I departed Oban. I am intending to go north to Loch Linnhe. There is a castle there I wanted to photograph. I found a marina that was close.
For this trip I’ll have to negotiate a very tight narrow section with strong tidal currents. Actually, there are two very tight narrow sections. Only the first has tidal currents to be concerned with. The other is a navigational matter.
I had to time the currents right or I’d be nearly stopped by the current until it changed direction; up to three hours.
I was departing Oban early, knowing it was too early. The weather was overcast, but settled. So, I planned to motor for a short part of the trip, and then anchor for breakfast while I waited for the currents and wind to change.
When I got to the anchorage there was a beautiful motor yacht already there. I believe they had the same plan because they left shortly after I arrived. Later, I found out that this was a tour boat. They will take you on a 7-10 day cruise around the Scottish Western Isles.
Motor Yacht / Cruise Boat at Anchor
After dropping the anchor, I cooked breakfast and sat in the cockpit; enjoying the quiet solitude of this location. I am located within a group of several small islands along the shore of the Isle of Lismore.
View of My Breakfast anchorage
After having breakfast, I departed the anchorage, heading north. I was surprised to find so many fish farms along the way. Here are salmon farms. I could see the salmon jumping as I sailed slowly past.
Salmon Fish Farms
As I approached the first narrow channel, the one with fast tidal currents, I was suddenly getting anxious. The boat speed had gone down! I was fighting a half knot current. Not bad, but this wasn’t the narrowest section. I checked my tide tables, current predictions from the weather service, and of course… my watch. Did I mess up? I am one hour off Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Was the current predictions in GMT?
Since the channel was wider, I cut across the channel to reduce the currents effect. When I turned to cross back, my boat speed was back to normal. That must have been the final 15 minutes of the adverse current.
The rest of that section went smoothly.
The marina I chose was in Dallens Bay. The south entrance was the second narrow channel. There were no tidal current concerns. This was a navigational challenge, There are stories about lots of people running aground trying to enter this way. However, more recent than those stories was information about the marina marking the channel with the typical green or red buoys to make navigating simpler. So, with the channel marked, the only challenge was staying in the channel. It was not as wide as my boat is long. So, no turning around! I was committed.
As I navigated this tight channel, I watched nervously as the depth went from 14 feet to 12, 10, 9, 8.7! Then back to 10, 14, 20, 45… I made it through without an issue. At one point, I think I could have spit onto the land. I had arrived at Linnhe Marina at low tide… really low tide.
Super Low Tide
At normal water, this boat is anchored close to shore.
Boat Aground Due to Low Tide
Upon my arrival, I anchored beyond the mooring buoys. There were a few empty moorings, but I didn’t know the protocol for acquiring one for a few days. So, I launched my tender (a small row boat). I rowed to shore to talk with Nick who manages the marina. It’s a small family owned operation.
Nick told me I could just pull up to the pontoon (floating dock). That was great news!
I rowed back to Distant Horizon and weighed (raised) anchor. When I arrived to the pontoon, Nick was there waiting. He caught my lines and helped me tie the boat off. Then he gave me the combination to the washrooms and showers.
Nick also told me the old railroad tracks were taken out and made into a cycle path. If I walked down the cycle path, he pointed to my right, there is a path to The Old Inn. The Old Inn was closed for many years, but a new owner has renovated and now serves the best steak in the area… I needed to make a reservation.
I called. They asked if 8:30pm was good. I said no. It was too late for me. The time is currently 3:45pm. Then the girl on the other end of the phone asked, is 4:30 too soon? I said No… I’ll be there.
The walk was close to a mile long. Which path to turn onto was a bit confusing since I was told if I get to the old railway terminal… you’ll recognize it even though there is no building… you went too far.
The Old Inn
The food was amazing! So good that I had to try the toffee pudding with ice cream for desert! Again… amazing. This place is straight out of a Hollywood movie!
The Old Inn Dinning Room
I was feeling good when I got back to the boat. I went to bed early because I was getting up before sunrise to walk to the castle and take photos.