June 10 – Kinlochbervie to Stromness (Orkney)

By | June 10, 2012

The forecast was good to round Cape Wrath and head to Stromness in the Orkney Islands, 60 nm away but also right on the wind. We had a tidal gate to meet at the Hoy Mouth so we had to motor.

Leaving at 06:00 meant the wind had not started to get up and the 15nm mile trip up to Cape Wrath was made without incident – no huge waves! We did see a Minke whale which came up alongside the boat. Quite a sight even if we only saw its back and a fin.

Leaving Kinlochbervie at 06:00

We were not the only ones doing the trip to the Orkneys – four other yachts who had been holed up in Kinlochbervie left with us.

It was good that we left the day we did as the was a military exercise taking place around Cape Wrath next day with gunnery and bombing!

Cape Wrath

After rounding Cape Wrath it was a straightforward motor sail across to the Hoy Mouth 55 nm away. We were accompanied for a time by a large pod of Atlantic dolphins – they put on really good show – leaping out of the water again and again.

Arriving at the Hoy Mouth a bit earlier than we planned meant that we could hove-to just north of the Old Man of Hoy and have supper. We broke out the emergency food packs to save time before continuing on.

The Old Man of Hoy under the 1000ft cliffs

Arrived in Stromness marina at 22:30 after a 14 hr trip. Still daylight until midnight but we all crashed out after a quick cup of tea.

Day off tomorrow and we plan to get a bus to see some of Mainland Island.

We are over half way now and it’s all heading south from now on. Just hoping the wind stays in the north.

Passage Details

Kinlochbervie to Stromness: 70nm / 14 hrs

Sailed: 0 / Motored: 14 hrs

Total distance since start: 982R nm

 

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