Islay to Oban

19th to 21st May
Ardmore Islands-Fairy Isles-Puilladobhrain-Oban
(route http://www.a-trip.com/tracks/view/131419 )

From Islay, north to the relatively big empty island of Jura, (they’re all pretty empty), where we stopped for lunch at Craighouse.

Craighouse, 'capital' of Jura

Fairytale anchorage, Fairy Isles, Loch Sween

I’d carefully inched my way onto a shallow pontoon berth as we only wanted lunch, but we were politely chivvied off an hour later as a mini-cruise ship had anchored offshore and “Serenissima” was disembarking 100 passengers in busy black ribs, for their distillery visit.

Corryvreckan under a veil of mist

Through the Sound of Luing

They wanted pontoon space.

With little wind, we motored across to Loch Sween for a night anchored in the enchanting Fairy Isles. Lofty rocks, vivid green fields, rounded hills and woodland in every shade of green, leave me thinking that fairies probably live there - or nowhere.

Up early next morning for an invigorating sail up and through the Sound of Luing and a stop for lunch at Erisaig, and a quick look at the small and delightful local museum (all about the nearby erstwhile slate industry). Last night we reached the ever-popular anchorage at Puilladobhrain, before coming on here to Oban today (Tuesday). (Time for shower, haircut, washing, shopping….but you won’t want to know that)

Puilladobhrain, always popular and pretty

Joining the ferries into Oban