Basking Sharks make this Skye Cruise extra special

Skye and the Inner Hebrides 6-night cruise 17^th August 2013

Skipper’s Log, The Glen Tarsan

 

Departing from Oban, the first overnight anchorage for the cruise was sheltered Loch Spelve on Mull where red deer were spied on the surrounding hills. The following morning we set off to nearby Duart Bay for a visit to Duart Castle, the seat of Clan Maclean.  The visit was made complete by the presence of a White Tailed Eagle circling overhead and a fun loving Otter swimming near the tender boat on the approach to the castle, disembarking on the beach under the dramatic silhouette of the castle. 

Back on board, a short journey up the Sound of Mull allowed lunch at anchor in pretty Loch Aline.  Afterwards guests enjoyed a one-way stroll along the lochside, conveniently getting dropped off and picked up by boat tender.  Then it was a short hop to Tobermory for the night.

After breakfast on Monday, there was time to explore Mull’s famous capital before sailing for the Island of Eigg for a lunch stop before heading off again, this time to remote Inverie for a pint in the Old Forge. In the afternoon we reached Isleornsay on the Sleat Peninsula on Skye, before heading to Loch Alsh for an outstanding anchorage for the night at Eilean Donan Castle.

The next day there was ample time to explore the castle before cruising south again to Loch Hourn, and a walk at Arnisdale where two herds of Red Deer were spotted.  We then returned to Isleornsay to anchor for the night, with the added bonus of a lovely sighting of 8 Dolphins on the way, with the plan of rounding the point of Sleat to get a good view of the Cuillins the following day.  Wednesday started out wet and cloudy but we reached Loch Scavaig for our lunchtime anchorage.  There, a change in the weather provided magical theatre for all on board as the low cloud lifted to reveal a breathtaking and unforgettable view of the Cuillins.  The afternoon weather was gloriously sunny with no wind as we left Skye to cruise to the Island of Canna and the anchorage for the night.

On Thursday there was time for a walk on Canna before cruising to the Isle of Rum, with views of Kinloch Castle and then on to the Island of Muck. It was in these waters that the most spectacular wildlife of the cruise was seen, with close encounters with a pod of at least 12 Basking Sharks, much to the delight of all on board. Guests went ashore at Port Mor on Muck taking a coastal walk and visiting craft shops in the warm sunshine. In the late afternoon we left Muck for Loch Na Droma Buidhe (Loch Drumbuie) on the mouth of Loch Sunart , a sheltered and picturesque anchorage for the night on the coast of Morvern.  The next morning we cruised down the Sound of Mull to Oban and disembarking.

The onboard chef was Steve Boswell and here is a selection of some of his meals provided to guests:

·         Stuffed mackerel in gooseberry sauce

·         Poached lemon sole with Argyll smoked prawns and mussels,

·         “Surf and Turf” with Angus beef and local king scallops

·         A curry night with Argyll hill lamb and almond curry, chicken and coconut korma, vegetarian tikka and homemade nans and pickles.

Desserts included strawberry and apple cheesecake with chocolate digestive base and coconut panacotta with bananas and mango