Quaila’s summer cruise

Quaila’s summer cruise – short, sweet and maybe the final one

Quaila Voyager 40 LOA 12.0 metres Crew Hugh Morrison, owner, Katie Christie, Christine, Kirsty and Sandy Taggart Dates Saturday 17 July – Sunday 25 July 2021

After a delayed start to the season Hugh took Quaila from the Clyde to Ardfern in early June. Having enjoyed a few short voyages Hugh was joined at the Glasgow Fair weekend by a larger crew for a longer cruise whose average age was 80 plus.

It did not stop us joining the muster ashore at Ardfern on Fair Sunday. Katie and Christine had a walk along to the lagoon then joined the evening event. It was an excellent al fresco affair. We enjoyed a delicious paella topped with three large langoustines and served in cardboard boxes. Our thanks go to the organisers.

Hugh Morrison

Following the Tobermory Race fleet

An early start was called for on Monday morning which turned out to be a flat calm. The proposed starting line for the race to Tobermory crept further and further north until a breeze filled in from the Sound of Mull. A start was set about Loch Don and the race was on.

The day continued with nothing but a light breeze so we slowly motored on up the Sound of Mull. Stopping to the south of Rubha An Aird Dheirg on the Morvern shore we watched the Tobermory Race fleet make its way slowly towards its destination. It was time for lunch in the sun in any case. Motoring again in the afternoon Quaila was safely anchored in Loch Drumbuie by nightfall.

Next day saw very thin air so we motored over to Tobermory to await the arrival of Kirsty from the Oban ferry and Craignure bus. Her arrival greatly reduced the average age of the geriatric crew.

On to Muck

Under power Quaila left Tobermory and headed out west past Ardnamurchan and eventually anchored at Eigg, just north of Eilean Castail in the large bay which was 

surprisingly busy. Hugh’s son Christopher, his wife Anne and family Fiona and Tom were cruising in company with two other boats and were anchored nearby. They came aboard for some refreshments and Kirsty joined the young Morrison crew and friends ashore for a barbecue with the older crew members remaining aboard Quaila.

Another quiet day dawned and after a leisurely breakfast we motored out of the anchorage round the south of Eigg and headed to Muck. In the North Bay we watched the cattle cooling themselves from the hot day by paddling in the sea and grazing on the seaweed.

By contrast Katie and Christine took a walk over to the South Bay. The walk was made more interesting as due to the high temperatures they had to pick their route to try and avoid the melting tarmac. Not the sort of concern usually associated with the West Coast of Scotland. Clams had been acquired by Christopher from the fishermen at Eigg, so Kirsty set about making an excellent supper of them which was enjoyed by all.

Wonderful scallops

Coll, the Treshnish Isles and Gometra

No wind on Wednesday as Quaila motored first to Coll to stop for lunch then on to the Treshnish Isles for a bit of puffin spotting. Quaila was not alone as the anchorage was pretty full. The air was so still we could clearly hear the conversations of customers of the many tourist boats who had come for a similar purpose. Their presence was a good indicator that we were sure to witness these funny little sea parrots.

The ladies of the crew headed ashore and it was a special event if somewhat brief. Great joy was taken seeing the peaceful creatures at close quarters. The puffins happily bobbed their heads from their nests and waddled about the cliff top until along came four skua and the burrows emptied at speed. On leaving we had a chat with the Ingrams of Troubadour, RCC, and headed off to Gometra.

The course was a dead run in very light airs which gave a sail of about an hour and peace from the engine. Once again there was a surprising number of boats in Gometra but peace reigned as the sun set.

Ardfern calm

Staffa, Iona and on to Carsaig Bay

Where was the wind, the crew wondered, as we set off in a flat calm and on to Staffa. There the tourist boats were doing a good trade coming out from Mull and Iona. After a close look into Fingal’s Cave Quaila headed for Iona accompanied for part of the way by a pod of porpoises. They were a wonderful sight. By contrast, sadly, it was noticeable how few sea birds there were out and about.

Kirsty’s short visit was due to end here and after some business ashore she headed off on the ferry. Her mother helped her journey by arranging a lift from a priest who had been on Iona for a retreat. He kindly ensured she was delivered from Fionnphort to the Craignure ferry for the crossing to Oban where her car was.

The average age of the crew thus reverted to 80 plus. The crew had a relaxed lunch before heading south-east past Tinker’s Hole, Ardalanish and an evening stop in Carsaig Bay.

Puffin

Back to Ardfern by way of the Garvellachs

On Saturday there was no rush for the tides as the best time for the Corryvrechan was the afternoon ebb. A relaxed morning was on the cards with slow passage to the Garvellachs and lunch there. Once again the anchorage was quite busy and many crews were having a good look at the ruins ashore.

By mid afternoon Quaila was underway again to catch the start of the ebb at Corryvreckan and punch the ebb at the Dorus Mhor. All worked to plan and by late afternoon the hook was dropped to east of Eilen Gabhar in Loch Craignish. The crew were entertained by the young crew off another yacht as they were learning to sailboard with moderate success.

The cruise was reaching its end. On Sunday the crew did what they could to tidy ship while heading over to the berth at Ardfern.

A superb cruise had been enjoyed by all. No apologies will be made for the repetitive nature of the trip, the conditions of which have never been witnessed by Hugh, Sandy or Katie, their West Coast cruising experience being upwards of 50 years each. Wind? Next to none. Sun? In abundance and flat calms with lots of motoring. One thought – maybe we could qualify for the Gibson Trophy!?

At the time of writing news of Hugh’s decision to put Quaila on the market had reached us. Would this be the last cruise? If so, what a trip. With many thanks to Hugh for having us on board.