 FLEET FEATURES
|
 Main
SoC
Crew Al's April
Diary
|
|
|
SOC
CREW OUTING - April 2005
|
|
|
|
The return journey was exactly a week later. As we arrived at the pier,
all was normal, or we thought. The weather was poor, wet and windy, as
seen on many a day at Tiree. As I prepared myself for no photos on the return
journey to Oban, I noticed out in the distance, a vessel was turning the
point. This vessel was not one I recognised to be the Lord of the Isles,
but rather her elder sister, the Isle of Arran. I was very intrigued to the cause
of the Lord of the Isles not being here, so I went to investigate. I found
out that Loti had a mechanical problem and the Arran was covering her while
repairs were carried out. By this time Isle of Arran was round the point and vastly
approaching the berth. In view of the weather I made for a sheltered
spot. I could not miss this opportunity for photos of the Isle of Arran at Scarinish. |
|
Isle of Arran approaching Tiree |
Isle of Arran alongside
Scarinish
|
|
After making a very cautious approach to the berth, the Isle of Arran tied up, and
the stern door was lowered onto the linkspan. Passengers and cars quickly disembarked and the
queue
at the top of the pier was ordered down to the Linkspan. She wasn't moving
as much at the pier as I would of thought, seeing as the weather was so bad.
We drove on to the newly strengthened car deck. On my way up on deck, I had
a good look at the new car deck, noting the difference in height compared to
the old one. Once up on deck I realised how old the Isle of Arran really
was. I had not been on her in some time, so I did not appreciate the
difference between her and the younger by 1 year, Hebridean Isles. |
|
Up on deck once more, we pulled away from Scarinish, and Tiree. It would be
another 4 months until my return. The Captain came over the loud speaker
welcoming us aboard for this journey to Coll and Oban. As we rounded the
point, and the pier went out of sight, we made for the Cafeteria and some
lunch. When we emerged from the cafe, we were approaching Coll, and once
more the Captain came over the loud speaker announcing our immediate arrival. |
|
Isle of Arran approaching Coll |
Unusual view of Arinagour Pier
|
|
Taking full advantage of the walk round at the front, I set up shop beneath
the bridge wing, sheltering from the rain, with a great view. What else could
I
ask for! As we approached the berth, the Captain smoothly spun the vessel on the
end of the pier to get the stern into the linkspan. This gave for a very
unusual view of the back of the pier, a view you don't usual get from Loti.
This side of the berth was also used long before the linkspan was built,
when vessels including the Claymore (1955), Loch Seaforth and Columba were on
the run. It was only used when the other berth was occupied.
|
|
Cars loading at Coll |
View forward to the Bridge
|
|
|
|
Ropes untied, engines full ahead, we were off once more, this time for the
Sound of Mull. After consulting the Timetable, I noted that Clansman would
be outward bound to Barra, and that we would meet her at some point in the Sound.
Until then, I thought a bit of quality time spent reading the paper was in
order. Once the paper was read from front to back, then back to front, I
proceeded up on deck once more to under the bridge wing as the rain was back
on, and very heavy. After waiting for sometime, a shadow appeared through
the grey clouds over hanging the Sound of Mull, so I zoomed full in to
see what it was. I didn't notice that the Loch Fyne was also in the picture
until I looked at them on the computer later that night. |
Clansman and Loch Fyne |
|
|
|
Clansman in the Sound of Mull |
Clansman Heading for Barra
|
|
The Clansman approached very quickly, which meant I had to snap like crazy.
She was very close, which gave great photos, even in the wet and misty
weather. As she passed, her brand new bridge windows were in full view. The middle of the side windows were lengthened to match the others.
This was done to give the skipper a better view while berthing at piers.
She powered past us at her usual 16.5 knots, give or take a few depending
on the tide, creating that very unusual bow wave only produced by her and
her sister Hebrides. |
|
With the Clansman now clear of our baffles and on her course to Barra I
turned to see where the Loch Fyne was. With weather not getting any
better, it took me a while to spot her through the rain and mist. She was
sitting at Fishnish. As the Isle of Arran pushed her way down the Sound of
Mull, I had visions of the Loch Fyne leaving early to get across in front
of us. |
|
Loch Fyne leaving Fishnish |
Loch Fyne crossing to Lochaline |
|
When we approached to pass Fishnish, the Loch Fyne pulled her ramp off the
slip and left for Lochaline. I thought my luck was in today, seeing all
this ferry action. With us passing the Clansman where we did, it meant
we were over the Fishnish side of the Sound. This made for excellent photos as
the Loch Fyne came very close to the Arran as she passed round our stern. The
walk round deck at the front of the Arran coming into full use once more. |
|
After the Loch Fyne went out of sight, I again returned for shelter at the
bridge wing. I thought to myself I had seen it all. How wrong I was. As we did our turn at
Lismore Light, for the straight
course to the Red Lady, with Craignure to our right, the Lord of the Isles
came into view. She was making a steady course for the entrance to the Sound of
Mull, but
she hadn't come from the north exit of Oban, but from the south, through the
Sound of Kerrera. She was out testing her recent repairs to her stabiliser.
This gave another great photo opportunity. The 6x optical zoom on my camera
came into its own as she was far away from us as she passed. After slowing
up to let the Isle of Mull out of Craignure, the Lord of the Isles berthed
on the spare side of the pier for general maintenance, and additional
modifications to her stabiliser. |
|
Lord of the Isles out on Trials |
Lord of the Isles passing Duart
Castle |
|
By this time we were carrying out the sharp turn into Oban Bay, passing Dunollie Castle to our left.
On the shore near the lighthouse was SoC Crew
Member, Dave Wolstenholme, with camera in hand. Thankfully snapping the
unusual event of the Isle of Arran entering Oban Bay. As we waved our
hellos, we slowly approached the linkspan and the visor opened. The Captain
came over the loud speaker for the last time informing us of our arrival in
Oban, and the end of my Holiday. |
|
|
 All text and images by Alan Neill |
|
Click here to see the previous day...
or here to go back to
SoC Crew or here to see more Crew
activities
|
|
 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. |
SoC
HOME 
