This was a place I had personally wanted to visit ever since I made a Songs of Praise for the BBC in Campbeltown. Part of the research for the programme had revealed that as an Island Gigha got more sun than anywhere else in the UK. But I was also intrigued by the fact that the Island is now owned by the people who live on it, and not subject to an absentee landlord like a lot of property in Scotland.
It did more than meet my expectation when I did finally visit it.
We had left Ardfern and were on a return trip to our base in Largs. The weather was very blowy and the waves were up by about 1 meter. By the time we arrived at Gigha all on board were ready for a short break. The island offered us great shelter from the south westerly that was blowing up a treat by now, around 6 -7 on the scale. So we picked up a mooring and went ashore.
It was fabulous. The sea water was crystal clear so that you could sea the bottom no problem and the food we got served when we went ashore was fantastic. We wandered around and it is a clean island … no rubbish on the roads and everyone was friendly.
A couple of hours was not enough however and soon we had to head back to the boat if we were going to get round the Mull safely. Thats another story however. If there is nothing else one does in life – a visit to Gigha is worth whatever it takes to get there.; I loved it.
Thanks all those who make Gigha a very special place to visit, and yes while there were storms all around us.. it was sunshine on Gigha.
A slide show…”oh no” I hear you cry, still, I know its not as impressive as video but I only had a stills camera to hand when suddenly this Minke whale appeared alongside. It was feeding of a pool of Krill and seemed oblivious to our presence. I thought these stills were well worth posting as a slide show, so that others could enjoy the whale moment. On recent charters we have been lucky to see a pod of three Minke – mother and baby swimming at about a distance of 500ft away and then when we stopped to look, father appeared in front of us and very close to the boat at about 30ft away. He obviously wanted to let us know that we were close enough to his family and that this was as close as we should go. We watched for about 15 minutes and he stayed between us and the family all the time we watched. It was really awesome to experience. Eventually we turned to go and almost ran straight into a school of dolophins. What a day. Of course no video and no stills to prove what happened. You’ll have to take my word.
Im really enjoying my new tank. The fish are really fun to watch and the plants are all taking well to their new home. There is a strange thing with people who keep fish and its that they all know better than you (in their forceful opinions). I understand people only want to help, but in trying to make sure nothing goes wrong for you and in trying to help they almost manage to make the tank theirs with their rules and stuff. However saying that I do listen to them but then just get on with what I want to do in the tank and if -I get it wrong- then at least I learn by experience. So far all is good water has 0 nitrate (no pollution from waste) and has a 7.0ph (acidic water) reading on the meter. Im running the temp at 25 deg and all is looking mighty fine. I hope you enjoy the video…more to come.
What a day for traveling to Largs in Ayrshire from Edinburgh in West Lothian (1.30 hrs) and then cleaning the Jet Rib and ‘Louise’. It rained when I set off; it rained for the trip; it rained during the cleaning. Soaked to the skin and beginning to chill to the bone I then thought “why not video it all and share it” I did make myself laugh trying to avoid the rain drops on the lens… the point of filming was that it was raining DUH! I had completed a full systems check on the big boat and all was well, however it was only when I decided to get a shot of the wipers doing their thing that they decided to stop working…..DOH . Well on we go. At least the boat and the rib were immaculate by the time I had finished cleaning and then I decided I’d sort the wiper out another day……
Took some time out from the boat charter company to set up a tropical fish tank. Lots of help from my daughter and her boyfriend in getting it all together but also the total support of my very understanding wife. The tank is still very young but I will try to do better video and more video as it develops. Water, plants, fish, it’s all important in getting the tank to work.
Apart from my daughters birth and my wedding day, this day was truly paradise on earth. Our yacht charter arrived at Loch Tarbet in Jura. Loch Tarbet is a loch system of 5 pools that almost dissect the Island of Jura into two parts. On the shore of the third of these “loch pools” there sits a bothy – a refuge for travellers and animals when the weather is foul. On this boat charter my guests included two of my brothers, their partners and my glorious wife. We set up a barbecue and just reveled in the isolation and beauty we had found here on Jura. The food was good, the chat was fun, the location was perfect and the price was right.
Another glorious yacht charter to Skye. This was my first time in Scavaig on the south west coast of Skye and it won’t be my last. A very safe haven for boats it also had seals, mountains and an extraordinary fresh water loch which was situated just above the level of the sea. Its waters run down as a cascade waterfall into the sea water below. Its days like this that make running a charter yacht in Scotland worth the effort.
This was a really good day chartering. It is always very special when we sail near this island group of Eigg, Muck, and Rhum on the west coast of Scotland. The weather was fantastic and the boat was running like a dream. Suddenly the cry went up …Shark! Sure enough it was a large basking shark feeding alongside the boat. We were all amazed by this marvelous creature of the sea as it drifted along effortlessly with its giant mouth open catching its lunch. What a unique treat.
This was a great day out and the Island of Rhum was magnificent. Our clients went ashore to discover the charms of Rhum for themselves. They came back to the boat very happy and full of that mystical quality that makes visiting Scottish Isles a unique experience. The residents are charming, the scenery is stunning and the overall effect is infectious and leaves you only wanting more.
We set out from Tobermory, having had a good breakfast aboard charter yacht ‘Louise’. It wasn’t long before we had rounded the sometimes treacherous Ardnamurchan Point with its dominating lighthouse. The Island of Muck was our first stop and our charter guests went ashore for a delightful afternoon tea, a brisk walk, a visit to a seal colony and a stop in at the craft shop. Then with bags loaded with locally produced lamb and others goods we set off to our overnight harbour and the scenic shelter of a mooring in Arisaig.
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I did make myself laugh trying to avoid the rain drops on the lens… the point of filming was that it was raining DUH! I had completed a full systems check on the big boat and all was well, however it was only when I decided to get a shot of the wipers doing their thing that they decided to stop working…..DOH . Well on we go. At least the boat and the rib were immaculate by the time I had finished cleaning and then I decided I’d sort the wiper out another day……