SV Kiviuq

We are back in Bonnie Scotland, and Scotland is at its bonniest. We spent our first night (Thursday night) at anchor on the north side of the entrance to West Loch Tarbert on the island of Jura in the Inner Hebrides. It was a very peaceful spot, the only sounds being the calls of the loons and the indignant snorting of a resident grey seal. Yesterday morning (Friday) we woke to bright sunshine, blue skies and a gentle breeze out of the NNW and made our way the short distance to the northern entrance to the Sound of Islay to catch the south-going tidal stream. For those with an interest in Scotland's greatest product these names Islay and Jura will be familiar. In the Sound of Islay we passed two distilleries on the Islay shore, including the well-known Caol Isla, and we were within just a few miles of several more (among which were Bowmore, Lagavulin and Laphroig). This had something of the sense of a pilgrimage. After clearing the south end of the sound the northerly breeze began to be felt and we were able to set the blast reacher with the full main. The sight of that reacher unfurling on its Karver furling gear was just another delight to the senses. After playing in the sound for a while we eventually rounded the SW tip of the Mull of Kintyre and made eastwards for the anchorage on the northern side of the island of Sanda. This gives a splendid view in all directions except south, so we see the island of Ailsa Craig and the hills of Arran in the Firth of Clyde to the east and north, and looking west we see the SW tip of the Mull of Kintyre, Rathlin Island and the northern coasts of Ireland. Consequently in the evening we were treated to an original "sunset on fire" of Paul McCartney and Wings fame. Today we plan to sail into the Firth of Clyde with the possibility of anchoring somewhere on the Arran shore tonight. The greater plan is to gradually make our way to Kip Marina on the eastern side of the north end of the Firth of Clyde, not far from Glasgow. Kiviuq will winter there while the various jobs are done and the adjustments and modifications made that the shakedown cruise to Iceland has revealed a need for.