Another week long break in Oban at the Esplanade Court apartments. The plan to setoff from home at 0500 was changed – we left 23:30 on Friday night. This did mean, with a few rest breaks on the way up, we were in Oban by 10:00.
On arrival, POLE STAR was underway heading out – she was off to Nairn on the East coast.
Our apartment was ready early so we checked in – ISLE OF MULL was caught inward from Lochboisdale…
… and then outward on the return.
LOCH FRISA seen arriving from Craignure.
ISLE OF LEWIS arriving from Greenock – she had been taken out of service for bow visor repairs and was returning to take the sailing to Castlebay.
CLANSMAN arriving from Coll/Tiree.
Saturday is the small cruise ship sailing day – ELIZABETH-G makes her way out of the marina.
Working off Kerrera, the GRACE LAMONT arrives for North pier late afternoon.
**********
Sunday started out fine and remained so all day.
CORUISK heads out to Craignure in the morning sun…
… with LOCH FRISA arriving on the reciprocal crossing.
PHAROS clears the Lighthouse pier berth and sails via the Sound of Kerrera, bound for Douglas.
ISLE OF LEWIS approaches the entrance at speed from Lochboisdale.
LOCH STRIVEN heads out for Lismore.
CORUISK make her way across the bay inward bound.
After a fine Sunday lunch we headed up Pulpit Hill to take in the views.
LOCH FRISA approaches the berth at Oban, showing the modifications made to fit the berths for Calmac.
CLANSMAN arrives from Coll/Tiree – looking splendid in the sun. In the last photo you can see one of my favourite spots at the entrance to Oban bay near the war memorial.
SEAHORSE II arrives for a short visit late afternoon.
CLANSMAN approaches the harbour at sunset from Colonsay.
The last of the sunset.
**********
Our anniversary day started sunny as CLANSMAN sailed but the forecasted wet weather soon arrived and no further photos were taken.
We did have a very nice meal in a seafood restaurant nearby on the evening as some sunshine returned.
**********
Tuesday was a morning sailing to Colonsay on the CLANSMAN.
While waiting for the ferry HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS arrived, just as the rain started. Then alongside Lighthouse pier as we sailed.
Heading back into Oban and ISLE OF MULL outward again just off Kerrera.
An interesting vessel at Kerrera marina, the SERVUS was originally a rescue vessel, then a pilot vessel and is now believed to be a yacht.
The GERALDINE MARY alongside North pier.
Fleetmate GRACE LAMONT arrives for the North pier.
**********
Wednesday was a full day on CLANSMAN – first to Coll and Tiree with a short break ashore back in Oban before the evening sailing to Colonsay again.
The self-discharging bulker YEOMAN BRIDGE passes Duart Castle in the Sound of Mull.
The Hessle built LOCH LINNHE approaches Tobermory from Kilchoan.
ISLE OF LEWIS enters the Sound of Mull at speed bound for Oban.
AQUA HARVESTER heads Northwards out from Loch Sunart.
LOCH LINNHE crossing over to Kilchoan.
ISLE OF MULL outward in the Sound of Mull heading to Lochboisdale.
LAURA M passes Northbound to Craignure from Oban.
YEOMAN BRIDGE at anchor awaiting to berth at Glensanda.
LOCH FRISA crossing to Craignure.
Regular HAVGULL arriving for North pier as we head for Colonsay.
A sunset view up the Sound of Mull, with the Lismore light in the sun, from the aft deck of CLANSMAN.
********
Thursday starts sunny with Bev off for a walk on Kerrera.
The smallest vehicle ferry in the Calmac fleet, CARVORIA.
The sailing vessel MAYBE returns to Oban marina from anchor.
HONEYDEW leaves the marina – an ex trawler now used for diving.
LOCH FRISA passes inward.
Local trip boat PURPLE HEATHER heads out.
SERVUS at Kerrera marina – touch of heat haze already this morning.
Workboat MEERCAT heads out.
GEMINI EXPLORER arrives mid afternoon.
Another fine afternoon so up to Pulpit hill to catch CLANSMAN arriving.
Small workboat ORNISH MAID arrives at the marina.
A sunset arrival for CLANSMAN from Colonsay.
Another fine sunset.
**********
Friday – last full day
A pleasant surprise I had forgotten was due – the CAPE RACE anchored off the Kerrera marina. She is an expedition cruise ship, the first steel hulled trawler built in Canada in 1963. Views taken throughout the day.
The workboat ASHLEANNE passes out for the salmon farm just round the Kerrera coast.
HELEN RICE makes her way in to North pier…
… as HAVGULL heads out.
LOCH STRIVEN returns to Oban from Lismore.
After a very quick visit, HELEN RICE heads out.
Friday is small cruise ship return day – GLEN TARSAN arrives…
… followed by EMMA JANE…
… and ELIZABETH-G.
ISLE OF LEWIS next in from Castlebay.
Early afternoon arrival for CLANSMAN.
LOCH STRIVEN sails for Lismore.
Small trip boat CREAGALLAN passes the Hutcheson monument on Kerrera.
First well boat of the week, OCEAN AQUILA arrives for North pier.
And so the sun sets on our last day.
**********
Saturday – and no intentions to take any photos as we prepared to depart, but then it was suddenly spotted that the camera would be in action.
The small cruise ship OCEAN NOVA was slowly creeping in. She seemed to hang around in the main channel where she turned, a rib was launched to the marina.
After a short while the rib returned and she sailed out.
**********
I have also uploaded some videos to YouTube
https://youtu.be/lTW2QuWkw7g – Loch Striven outward
https://youtu.be/0J04baNSTPk – Isle of Lewis arriving
https://youtu.be/S4UTKFF6aBs – Clansman sailing
https://youtu.be/jcUwG7lLvVA – Loch Striven inward
https://youtu.be/cXw-y7nA-wk – Loch Frisa arriving