Tuesday 26 June (Croabh to Oban)

Once again the Met Office reports made it clear that if we wanted to make a safe passage further north we would only have today to do it, before the "NW F6-7, occ gale 8" set in, so we refuelled and made a start at 1130 for the 18nm passage to Oban. This was another scenically stunning passage, through the Sound of Luing (pron. 'Ling') and the Cuan Sound. The latter is yet another route that needs the full information of the invaluable Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions to navigate safely between submerged rocks, narrow gaps, and - yes! - more whirlpools in a 6 knot tide! Safely out the other side the passage to Oban Bay was straightforward, though lumpy until in the shelter of Kerrera Island. We arrived at Kerrera (the Oban Marina is in Ardentrive Bay, opposite the town) at 1500. The facilities provided are very good, and include a marquee with tables overlooking the bay, with a seafood stall, where we had delicious Loch Fyne oysters, mussels and prawns, though we did have to keep our foul weather gear on while dining, as by now it was cold and raining. Still, that's West of Scotland for ya: if the sun shone more it would be as crowded as the Solent, so we just sit back and enjoy the food and the views, even through the mist!