Ireland to Scotland.Port Ellen to Crinion.
Trip Start
Jul 26, 2009
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2
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Trip End
Aug 02, 2009
Port Ellen, Scotland, United Kingdom
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Wed 29th July.
I was up reasonable early and after some breakfast took a stroll around town.There was very little to be seen as Port Ellen is a small enough place.
We left Port Ellen at 1000 hrs heading for the Crinan Canal.Gigha Island was off our starboard and the Sound of Islay on our port side.
It was a pleasant sail up the Sound of Jura.There were several sail boats in view all heading in different directions.
I was actually surprised there were so many out and about compared to how many you see normally in Ireland.
All the Scottish Irish names were very interesting. For example Eilean Mor, Dubh Sgeir, Eilean na Cille and many more.
We were a bit disappointed that we didn't have the time to go through the Gulf of Corryvreckan,it which is just north of the Isle of Jura.It is probably the most dangerous piece of water way in the world and only to be attempted in slack water in mild conditions. The whirlpool itself is known as "The Hag".
We topped up with diesel in Crinan and were lucky enough to make it into the second Lough for the night.
The first couple of Loughs are automatic and manned and the rest are manual as they were 200 years ago.
I was surprised at the cost of the transit, €100 which I thought to be a bit steep.
The scenery from Crinan was fantastic but the midges were a right curse.
The Skipper did us the honour of cooking the grub and later on we went to the Crinan Hotel for a few scoops.
The Scots like their hooch and we met a few fellow travellers on the way back to the boat.
They recommended Portvadie instead of Tarbert if we were stopping down the coast as well as several pubs on the canal itself.
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