A Date with Dr ABC on Easdale

Photo courtesy of www.easdaleislandhall.org

This morning we made the 5 minute journey on the 9 o'clock ferry to Easdale for a First Aid refresher course. Easdale was once the hub of the Scottish slate mining industry and the flooded remains of the old quarries are in evidence all over the island. 


The venue for our course was the community hall, originally built in 1871 as a drill hall for the island's volunteer force.  It has a 7m high central column, made from a ship's mast, believed to be from the "Norval" a 630 ton ship carrying wood from Montreal to Glasgow, which sank nearby in 1870. Heavy struts radiate from the central column like the spokes of an umbrella and support the huge rafters.  The newly renovated hall opened in 2003 and is a spectacular mix of the traditional and modern. 

Photo courtesy of www.easdaleislandhall.org

Our disarming skipper

Many thanks to Jeremy of West Coast First Aid (www.westcoastfirstaid.co.uk) for an informative and enjoyable day. For more information about Easdale island visit www.easdale.org.

Winter work

Well, the mast is back up and we have found a new use for cling film. A tight seal around the base will keep the elements out and the interior nice and dry. All electrics and electronics have been re-connected and are in full working order.  The new foghorn is ready to fit and the motor for the furling gear should be with us next week. For now it's on with fitting the new handlers for the air conditioning/heating system........not long now till we're back on the water!

A wee session off Lunga July 2011

London Boat Show 2012 - a busy day on the Sail Scotland stand

The Sail Scotland stand attracted many visitors at this year's Boat Show.  As usual, the map of Scotland drew large crowds and became the focus of attention to plan this year's cruise and to reminisce about memorable voyages in and around Scottish waters.  

London International Boat Show 2012

"Bliadhna Mhath Ur" one and all! 


We will be on the Sail Scotland stand (www.sailscotland.co.uk) from Wednesday 11th to Sunday 15th January.  


Looking forward to welcoming as many visitors as possible. 


Colin & Pauline

Pulling Moonshadow's Mast at Ardfern Yacht Centre

2011 season comes to an end

The stunning views of the snow capped mountains - this was our view of Ben Cruachan as we passed Kerrera - almost almost made up for the freezing conditions as we sailed down the coast yesterday to our winter berth at Ardfern Yacht Centre.  

The sails are now off (well done Lorna and Chris!) and preparations underway for the winter work schedule, which this year includes pulling the mast for maintenance of the in-mast furling system.  Watch this space for further updates and photos!


Thanks to all of our lovely guests who joined us this year. We had a thoroughly enjoyable time sailing with you and hope that we will see you back on Moonshadow in years to come.