Tim Fooks - From Chichester to Craobh Haven, Scotland

City Livery Yacht Club member Tim Fooks completed a marvellous 1500 mile cruise over Summer 2022 and we are delighted to share his report and stunning photographs

During Summer 2022, I took Gryphon, my Nauticat 385 sloop, to the West Coast of Scotland via the West Country, the Isles of Scilly and the Atlantic Coast of Ireland. It was a cruise of almost seven weeks and 1500nm. I was accompanied by one or two crew.

The structure of the cruise was as follows:

Part 1: West County Cruise including Salcombe, Yealm River, Plymouth, Fowey, Helford River Plymouth and Isles of Scilly

Part 2: Tresco to Dinge via Crosshaven, Kinsale, Glendore, Baltimore, Schull, Crookhaven, Bantry, Glengarriff, Derrynane, Great Skellig, Valencia and Dingle

Part 3: Dingle to Portrush via Kilrush (Shannon River), Aran Islands, Inishbofin, Broad Haven, Teelin, the Cruit Islands, Mulroy Bay, Lough Swilly, Bann River, Rathlin Island, Portrush

Part 4: N Ireland to Loch Shuna via Port Ellen and Ardmore Islands (Islay), Loch Tarbert (Jura), The Gulf of Correyvreckan, Achanarnich Bay, Craobh Haven (Loch Shuna)

Part 5: Circumnavigation of Mull: via Puilladobhrain, Lismore Island, Tobermory, Treshnish Islands, Staffa (Fingles Cave), The Sound of Iona, Tinker’s Hole Anchorage, and back to Croabh via the Gulf of Correyvreckan.

The weather conditions during the late Summer were kind to yachtsman this year and I was weather-bound for only two days.

Highlights were numerous:

Spectacular 20 hr 135nm Celtic Sea crossing in a SW F5-6
Taking the dinghy through the tidal rapids to enter Lough Hyne in Cork County, SW Ireland
Visiting the Fastnet Rock in calm conditions
The beautiful garden on Garnish Island, Glengarriff, Kerry
The Derrynane natural harbour with its narrow rock strewn entrance (and excellent Guinness in the nearby pub)
Landing on the 218m tall Great Skellig (no anchorage) to visit the 8^th Century monastery set on a cliff edge.
The beautiful island of Inishbofin off the Connemara coast in County Galway.
Sailing North with the Atlantic Swell on the beam in a F5
The 2000ft high cliffs of Slieve League, Donegal
The interlinked sea loughs of Mulroy Bay, Donegal with a very complex tidal pattern – we were told we were the first yacht to visit the anchorage in Rosnakil Bay in living memory.
Rathlin Island – North Ireland’s only off-shore island
Delicious whisky at Lephroaig and Lagavulin distilleries, Islay
Spectacular sunset in Loch Tarbert, Jura
Passing through the Great Race of the Gulf of Correyvreckan for the first time with a 7kn tidal stream under my keel.
The 360 degree view of the Highlands and Islands from Barr Mor on Lismore Island
The Fish Café in Tobermory
Tinker’s Hole anchorage amongst the pink granite of the Ross of Mull.
Sailing with my ensign at half-mast day and night in honour of the Queen

All in all it was a journey along spectacular coastlines in largely good weather. I had great crew, some wonderful sailing, fascinating pilotage and a very splendid yacht. I have been a very fortunate yachtsman this year.

Tim Fooks

Winner of the Maclennan Cup for the best boating achievement, 2022

Main photo above: Loch Tarbert, Jura

Mill Bay, Salcombe