Orkney to Kinlochbervie - NW Scotland
Jammy Dodger
Neil Martin
Mon 5 Jul 2010 16:42
Monday 21 June.
Now just Jan, Nick, Sarah and George on board for the rest of the leg to
Stornoway. Lazy day in Stromness and Scapa Flow. Took the local bus into
Kirkwall, had a look around the cathederal and museum. Sadly the Orange
Internet connection on the boat is no longer working, but found a nice cafe
with wifi and got the forecast.
The B&G wind instruments had been increasingly giving false readings since
Bergen and now the wind speed was stuck on zero. We suspected the connector
at the top of the mast, so George was hauled up to investigate. Definitely
a faulty connector, but unable to fix. Spent the night at anchor in Scapa
Flow by the Churchill barriers in sight of the Italian Chapel. Great meal
on board, Orkney Gold fillet steak, definitely the best steak ever.
Tuesday 22 June.
Early 5am start for the 80 mile hop around the north of Scotland, flat calm
and misty. Decided to take the southern exit out of Scapa Flow through the
"Merry men of Mey" tidal rips. Total no-go area for small boats according to
the pilot guides. In the event we just saw a few tidal swirls. Lots of
puffins, allowing the boat to come very close before plopping under the
surface.
By 9am the mist cleared and the sun came out. Very little wind, so mainly
under engine. The pilot guide mentioned some spectacular bird breeding
cliffs at "Clo Mor" just before Cape Wrath, so we came in close, and were
surrounded by guillemots, razor bills and puffins.
At 18.00 we moored up in Kinlochbervie, an old fishing harbour tucked away
in a loch.
