftain and king is buried. It is said to the place on Earth that is closest to Heaven.

Anchor in Rubha nam Maol Mora, a small bay on our way to Lagavulin - the famous whiskey distillery. Very tricky navigation, and learned a lot.

Next day to Ardfern for victualling and dinner.

Last day motoring in beautiful weather through some nasty tidal streams which demanded some precise calculations in order to time our passages.

Late afternoon July 24th we berthed in Kerrera, still in beautiful weather. If this is typical for the west of Scotland I would not dream sailing anywhere else. The well known maritime writer Tom Cunliffe turned out to be our berthing neighbour. We shared some wine and snacks and he absolutely confirmed our experiences.

Those of you that know this area will probably just nick your heads confirming our impression. But the thing is that we met very few yachts on this trip. Those we saw were all sails.