 |
| [Photo courtesy of Isle of Skye Yachts www.skyeyachts.co.uk] |
Sunday, 13 January 2013
London International Boat Show 2013
While we won't be at the Boat Show in person this year, you can share our adventures on the Sail Scotland stand, where one of the banners features Moonshadow anchored off the island of Scarp in the Outer Hebrides last August.
The Sail Scotland brochure also includes a wealth of interesting articles and information. Pick up a copy at the show or request a brochure via the website: http://www.sailscotland.co.uk
Saturday, 1 September 2012
Sunshine on Scarp
A gentle north easterly breeze greets us as we leave Loch Leosavay on North Harris. We had enjoyed a peaceful night, anchored in the shadow of Amhuinnsuidhe Castle, which now stands proud against the magnificent backdrop of the high Harris hills and a cloudless blue sky.
Our destination is the Island of Scarp, lying seven miles up the Harris coast and uninhabited since 1971. Scarp is an Old Norse name for sharp, stony mountain terrain, a description which befits the 2,500 acre island whose highest point is more than 300m.
In sparkling seas, we slip past Taransay, location for the BBC show “Castaway 2000”, then rounding the point at Huishnish, we enter Caolas an Scarp. A hush falls over Moonshadow’s crew as we drink in the spectacular landscape before us: turquoise blue waters, dazzling white sands and a tangle of wildflowers on the machair.
Ashore, we stroll amongst Scarp’s ruined crofts, a number of which are now undergoing renovation, and weave our way through the shore-side graveyard with its views across the kyle to Traigh Mheilein on Harris. This beautiful stretch of beach beckons us next and socks & shoes are abandoned as we make our way through the white surf to enjoy the crystal clear waters and the warmth of the sand beneath our feet.
Scarp was also the site of an experiment by German inventor Gerhard Zucker to deliver the island's post by rocket mail. In July 1934 he made two attempts at firing mail between Scarp and Harris. Despite the success of the second launch of the solid fuel rocket (which could travel at over 1000mph carrying thousands of letters), the project was subsequently abandoned.
24 hours later and anchored off Edinbane in Loch Greshornish, we re-live our Scarp experience while a gale blows through. Moonshadow’s saloon is transformed into a cinema for the matinee showing of the “The Rocket Post” which celebrates this fascinating story in film and showcases an idyllic Hebridean isle.
Our destination is the Island of Scarp, lying seven miles up the Harris coast and uninhabited since 1971. Scarp is an Old Norse name for sharp, stony mountain terrain, a description which befits the 2,500 acre island whose highest point is more than 300m.
In sparkling seas, we slip past Taransay, location for the BBC show “Castaway 2000”, then rounding the point at Huishnish, we enter Caolas an Scarp. A hush falls over Moonshadow’s crew as we drink in the spectacular landscape before us: turquoise blue waters, dazzling white sands and a tangle of wildflowers on the machair.
Ashore, we stroll amongst Scarp’s ruined crofts, a number of which are now undergoing renovation, and weave our way through the shore-side graveyard with its views across the kyle to Traigh Mheilein on Harris. This beautiful stretch of beach beckons us next and socks & shoes are abandoned as we make our way through the white surf to enjoy the crystal clear waters and the warmth of the sand beneath our feet.
Scarp was also the site of an experiment by German inventor Gerhard Zucker to deliver the island's post by rocket mail. In July 1934 he made two attempts at firing mail between Scarp and Harris. Despite the success of the second launch of the solid fuel rocket (which could travel at over 1000mph carrying thousands of letters), the project was subsequently abandoned.
24 hours later and anchored off Edinbane in Loch Greshornish, we re-live our Scarp experience while a gale blows through. Moonshadow’s saloon is transformed into a cinema for the matinee showing of the “The Rocket Post” which celebrates this fascinating story in film and showcases an idyllic Hebridean isle.
Monday, 2 July 2012
A Helicopter on Hirta
Our visit in August coincided with the arrival of the helicopter bringing supplies to the island. After a walk ashore amongst the cleits, the warden very kindly opened the shop for us to make a few purchases. Then it was on to the museum to find out more of the island's fascinating story.
Sunday, 17 June 2012
Spar Cave 2012
A few images of this year's visit to Spar Cave.
 |
| Approaching the Cave entrance |
 |
| The flowstone staircase |
 |
| It's a steep climb |
 |
| A careful descent by torchlight |
 |
| Into the black hole! |
Thursday, 14 June 2012
A Longship in Loch Ailort
It's amazing the things you find on the beaches of Scotland and we couldn't help but pose for a quick photo shoot on this wooden longship which we found nestling amongst the rocks on the shores of Loch Ailort. Anybody out there who can spread some light on what it was doing there?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)