Too often this summer, this has been our view of Ireland and W. Scotland. We tie up in a marina, wait out windy, rainy weather for 4-5 days, then scoot to the next port on a fair weather day, and REPEAT. We’ve got our fingers crossed right now, because the current forecast shows that we may be coming up to several days of good sailing weather.
Stranraer, Loch Ryan
After getting our electrical work done in Carrickfergus, and enjoying the bustle of Belfast :-), we headed across the North Channel back to Scotland. Our first destination was one of the closest harbors that would provide protection from the bad weather forecasted for the next day. This was Stranraer Harbor, at the head of the 7-mile Loch Ryan. Most of the day was an easy, downwind passage, although it was quite rolly because of the sea state. Shortly after arrival in Stranraer, the wind (over 30 knots) and rain began, and it rained all night and most of the next day.
Green and lovely Loch Ryan. Loch Ryan was a narrow and long fjord-like lake.
Troon
We spent two nights in Stranraer, and then left for Troon. Troon is technically in the Firth of Clyde, an area of Scotland that has numerous anchorages (many with mooring balls) and marinas. Because we will store Hokukea for the winter in an indoor storage facility in this area, we were anxious to get here given the few good weather days we’ve had for sailing. We feel less stressed now being near to Hokukea’s winter home (Fairlie Quay Marina in Largs, Scotland) beginning late September.
We enjoyed exploring Troon for a few days.
Millport, Great Cumbrae Island
Millport was only about a 3-hour sail from Troon. We left early to stop at the fuel dock in Troon Marina and to avoid having strong current against us as we neared Millport. The wind forecast was for 15 knots, gusting to 18. We woke up to 15-18 knots, gusting to 20. We were a bit anxious and worried that the strong winds would make maneuvering in our tight docking situation a bit challenging. We actually did just fine getting out of our slip, alongside the fuel dock, off the fuel dock, and finally out of the marina. Outside the marine, it was blowing 20-25 knots and we had big sea swells. Luckily, the winds and sea state got tamer after about an hour and we actually had a nice sail to Millport.
Interesting rock formations & a castle on Little Cumbrae, as we approached Millport on Great Cumbrae.
Adam saying “Hi-ya” at Crocodile Rock in Millport.
People who know me know that I enjoy gin and tonics. A couple years ago while reading about the Firth of Clyde, I read about a gin distillery started by five women in Millport and decided that I would visit when we cruised here: I’m excited to be here!
The whiskey distillery tours were interesting, and I am beginning to appreciate some Scotch whiskeys, but I must say, ….
