We left Stornoway at 07-10 on an overcast day with good visibility so we could see the mainland Scottish mountains in the distance to the east. We set a course to steer of 053 degrees and maintained a good average of at least 6.5 kts. As we approached Cape Wrath we experienced a confused sea with a westerly atlantic swell interacting with a shorter sea driven by a force 4 wind from the south west. We made good progress arriving at Cape Wrath shortly after the tide had turned in our favour. By 15-00 we were off Cape Wrath with a SOG of 8.6 kts.
A confused sea off the aptly named Cape Wrath.
After rounding Cape Wrath we came into the 'shelter' of the Cape, the sea smoothed out and we were conveyed on the tide to the east, reaching a maximum ground speed of 9.9 kts. Our heading was well inshore as we didn't want to be swept past the entrance to Loch Eribol! We anchored in Rispond Bay at 17-05 after logging 63NM through the water.
Approaching Loch Eribol in a welcome smoother sea.
''Norman James'' at anchor in Rispond Bay
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