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Main SoC Crew Al's April Diary

SOC CREW OUTING - April 2005

The first day of the holidays found the SoC Chief News Reporter getting up at the back of 5am for the trip north to Oban. We set off on the A82. The road would take us up the side of Loch Lomond through Crianlarich and Tyndrum on to the A85 to Oban.
Bruernish lying in Oban	Lord of the Isles at Oban Linkspan
When we arrived in Oban, the Lord of the Isles was at the linkspan and the Bruernish at the Lismore berth. We rounded the Bay to Oban ferry Terminal to find it empty. We were extremely early for the 9 am departure, so the ramp had not yet been lowered. As we waited, I decided to go and have a nosy at the new Terminal building. When I returned I found the Ramp being lowered. There were only 4 cars and a van going on this sailing, I realised that the trip out would be quiet. We were ordered forward to board the ferry, down the linkspan and on the Bow ramp, as the car deck was empty, we were parked at the stern, ready to drive off first.
Lord of the Isles at Oban linkspan	The new Oban Terminal Building
After climbing the stairs, we found a seat in the bar. As the Captain came over the speaker announcing the soon departure to Tiree, I consulted the Timetable. The Previous night I had noted that the Isle of Mull would be returning to Oban from her overnight stay at Craignure. So I preceded to gather the camera and head up on deck to catch her in the Firth of Lorne. On the way I made a slight detour via the Cafeteria to grab myself a sausage roll, with plenty of ketchup.
Up on deck, as we sterned effortlessly out of the linkspan, the safety message came over the loud speaker informing us of the safety procedures in place on the vessel. We crossed Oban Bay and swung round the Corran Ledge marker buoy before passing the northern end of Kerrera and heading out into the Firth of Lorne. As expected, in the distance, the Isle of Mull was making her way to Oban, so I prepared myself, in the perfect position, waiting for her to approach. She passed very quickly, as she was sailing at 15 knots in one direction and we were sailing at 16 knots in the opposite direction, this makes for a very short and tense photo opportunity.
Isle of Mull on-route to Oban	Isle of Mull nearing Oban

As the Isle of Mull passed, I turned my attention to the ever nearing Lismore Light. I am always fascinated by this Lighthouse as every photo I have taken turns out amazing. With the mountains of the northern glens under a very unusual light, I snapped, capturing the lighthouse in darkness, with the glens in full sunshine. We continued on our journey passing Duart Castle, and then Craignure further up on our left, the main port on Mull, where the Isle of Mull sails to from Oban. Unfortunately where I was standing to take the pictures of Lismore Lighthouse, I was adjacent to the galley ventilation duct, where I was overcome with delicious smells from the deck below. So with my camera switched off, I went below for a well deserved feast.		Lismore Lighthouse

Loch Fyne at Lochaline	Loch Fyne crossing to Fishnish
When I surfaced from the cafeteria, a good few pounds heavier, we were now in the Sound of Mull. As we sailed through the narrows we came across Lochaline, and another photo opportunity, this time the Loch Fyne. I consulted the timetable to see if she would be out in the Sound, but she was not due for another hour. However I decided to go up on deck anyway to see if I could get a glimpse of her at the slip. After getting a few shots of her until she went out of sight, I decided to make my way back indoors, when something moving out of the corner of my eye caught my attention. Low and behold the Loch Fyne was crossing to Fishnish. I did not waste time on wondering why the heck she was doing this, so I switched on the camera, holding the zoom button until the noise had stopped, and began clicking. Only when I finally went in doors and consulted the timetable for a third time did I realise I was looking at Saturdays timetable and not Sundays. The attraction of a few hours sleep until Coll was now warranted so I headed for the lounge.
I awoke after one of the best sleeps, to the captain informing us we would shortly be arriving at Coll. I grabbed the camera and made a run for the upper deck of Loti, for some pictures of our approach. The weather was fantastic. With ease the Captain swung us around into the berth, for the brief call at the linkspan. I decided that because it was only 50 minutes until we arrived in Tiree, and it was such a nice day, I would stay up on deck.
Lord of the Isles berthing at Coll		Tiree as we approached
On our arrival at Tiree we swung round the point into Gott Bay, the pier was now in view. The Captain came over the loud speaker warning us that shortly the stabilisers will be pulled in to let us along side, so she may roll a bit in the swell, so would everyone be seated while this manoeuvre was being carried out. As I was half way down a flight of stairs at this point in time, I had no hesitation to make a beeline for a chair. After docking was complete, I made my way towards the gangway, as I wanted to walk off the vessel. Once I was off the gangway, and safely on dry land, I noticed a giant hole in the side of the passenger building on the pier, I eventually concluded that one of the gangways must of gone through it in the storm back in January.
After unloading and loading her cargo for the return journey to Coll and finally Oban, the Lord of the Isles restarted her engines. Powering up, the Captain came back on the loud speaker welcoming everyone for the return journey, and asking them to listen to the safety announcement. While this was going on I was making a run for the rocks next to the old pier. As the tide was out, I was able to get right up close to her as she was leaving, and get very unusual pictures of her on this fantastic day. With the ropes loosened, under the Captains guidance, she pulled effortlessly off the pier and out into the bay. Rounding the point and setting the course for Coll, she was away.
Lord of the Isles alongside Tiree	Lord of the Isles departing for Coll
All text and images by Alan Neill
Click here to see the return journey...

SoC Useful Links:
To see a more detailed description of the islands and photos, visit Undiscovered Scotland and click on a place.
To view details of the crossings we have been on see the Crossings section, or for the vessels featured in this diary, see Ships of the Fleet and click on a vessel name.