For our first anniversary we returned to the Esplanade Court Apartments in Oban for a week. Same style apartment, just along the floor from last years. We have been very lucky with the weather, it didn’t rain until we were leaving. In our eagerness to get there we left home at 8pm and took a steady drive through the night, with a couple of resting and coffee stops, getting to Oban by 7am on the Saturday. I managed to take over 1100 photos, even though number of ships I took was low – mostly the same vessels daily, whittled down to under 200. So prepare to be bored 🙂
Having dropped Bev off at Dunstaffnage I headed into Oban and to the harbour entrance. First on the move was the ISLE OF MULL, outward to Craignure on the first departure of the day.
Shortly after, the CORUISK arrived from Craignure.
Next outward was the LOCH STRIVEN, bound for Lismore.
Having moved round to Ganavan, the bulker YEOMAN BRIDGE arrived to anchor via the Sound of Mull, waiting to load at Glensanda.
Moving round to Pulpit Hill late morning, ISLE OF MULL seen arriving and then departing.
Next arrival was the ISLE OF LEWIS, inward from Barra.
LOCH STRIVEN then arrived from Lismore.
Having checked in early, the small passenger vessel HJALMAR BJORGE is seen moored at the marina, taken from the apartment.
ISLE OF MULL making an evening arrival at the ferry terminal.
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First sailing of the day, CLANSMAN outward to Coll and Tiree.
The unusual looking LAURENCE KNIGHT was next out – she is a fish farm support vessel, notable as she is electric powered.
She returned a little later, seen from the apartment.
The FLYING DUTCHMAN is a regular at Oban, seen here at the marina.
ISLE OF LEWIS arriving, also from the apartment.
Back up Pulpit Hill as the weather was so good as CLANSMAN approaches and enters the bay.
A short while later, I was onboard the CLANSMAN for an evening cruise to Colonsay and back, CORUISK waiting by the marina to allow us to sail.
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HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS was the first vessel of the day, inward to Oban bay. This caught me out as she usually berths at the Lighthouse pier.
LAXI II berthed at the North pier.
More views of HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS taken from Pulpit Hill during the afternoon.
ISLE OF LEWIS arriving and departing, seen from Pulpit Hill.
KALLISTA HELEN seen arriving North pier – she is a deliceing vessel.
LOCH STRIVEN heads out to Lismore.
CLANSMAN arriving from Coll/Tiree.
KALLISTA HELEN sailing from North pier.
An evening arrival to the lighthouse pier for POLE STAR.
HAVGULL returns to the North pier.
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First photos of the day as POLE STAR enters the bay and holds by the Kerrera marina.
HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS berthed at the lighthouse pier.
We had decided to have a walk on Kerrera so caught the small ferry to the marina. HAVGULL berthed with LORD OF THE GLENS ahead of her.
A low down view of CLANSMAN at the ferry terminal.
Walking around the Northern end of Kerrera, the HAVGULL passes outward.
ISLE OF MULL passes Dunollie Castle and heads to Craignure.
CORUISK heads in towards Oban passing Kerrera – I found this to be an excellent spot to catch the ferries.
LOCH STRIVEN also inward bound.
Having just been up towards Dunstaffnage, HAVGULL returns to Oban.
ISLE OF LEWIS approaches Kerrera at speed but has to heave to to allow CORUISK to sail.
CORUISK passing Dunollie wood outward…
… closely followed by the LORD OF THE GLENS, heading for Corpach.
ISLE OF MULL inward at speed…
… and outward passing Oban’s famous landmark, McCaig’s tower.
A small trawler RANGER moored at Kerrera marina.
ISLE OF LEWIS outward to Barra.
HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS sailing at sunset.
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Another new view point, ISLE OF MULL sailing from the ferry terminal, taken from a small garden area near the fish market and lifeboat station.
I decided to take a round trip to Mull, sailing on the CORUISK for the first time. While preparing to sail, LOCH STRIVEN arrived from Lismore then moved across to the North pier.
ISLE OF LEWIS approaches Oban at speed.
ISLE OF MULL heads to Oban…
… then heads back to Mull on our return crossing.
ISLE OF LEWIS heading back to Barra.
The small fishing vessel KATIE CLAIRE heads out.
LAXI II working on the Oban marina moorings as we returned.
The well boat SETTLER at the North pier bunkering, well loaded.
Nearly catching me unawares, the HEBRIDEAN ISLES arrives on one of her twice weekly visits to Oban.
Another well boat, OCEAN AQUILA inward for the North pier.
A quick turnaround and HEBRIDEAN ISLES is outward.
LAURENCE KNIGHT returns to North pier.
Another vessel that nearly escaped me, the RED BARONESS inward to the lighthouse pier.
Sunset arrival of CLANSMAN from Coll/Tiree/Barra.
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The small Oban based workboat DORUS MOR heads out on a fine morning…
… followed by the CLANSMAN.
CORUISK arrives from Craignure…
… while the ISLE OF MULL turns on the berth, her morning sailings cancelled due to COVID.
CORUISK and ISLE OF MULL at the ferry terminal.
The gaff rig schooner BLUE CLIPPER arrives and anchors off Kerrera marina.
ISLE OF LEWIS arriving, taken from McCaig’s tower.
Another view of BLUE CLIPPER, also from McCaig’s tower.
Moving to the memorial at the entrance to Oban bay, LOCH STRIVEN heads out…
… ISLE OF MULL heads in…
… followed by CLANSMAN…
… which is then seen taking the Kerrera sound to Colonsay…
… and returning via the same route.
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The fish farm support vessel NITROX arriving for North pier, converted from a Norwegian ferry.
The small passenger vessel ELIZABETH-G berthed at the marina.
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A quick bacon roll stop at Inveraray on the way home and the obligatory photo of the Hull built VITAL SPARK.