This is the story of 11 men, 1 woman and half a million sea birds! It's not often you get the chance to sail around the west coast of Scotland.The days are just begining to shrink in September and for me, it's always the first reminder that the door is slowly closing in on summer. This call to the islands by Tony was just the tonic, and when asked if I would like to join the 'Motley Crew' I jumped at the chance.

From Adrossan to Holy Loch was to be the first leg of our intrepid journey. After introductions and a beer, we set sail from Adrossan Marina under a sky the colour of a nasty bruise. However, rain was chasing landlubbers on this day as we followed the western coast aboard the 50ft Yacht 'Cuchulainn'. If you don't know this history behind the 'Mad Dog of Cuchilainn' then I can recommend a book I read many years ago under the same title, 'The Mad Dog of Cuchulainn', here's a link to a brief history of this infamous mad warrior!

The strange thing about the Scottish Islands for me, is that even those I've yet to visit, such as 'Harris' and 'Lewis' in the outer Hebrides, have always held a strange fasination, almost like home sickness, Traveling up through Great Cumrae Island passing Largs, we began to enjoy views of the wildlife including; Basking Sharks and small Porpoise! Jane, our cook, sailor, guide and helper of all things, explained how infrequent sightings of Basking Sharks have now become in the Firth of Clyde, so we were very lucky.

We were even more lucky when lunch was served on board the boat by Jane and Niall. It all hit the spot and after a light beverage and four hours sailing under motor power we arrived at Holy Loch which was to be our destination for the night. A beautiful evening greeted us as we sailed into the Loch. The water was calm in this lovely shelter, not that we'd had much sailing, as the wind was hiding for most of that day.

Starboard was fine, but the Port was off!
We stepped ashore-four of us, Derek, Peter, Mark and me (not good English, but neither was the Taxi driver's) all of us sleeping ashore in a strange Hotel called the 'Cot'. The menu for evening was even stranger. No less than twenty main dishes to choose from. Still, we made the most of the offerings, while enjoying a few drinks before and after, although the Port was off I'm told! I have to say the rooms were very, very, clean, even if the view outside was of a Petrol Station!

Those who were sleeping aboard the 'Cuchulainn', Tony, Alastair, Chris, Rupert, Mark and David, plus Niall and Jane (our sailing crew) all seemed to have faired well on broad. The morning was a little more breezy as we moved out of Holy Loch a few long grey waves greeted us as we headed down the Loch and then up towardsthe island of Bute. There were many small birds floating on the water, like white flecks, flicked from a painter's brush. They bobbed along as we made our way towards the narrow mouth of the Loch that twists around the rump of Bute, A fine looking place where my wife once had a pen friend, (not my rump, I mean Bute!).Cap'n Chris took the Helm and sailed us expertly through the narrow waters around Bute and then pass 'Skipness Point' and on towards'Tarbet' our second port of call.

Tarbet greets the 'Love Boat'

The view as you enter into Tarbet's natural bay is absolutely stunning. The castle to your left, the islands to your right and the shops and houses of the fishing village all brightly painted reminding me of 'Tobemory'! or 'Balamoray', what ever you prefer!

We took a hike up to the castle, Derek, Tony, Rupert, Mark, Mark and me! It was a great view down into the village and you'll notice we took lots of pictures. You'll also have noticed from many of the images, that men get lost deep in thought when at sea! I should point out at this stage that many of the stunning photographs on these pages were taken by Alastair White, a dab hand with a mobile phone! Thank you Alastair.

After a wash and brush up, we made our way from our digs for the evening 'The Victoria' a yellow building that offered a small room for two to share, but again with clean bedding.

We all met at a restaurant whose name I cannot recall (could be due to all that wine), which is a shame, as the food was superb. I had the Monkfish with Capers, Mark sitting next to me enjoyed a whole Sea Bream which looked gorgeous and smelt delicious. We drank a great deal of wine that night and it really was the perfect way to spend the last night ashore. We all staggered into the bar next door and enjoyed a few more nights- caps before finally returning back to the 'Victoria', while the rest of the group made their way to 'Cuchilainn'.

The next morning was a very strange affair and I'm not wishing to pour scorn over one morning's breakfast experience, but let's just say the chef who was press-ganged into serving breakfast the next morning, made it very clear to us all that he didn't want to be there! His rudeness was almost comical. Still, it didn't spoil our trip to Tarbet, not at all, just making it all the more memorable!

The Bizmark

It was the two Marks and Rupert who took turn to sail us back to Ardrossan on our final day at sea. There was good wind this day as we set sail making good water (nortical term) as we raced across the Firth of Clyde passing the south of Arran, a beautiful Island where I've enjoyed many happy holidays. There are many Neolithic and Viking remains on this lovely island which are worth exploring. I watched the Gannets half folding their wings as they dived into the sea, then popping back to the surface and back up on a wing swallowing mackerel no doubt! I've heard it said that a Gannett can swallow up to four mackerel in a single dive! Soon we were sailing away from the familiar shape of Arran with it's broad shoulders and mist shrouded summits. Boats passed us in all directions as we neared Adrossan and the end of our journey.

This was a great weekend spent in good company with fine food and wine while at sea. Niall and Jane did a smashing job looking after everyone and I felt some green envy knowing that they would be heading back to the tranquility of Tarbet that very same evening.

These words describe my weekend and are not the views of the entire party although I know for sure that everyone had a great time! One word of warning though-never go to Hamilton!

Keith

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I plan to include other areas I enjoy walking, but as this site is still very new, the other pages are still to be added.