It was really lovely to receive a postcard through the post with a poem written by our recent guests Joan and Bryan Howard
We are so pleased that Joan and Bryan enjoyed their cruise despite the severe weather disruption caused by storm Ali. We had to deploy an alternative itinerary in sheltered waters, but guests agreed that anchorages around the Sound of Mull are as beautiful as any to be found elsewhere in the Hebrides. Tobermory is a wonderful sheltered haven with lots to do and see and a land wildlife tour with Nature Scotland got rave reviews. The final evening at Loch a Choire helped to make up for the weather with a lovely sunset and scallops hand-dived in the loch by Skipper Rob.
The weather made it challenging to spot wildlife too. However, Wildlife Guide Nigel Spencer captured this excellent shot of a very young White Tailed Eagle, probably only about 4 or 5 months old, off the coast of Morvern. It had been moved on by its parents to find its own way in the world and still had to develop its distinctive white tail feathers which can take a year or more.
Hi It has taken some time to get around to writing this review - partly because I moved house 10 days after returning from my adventure! I thought long and hard about 'to go or not to go' and eventually took the plunge finally having chance to set foot on Hirta - the island I had first heard about some 30 years before - it was amazing to be there - and on Canna and Sanday, Harris, Vatersay, Rhum and the rest. The food was incredible and the fact that so much care and attention was taken of individual difficulties and allergies was such a relief as I was never worrying if something I abhorred or could eat would turn up on the table! Our skipper (Chris) and Bosun (Craig) were a wealth of knowledge and information which they shared freely and being allowed into the wheelhouse to see Hirta on the horizon and to be able to find out about lighthouse flashes, shipping lanes, navigation and weather reports was fascinating. I have never seen people work so hard and yet maintain such a pleasant, courteous and helpful manner. I had a wonderful time - basking sharks, Minke whales, dolphin bow racing, sea eagles, puffins and wild otter as well as the wild deer on Rhum - magical! I have come back with a diary and head full of memories and an i pad full of photos as well as the deep desire to save my pennies and adventure off again at some future date. Thank you, thank you for making my dreams come true
Una McLean: 16 July 2018St Kilda and the isles of the Outer Hebrides