Welcome back to our sailing journey. In this episode, we embark on an unforgettable voyage from the picturesque island of Islay to the charming town of Oban. Buckle up as we sit out stormy seas, visit iconic distilleries, and soak in the breathtaking landscapes of Scotland.
Our adventure begins in the beautiful Port Ellen. Before setting sail, we face some stormy weather, which gives us the perfect excuse to explore one of Islay’s most renowned distilleries — Caol Ila. Known for producing Kathrin’s favourite “Water of Life”, this distillery offers us an intriguing and delightful tour. As we sip on the finest whisky, we marvel at the stunning views across the Sound of Islay, with the majestic Paps of Jura creating a dramatic backdrop.
Returning to our trusty vessel, Polaris, we find her bravely battling a fierce swell in the harbour, stirred up by strong westerly winds reaching up to 45 knots. It’s all hands on deck as we adjust and secure additional lines, anticipating the winds to veer towards the northwest and intensify with gusts of Force 11. Despite the ominous forecast, the weather thankfully turns out to be less severe than expected, presenting itself as a mere gale with a few brief gusts of Force 10. Nevertheless, not a time to be out at sea voluntarily — at least not for us!
Once the wind settles, we seize the opportunity for a perfect day of sailing. We cruise up the scenic Sound of Luing, pass by the infamous Corryvreckan whirlpool, navigate towards the Fladda Lighthouse, and journey through the Sound of Insh. Our final stretch takes us up the Kerrera Sound, leading us to our destination — Kerrera Marina in Oban.
As we sail into Oban, we reflect on our incredible time in Bonnie Scotland. With a tear in our eyes, we bid farewell to these stunning landscapes and great friends we made here, yet with a smile on our faces, we look forward to new adventures awaiting us further north, in uncharted waters.