. . . . . . Nomad 151: Barra, S. Uist, Canna, Skye, Mallaig

Had a great sail up from Barra to Loch Boisdale on South Uist. A gale was forecast so we left early and were safely on a mooring by the time the weather closed in. The Annual Loch Boisdale Hill run took place while we were there. About 25 men & 3 women set off from the hotel, ran to the loch, swam across, ran up the hill and then back down and back across the loch. What amused me was that when they crossed the finishing line, they all stood around drinking beer, smoking & cheering their mates on for half an hour or so with not a space blanket in sight. They must have been frozen, but so macho!! From Loch Boisdale we left the Outer Hebrides and headed for Canna, which we loved. A terrific natural harbour, a great cafe with the best fish and chips ever, particularly friendly locals, sunshine and a good walk up to the top of the island to get a birds eye view of the anchorage. Last night we spent in Loch Scavaig, Skye. Definitely our most dramatic anchorage so far with the Cuillens towering up out of the sea right next to us. The photos don't really do it justice. There is also a large inland loch about 200m from the anchorage where you feel like you are right up in the mountains - not 200 yards from the boat. Now in Mallaig - our first real civilisation for 12 days or so - plugged into the electrics, charging everything, filling up with water, doing the washing etc.