Clive, Chris and I set off about two o’clock in August a few years ago on ‘Tintin’. We left from Clive’s mooring at Arisaig. Heading south with a light SW’ly breeze with a fair tide, towards Skye. Having a lovely dryish sail. I’m only saying that because we ended up in the Sound of Sleat. This pronounced Sleet in Scottish; because it can be very wet there.
We ended up anchored in Isleoronsay (this is the name of the village because it’s close to an island called Oronsay!). Whilst we were visiting Skye; it was interesting to spot Princess Anne and her husband heading in with their yacht. Just after we’d arrived. They often cruise the west coast between her multiple State engagements. They choose not to moor in our bay at Oronsay. By heading to another bay slightly further north; at Duisdale House Hotel.
This wasn’t surprising idea, because the forecast didn’t look at all promising with fresh to strong westerlies coming overnight. Many other cruising yachts were heading in for overnight shelter. Lovely? bagpipe music was coming from an old wooden yawl welcoming boats in as the day wore on.
Another boat called ‘Why Not’ on a mooring close to us began to pique our interest. She was an old 26ft. Westerly Centaur from the 70’s. Down by the bow she was looking very lost. Someone local had fitted solar cells. Her main hatch was open enough which allowed many birds to use the cabin.
Having read many articles about the difficulties and expense of disposing of old GRP boats from the past. Particularly from my pal who tries to save ‘em. We began to wonder if ‘Why Not’ was in fact a local why’d up? Highland’s local humour. You probably need a good sense of humour, if you live in this Sound because it’s a very wet place in winter.
Clive re-visited this harbour with ‘Tintin early the next season. He mentioned that ‘Why Not’ far from being the local ‘Wagtail Hotel’. She had become a ‘Lobster Motel’ for a while. She certainly looks much worse; now she’s been re-floated! Another mate mentioned recently she’s now adorned with a huge Red duster (normal British ships or yachts ensign; rather than a Blue one and a Red and White which the RN uses). This was put up in the middle of the night! It’s this type of great Craic, that makes cruising here even more fun…
After this we headed north with the tide and ended up in Plockton. Having no set goals always makes cruising more fun. The next day we headed further north again using the tide to the Gairloch; and ending up picking up a mooring at Badachro. Being lucky enough to know most of these places; but only superficially from examining students for their yachting tickets. Normally in much colder, wetter and windier weather in Spring or fall! It’s always much more fun; when you’re relaxed and having a jolly with your pals etc.
We began to head back south towards Clive’s mooring. Stopping at Plockton again overnight. Chris and Clive were both retired, but I was still flat out coaching, delivering sailing; or trying to spend some time with my wife. After a fast trip under Skye Bridge. We had a minor engine issue when running out of diesel in the Stb. fuel tank. Ending up having to sail into Arisaig which is not ideal. It’s quite a rocky narrow harbour.
Arriving at 1710 after using some very big tides. This gave us a day’s grace to fix this fuel problem. Including my road travel it had been an excellent fun nine days break. ‘Tintin’ being a practical, comfy French Aluminium 43ft cruising yacht. A yacht you could take anywhere with her lifting Keel and Rudder.
Very unfortunately it was Clive and I’s last wonderful cruise together. We hadn’t gone far but you don’t need to on the west coast because it’s such a wonderful cruising ground in summer. He knew that he had stage three cancer, and we lost him the next season. Being a big hearted and clever Scotsman, he’d lived his life mostly flat out anyway. But I’ll always miss him as folks like him don’t come round everyday…
