Summer arrives on the West Coast

Summer is finally here, with temperatures soaring to 28 degrees - hotter than Madrid, Nairobi and Rio de Janiero!  So it was on with the shorts and t shirts to lap up some of the gorgeous sunshine we were enjoying.


The somewhat cooler water temperature did not deter our friend Richard, who had joined us aboard Moonshadow for the week, from continuing his swim training schedule.  Richard likes a challenge and the latest adventure he is about to embark on is to travel from Edinburgh to Inverary, by kayaking, cycling, running over land, and swimming across both Loch Lomond and Loch Fyne. 


Our first overnight anchorage on this trip was Lunga (one of the Slate Islands which lie south of Oban) and Richard had already planned the route for his morning swim. With a helping hand from the skipper to zip up his wetsuit he was off into the sparkling waters of Camas a Mhor-Fhir (Bay of the Giant) with the lure of a hot shower on the stern when he returned. 

A wee session off Lunga July 2011

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!