Our first visit to Oban this year for our 4th wedding anniversary.
We arrived midday Saturday but couldn’t check in until later in the afternoon unlike previous years. It was a grey and damp day but better weather was forecast for later in the week.
The research trawler ALBA NA MARA was the first vessel caught as she arrived for the Northern Lighthouse Pier.
ELIZABETH-G on the moorings at Oban – the marina outer pontoons currently out of use.
LORD OF THE ISLES arriving Oban before heading South to the Islay run.
CLANSMAN returning to Oban from the Northern triangle service.
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Sunday started quite dreich so not a lot of photos taken.
LOCH FRISA arrives from Craignure.
The small fishing vessel DAWN MAID heads inward in heavy rain.
CORUISK arrives from Craignure.
ISLE OF LEWIS arrives from Barra.
A surprise arrival as LOCH FYNE approaches via the Sound of Kerrera. She was on her way back to Mallaig having been off service for maintenance.
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Monday also started grey and damp.
Having laid at the Lighthouse pier overnight, LOCH FYNE heads out to Mallaig.
Unfortunately I missed the chance to catch CAPE RACE entering the harbour, she is seen here preparing to anchor off Kerrera marina.
HELEN RICE passes inward for North pier.
The cruise ship HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS passes Hutcheson’s monument for the Lighthouse pier.
The fish farm support vessel ELOISE ESLEA pulls away from the North pier…
… as LOCH STRIVEN heads over to take the empty berth.
Sailing vessel LADY OF AVENEL arrives for North pier.
CLANSMAN takes the afternoon sailing to Colonsay via the Sound of Kerrera.
I have often wanted to do this passage – we were planning to take the Tuesday morning sailing but if the forecast had been bad this sailing was Plan B. The forecast for Tuesday was good so I was a little miffed to see her head this way.
HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS heads out past Hutcheson’s monument.
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Tuesday – our anniversary day starts bright and sunny.
HEBRIDEAN PRINCESS returns in glorious sunlight for the Lighthouse pier.
At 09:00 we were aboard the CLANSMAN for the sailing to Colonsay – as we set off it soon became apparent we would be taking the Sound of Kerrera route – which made me very happy.
CAPE RACE seen at anchor off the marina.
Still moored off the marina the small vessel SERVUS – believed to be under conversion.
Moving down the sound, moored behind Heather Island is the former RMAS tender DORNOCH.
Just south of Heather Island is the former RMAS tender CRICKLADE, now a private yacht.
Berthed at the Kerrera pier was Calmac’s smallest vehicle ferry CARVORIA.
On the return leg we also headed for the Sound of Kerrera, just south of Kerrera we passed the outward bound BESSIE ELLEN.
More views of CRICKLADE as the tide had swung her round.
More views also of CAPE RACE.
ISLE OF MULL outward to Lochboisdale.
SEVUS having swung a little on the tide also.
COASTBUSTER II passing through Oban bay.
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Wednesday – a bright day forecast, the wife was out walking and I spent the morning at the bay entrance.
LOCH STRIVEN heads to Lismore on the first sailing of the day.
CAPE RACE catches the early morning sun.
CLANSMAN heads out to Coll/Tiree – usually I’d be on this sailing which normally includes Castlebay but not a present.
The stern view is in the shade of Battleships Hill/Dunollie woods.
CORUISK outward on the first sailing to Mull.
The tide swings CAPE RACE, still catching the sun.
LOCH STRIVEN returns from Lismore…
… and CORUISK from Carignure.
Hebrides Cruises LUCY MARY arrives in the bay.
LOCH FRISA inward from Craignure.
Majestic Lines GLEN TARSAN arrives for a short visit.
LOCH STRIVEN bowls in from Lismore.
ISLE OF LEWIS arrives late morning from Castlebay.
LOCH FRISA heads out to Craignure.
I moved to Pulpit Hill for the afternoon – CAPE RACE still at anchor.
ISLE OF LEWIS heads out to Castlebay – the foliage around the viewing area has grown over the years and makes getting photos clear difficult.
ISLE OF MULL arrives from Lochboisdale.
CORUISK arrives and holds position…
…until LOCH FRISA heads out.
CLANSMAN returns from Coll/Tiree and has to wait…
… for ISLE OF MULL to depart. It’s quite sad to see her with very few passengers due to having no safety evacuation system capable of handling more than 45 persons.
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Friday – last full day.
My first shot this trip of HAVGULL heading out.
BESSIE ELLEN inward for North pier.
Having been to the North pier, the Dutch sailing vessel STEADY returns to the moorings.
ISLE OF MULL arrives just after midday.
CLANSMAN returns just before 14:00.
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Saturday – check out day.
ELIZABETH-G still on the moorings.
The only well boat of the week – SETTLER sails from the Lighthouse pier as we set off homeward bound.