The Garvellachs

Guests enjoyed a lunchtime stop at the Garvellachs, a chain of four small islands at the entrance to the Firth of Lorne. 

Translating from the Gaelic as Isles of the Sea or "rough islands", Eileach an  Naoimh (Isle of the Saints) is the most southerly of the group. The island is home to the remains of an ancient Celtic Monastery believed to have been founded by St Brendan the Navigator in 542 AD. Though ruinous, the bee hive corbelled stone cells are well preserved. 



The islands are uninhabited, with steep angled sides and bountiful wild flowers nestle amongst the pink quartz and limestone boulders. 

St Columba's mother is said to be buried on the hillside overlooking the anchorage - a simple headstone marks her grave.

Gordounston International Summer School Cruise 2011

Another West Coast Summer School comes to an end and as usual we are left with many happy memories of shared adventures with friends old and new. Our international crews enjoyed a month of fantastic weather and no encouragement was needed for daily swimming off the yachts and some very enthusiastic water fights under sail. Staff had their hands full with a fleet of 11 boats and over 80 foreign students sailing in company during the final week.  

We explored a variety of islands and anchorages during this year's cruise, including the slate quarries on Easdale, the beehive cells on Eileach an Naoimh, the main island of the Garvellachs, Craighouse, Jura and Tayvallich at the head of Loch Sween. On Lunga, the students were entertained by Kyle who played a selection of pipe tunes as the sun set over the anchorage. A visit to Tobermory and the Mull Highland Games was rounded off with a BBQ and games evening at Aros Park. Mussels were enjoyed in Loch Spelve and trips through Corryvreckan and the Grey Dogs kept everyone on their toes.  

During the final week, with the sun shining and the wind still light, we even manoeuvred the fleet into a Sunflower in Loch Craignish. The views from the top of Moonshadow's mast were amazing!