04 ISLAY AND IT'S NEIGHBOURS

Islay is the most southerly of the Hebridean Islands and one of the most populace with over 3000 residents.  It's main village is (by island standards) quite a busy wee place.  Other parts of the island have great walk and beautiful beaches to explore.   

The south coast has some lovely intricate anchorages where we can  nestle in, protected from the Atlantic by rocky outcrops.   Port Ellen is around 40 miles from our base at Craobh Haven but from here the Northen Irish coast is only another 20 miles.  It can be clearly seen on a good day and if the winds are favourable we may just hop over to Rathlin island.   Its another charming little spot, the harbour is just about deep enough for us so we'll be able to get ashore for a wander and maybe a call in at McCuaig's Bar, a great place for a pint of Guinness and some local music.    Getting to and from Islay we'll pass by Jura.  Depending on the tides we may head through the Corryvreckan.  This is a narrow stretch of water between Jura and Scarba.  It's an infamous spot because wind and currents can combine to create huge whirlpools but if we pick the right time we can just waft through wondering what all the fuss is about.  Another likely stop, a few miles north of Islay is Colonsay.  There is a great sheltered anchorage on the east at Scalasaig.  From here there's a lovely walk to Kiloran Bay on the west, one of the best beaches to be found anywhere in Scotland.  We've been to a great Ceilidh on Colonsay and a couple of years ago when we were sailing this way at night we were treated to an amazing display of dolphins swimming by the boat, lit up in the dark by sparkling phosphorescence.