SMALL ISLES, BIG CRUISING

Each time we have sailed around the point of Ardnamurchan, up from the sound of Mull, we have been accompanied by different weather; sideways rain and fog being the most memorable. In clear skies, however, the view never fails to excite as four distinctive shapes that rise from the water between Ardnamurchan and Skye become clearer; the Small Isles. A flatter island, Muck is closest, with the crust of rock of Eigg beyond and the mountains of Rùm indistinguishable at this point from the Cullins of Skye in the distance. Furthest away and not always visible is Canna. Last summer, we sailed to them all for the first time aboard our Sadler 26 while on passage to and from Skye, the Ardnamurchan mainland, and the Outer Hebrides. Since then, we have continued to visit, zig-zagging between them, stopping for shelter in their anchorages, and exploring them by kayak and foot.

WARM WELCOME

The first isle we visited was Muck, the smallest of the islands and the lowest lying. It was recommended to us by a yachtsman who rowed over to speak to us when we were anchored up in Loch Moidart. ‘Have you