The Scottish Adventure
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| Tryal |
Ship's Log
Mon 19th July - left Grimsby by train for Aberdeen via Doncaster, Darlington and Edinburgh. Quick unpack and then back into Aberdeen for Mexican dinner.
Tues 20th - Early start planned, but engine stalled, so called out engineer to give all clear. Girls took opportuntity for a final shopping spree! Headed for Peterhead in good weather - no wind for sails. Minkie whale kept us company for a while.
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| Skipper Jon |
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| Shipmate Shirley |
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| 1st mate Deb |
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| Captain Birdseye |
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| Cabin girls Alice and Ebony |
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Wed 21st - Rain overnight and set off in choppy seas after filling up with fuel. Heading for Whitehills via Rattray Head. Sea soon deteriorated to gale force 6 and big swells - girls stayed down below while I hung on for dear life. Once past Fraserburgh, let out sails - Jon enjoyed himself - if no-one else! Arrived Whitehills 7 hours later - very compact harbour - couple of bumps as sea still rough. Rafted up to another yacht and all slept soundly.
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| Whitehills Harbour |
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| Sunset at Whitehills |
Thurs 22nd - Crew mutiny - asked for day ashore. Explored Whitehills - pottery, great fish shops with lots of samples. Picnic lunch on beach before Deb and shirley collected a ton of rocks and driftwood. Jon and Mike explored walk to Banff - seas and gypsy park, before all went for slap up meal in Rockwish cafe with the world's largest puddings. Girls braved the harbour for a swim, to the amusement of the local lads!
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| Come on in...it's lovely |
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Friday 23rd - Sail to wick - 47 miles. Seals and dolphins kept us company on the long trip over open sea. I managed to catch a seagull on the fishing line! Wick was a bit of a dump, so had BBQ on board followed by a couple in the Wetherspoons.
Sat 24th - Despite the suggestion from the very chatty harbourmaster to stop for the Wick carnival, we set off for Orkneys, via Penttland Firth and Copinsay (more dolphins). Another chatty harbournaster in Kirkwall, then out for chinese meal - still no haggis!
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| Land ahoy! |
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| Copinsay 1 |
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| Copinsay 2 |
Sunday 25th - Exploring 'city' with an afternoon tour of the Highland Park distillery, for a 'peedie' dram or two of the good stuff.
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| Memorial to HMS Royal Oak |
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| Highland Park |
Monday 26th - Island bus tour, taking in
Skara Brae,
Ring of Brodgar and the
Italian Chapel. Excellent tour and driver, stopping to point out landmarks at Scapa Flow and stopping at Orkney Wine Company store for Deb to stock up!. Deb did lots of stone hugging, I nearly got left behind and had to run after bus. Took advantage of all day ticket to visit Stromness, while girls went to cinema. Stomness very quaint, but closed!. Disappointing meal but excellent Scapa Flow pale ale. Bus back for late night session at yacht club - pool and malts.
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| Stones of Stenness |
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| Italian chapel 1 |
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| Italian Chapel 2 |
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| Skara Brae 1 |
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| Skara Brae 2 |
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| Ring of Brodgar |
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| Alice 1 |
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| Alice 2 |
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| Deb and Alice |
Tuesday 27th - Off to Westray via eday. Stopped for swim at Calf of Eday. After an hour moored in bay, ventured out to open sea, past Red Head and Grey Head. Arrived in tiny Pierowall harbour with just one other yacht. Just one hotel on far side of bay, so ate in.
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| Stronsay |
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| Seals in Pierwall Bay |
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| Links of Noltland dig |
Wed 28th - Exploring Westray! Deb and I headed off towards western coast, spotting seals and rabbits, before stumbling upon a 'time team' dig of a
5000 year old village, being excavated before sea washes it away. On to uncompleted Noltland Castle, before returning to village for pint and butty. Met bloke from north Wales telling us stories of his time on Papa Westray - 40' waves, free fish and discounted tickets for world's shortest schedule air journey. Bought selection of fresh fish for fish pie. Girls had been taken on tour of island by yet another charing harbourmaster, stopping to collect bags of scallop shells. Girls had fish and chips, delivered directly to the boat. Set off lantern across the harbour (click below).
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| Eynhallow Sound |
Thursday 29th - Very early start to catch tides. Left Pierowall at 7.15am heading north. Once in open seas, weather got worse and only Jon and I on deck. Force 6, so got sails out which only made things worse! Initial plan to follow coast to get good view of puffins at Noup Head abandoned, as poor visability, rough seas and crew all below. Rough crossing via Rousay, but once in Eynhallow Sound, all became much calmer. Saw a minkie travelling in opposite direction. Back into Kirkwall to dock and tie up for next crew. After showers and some retail therapy, went to see local band '
Saltfishforty' at Church hall - so good we bought a CD. Back to boat via 'Theme Bar - Oud Motor Hoose'.
Friday 30th - Packing, cleaning and generally making ship shape for next crew. Museum in afternoon and splash out meal at Kirkwall Hotel before long overnight ferry back to Aberdeen, and on via train back home. Until next time.......
