Mull of Kintyre Ep 21

Approaching Davaar Island - photo by author

Thanks to Paul Mc Cartney, the song spins around in your head just with the mere whisper of the words Mull of Kintyre, irratating yet delightful! The Peninsula of Kintyre in southwest Scotland is said to be a challenging sail. To quote the Clyde pilot guide who say, 'Small craft beware and ensure you are equipped for foul weather as conditions can deteriorate quickly and timing of the passage is most important'

Therefore you can imagine in the days prior to the sail we read alot about the subject of rounding the Mull of Kintyre, mainly to ensure we calculated the most appropriate tidal gate for the passage from Cambeltown to Gigha. The difference in advice from different apparently authoritative sources was concerning so we decided to follow Campbelltown locals. Surely they knew the optimum timing to benefit slack water and sailing with tidal races.

The weather for that morning was bazaar as we had a steady 5 knots and yet gusts upto 17, now that is fickle. With hot coffee in hand we marvelled at the sunrise and looked at the smooth glass of the water. I was lulled into wondering what all the fuss was about but from experience I knew how quickly waters and weather change so I reminded my self to enjoy the moment but also not to count my chickens before they had hatched.

Sun on our backs - photo by author

We appoached Arranmans Barrels with the early morning sun on our backs and Sanda Island to our port. I noted the sea state had changed, no longer smooth but nothing like I was expecting. Sanda was a pretty island and some what inviting, not a frothy breakers to be seen anywhere. There are several races in Sanda Sound but in these conditions non caused a problem. The auto pilot was doing the real work and we were just along for the ride.

Sanda Island - photo by author

With Sanda behind us and the sea conditions so much better than expected we decided to round the Mull by the

inner route. We were in splendid isolation and keen to embrace the experience of sailing these formidable waters. We trusted the advice of the pilot guide and sailed the inner track close to the rock face which was said to be fast and undisturbed but to be treated with caution.

Mull of Kintyre headland - photo

In the shadow of Kintyre I began to feel nervous, but of what I can not describe. The confused seas of the headland were still to be experienced and I found myself plotting our position ever 5 minutes, standing transfixed to the gps waiting for us to be around the headland. Some how I thought if I didnt look at the big dark rock of Kintyre I would silence my gremlin and time would pass quickly. We were blessed with good conditions, the eddes and overfalls were no greater than that we had previously experienced.

After rounding the Mull Gary and I both felt an energy drop as if the adrenaline had sapped our bodies dry. Whilst the passage via Sanda and the Mull was uneventful we never really relaxed until we were pointing north again towards the Sound of Jura.

Another day, another day of learning, another day of team work with my best friend.

More coming soon, so until the next time take care and be happy xxx