Gigha and Islay
Escapade of Rame
Richard & Julie Farrington
Wed 22 Jun 2016 21:19
We spent The Longest Day of 2016 at Gigha, in the Sound of Jura. We
moved from anchor at Druimyeon Bay to a buoy in Ardminish Bay so that we could
get ashore and explore. On arrival there we watched a solo yachtsman in
his Rustler 36 struggling to pick up a buoy on his own in winds of around 20
knots, so I set off in the rubber boat to help. Got pretty wet in the
process, but that could be us one day...
We then took a weeks worth of washing ashore, onto to find that the
facilities were shut for the day. The washing machine appeared available
for use, but was accompanied by stern signs requiring the owner to be ‘on site’
before any pesky Yachties touched the controls. So we rang... Just as well
really; the thing has a mind of its own, starts with the spin cycle and then
tends to shut down halfway through the wash. Needs a washing machine
scientist for any sort of result, so we sought alternatives...
The hotel looked promising, but they clearly could not see the commercial
opportunity here. Instead, we nodded off over a cup of tea, only to be
woken by the sound of a Mr Softee ice cream machine bursting into life in the
corner of the room. Clearly descended from the same machine manufacturer
resident elsewhere on the island, we sought refuge in the Achamore
Gardens.
More success here. Not quite as luxuriant as Tresco or Glengarriff,
their faded glory was actually very peaceful and uplifting. The views from
the top of the hill above the house (14 bedrooms, £900,000 ono if you are
interested) were uplifting and a well placed bench allowed me to complete the
sleep so rudely interrupted by the ice cream machine.
Today we sailed from Gigha and enjoyed an excellent early morning reach
across to Islay, getting a gentle lift from the tide and the boat thriving in
around 15 knots of southerly breeze. We picked up a visitors buoys off the
Ardbeg Distillery late morning and ventured ashore to see what all the
fuss is about.
Excellent, seafood-based lunch and then a really interesting tour, where we
learnt as much about the ebb and flow of the industry and whisky marketing as we
did about the nectar itself. Throw in a tasting and (lunch aside) the
afternoon’s entertainment cost a princely £5 each. Fantastic. We now
own a very expensive bottle, sat in the corner of the saloon daring us to open
it...
... and a plan to visit Lagavulin tomorrow on our way to Loch Tarbert on
Jura.
Current position is 55:38:3N 6:06.3W |