Outer Hebrides and Skye

For the last couple of weeks Internet access has been very difficult to find, this evening we are anchored in Loch Torridon and have managed to pick up a weak BT wifi signal from the village of Shieldaig.

Cuillin Mountains, Isle of Skye

Since the last post we spent a few days in the Outer Hebridies (Uist and Harris) and managed to catch-up with my friend Donald who was home visiting his family in Harris. I had a bit of a nightmare when we first arrived in the Loch, I rowed ashore in the dinghy to meet Donald whilst Katie stayed on Bathia to check the anchor was set. When I came to row back 20 minutes later the tide and wind had increased and the distance to row was further than initially thought. At this point the dinghy oars decided to show their weakness and not stay in the rollocks; I was being blown out to sea faster than I could row. I managed to make it to the opposite shore before I was too far away and began to trudge around the rocky shore to make my way back up tide and wind from Bathia. Luckily Katie managed to get help from another yacht who came and collected me in their dinghy (plus outboard). Lesson learnt, use the outboard and get the oars fixed!

Katie, Donald and Rob, Taransay Island behind

The next day Donald took us for a tour of South Harris to see the incredible beaches and get a feel for his home town.  The  weather was looking suspect so later that day we left Harris and headed back towards the mainland and the Isle of Skye.

We had a few wet days on Skye dodging heavy downpours and making rapid dinghy rides from our mooring buoy to the harbour and back.  On Friday we took an organised tour to see the sights of this stunning island.