Jun 3 – Loch Gairloch to Loch Ewe
By Joe Barrett | June 3, 2012
Set off for Loch Ewe some 30 nm up the coast and the next sealoch north. We managed to refill our water tanks before we left from Flowedale as the pontoons there have both electricity and water.
Loch Gairloch the evening before
The plan was to get going before the weather picked up as the forecast was for F5/6 NW again but when we left – accelerated by the boat inside us wanting to leave – all was calm.
A cracking sail was had as we left Loch Gairloch and headed up the coast. The wind was picking up but there was still a comfortable sea state. By the time we rounded the lighthouse just before the entrance to Loch Ewe the wind was back to F6 and there was a big breaking sea running.
Rubha Reidh – Lighthouse
After running for cover in Loch Ewe we arrived at our first planned anchorage only to find it lashed with squally winds. The next choice – Aultbea – was much better. Mainly because there was a free mooring buoy which we gratefully picked up.
Aultbea is a tiny place which boasts two hotels – one of which was recently the – whiskey hotel of the year – and not much else. The wind moderated and we dinghyed ashore to enjoy a couple of pints to celebrate the Jubilee.
Tomorrow we head off for Loch Broom and a small anchorage in the loch just north of Ullapool.
Today’s passage details
Loch Gairloch to Loch Ewe: 31 nm / 7 hours
Sailed: 5 hrs/ motored 2 hours
Total distance since start: 817 nm
1 Comment
Selena Cambers on June 14, 2012 at 6:46 pm.
Joe
Congratulations on passing the half way point and also the great photos. It’s lovely to see the west coast and islands.
Keep us posted once you get down to the south and if you’re putting into port we can see if we can meet up depending on your schedule etc. Good luck with the weather over the next few days – we’re having the wettest drough on record!
Best wishes
Selena and Trevor