Intrepid Travels

The rain has hardly eased for the last 48 hours and we have kept our water tanks full with the rain collection system on our cockpit roof. Our wind generator has been overworked with up to 39 knot winds and is keeping our batteries charged. The low pressure system passing over Scotland from Iceland has not yet moved through and it has been exciting to watch nature in the raw from the protection of Intrepid Elk. The isle of Rum is very mountainous and is one of nature's paradises. It is now a national nature reserve. Despite the weather, we have taken the dinghy ashore and had some spectacular walks. There are waterfalls everywhere with the water cascading down in torrents. Moss covers fallen tree trunks and there are birds everywhere. Despite our efforts we have been unable to find the otters who live here but we have had wonderful views of seals playing on the shoreline. There is no mobile phone coverage and the only 'connectivity' is the wifi available in the community hall. There is a tiny local community and any available service is paid for by honesty boxes. There is a very small shop/kiosk which is open a few hours a day, and sells basic supplies, and the 'Calmac' ferry arrives once a day bringing a few campers and wildlife enthusiasts. It feels very remote.