On day two, our crews set off early past the isle of Mull and into the sound of Jura. Their destination today was the entrance to the Crinan canal, taking in the stunning scenery of the islands, famous for their malt whiskies, and racing through the waves of the open water.

As the weather turned and the skies clouded over, our crews donned their wet weather gear and kept their course and maintained their speed, a little rain not deterring them from the task ahead, nad nothing can dampen their spirits!

Leaving Kerrera
Clearlake II motoring out of Kerrera

As there is nowhere to moor up outside the Crinan sea lock, our convoy needed to arrive in time to lock in before 1600, and they made it with time to spare.  Soon they were safely moored, warming themselves with a good meal on board and getting some well deserved rest before the challenges of the next day.

Who wouldn't want to live here?

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

As one leg ends, another begins. With new crews on board, Clearlake II and Ashanti leave the Caledonian canal and set off toward Kerrera, an island near the town of Oban, in beautiful sunshine and fair winds to send them on their way.

After leaving Fort William, there was a great few hours of sailing for our  crews to enjoy, and a complete change from the steady procession  through the canal. Our convoy raced through the water of Loch Linnie, heading south to Glencoe in the sunshine.

Locking out at Fort William
Leaving Fort William for the sea

With the majestic Ben Nevis still towering in the background, our crews were shown some of the best sailing in the highlands and islands of western Scotland as they travelled to their overnight stop at Oban. With the boats resupplied and raring to go, everyone on board was able to enjoy their surroundings, the excitement building for the week ahead.

Sunshine, wind and open water!
Heading downwind toward Oban

The sail4macmillan cruise offers not only some great sailing in British waters, but also a chance to support a great cause and provide some much needed help for those who really need it.

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

On the final sailing day of this leg, our crews descended the eight locks of Neptune's Staircase.

Built by Thomas Telford, along with the rest of the canal, between 1803 and 1822, it remains the longest staircase lock in Britain and a fitting end to the astonishing mix of natural beauty and civil engineering that is the Caledonian canal.

Once permission is granted to enter the staircase, it takes around 90 minuted to descend (which seems a long time as you can walk the whole way in around five), however there is always work to be done as the vessels need carefully leading through each gate and holding fast as each lock empties into the next.

The view from below can be a little intimidating!
Our crew all together for the final meal of the leg

As is becoming a tradition on the round Britain, our crews met for a final meal together before some return home the next day, and some remain for another leg. There is always an eclectic mixture of people making up our crews, with the common factor being their love of being on the water and their want of adventure, and this week has been no exception.

A quick repair ready for the next leg

As the crews change over, there is time for our skippers to undertake any repairs that may be needed aboard, and this week was no exception. Ashanti's bilge pump had been misbehaving for a few days and, thanks to our good friends at Marinestore, there was a shiny new one waiting for us as our boats reached the end of the staircase and our skipper Colin had it up and running within moments.

A great big thank you to all of the people who have supported us so far on the sail4macmillan round Britain cruise for Macmillan Cancer Support, both on board and at home, we really appreciate every one of you, and your support will make a huge difference to the lives of those affected by cancer. To those still to join us, we can't wait to meet you!

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

Travelling to Bannavie sees our crews take on Loch Lochy, the second largest of the Lochs along the canal, giving our crews more hands-on experience tacking their way across the wind and up the Loch towards Neptune's Staircase.

After leaving one of the locked sections of the canal, the boats set out across the water into a mixed bag of sunshine and cloud, the landscape ever changing as the light bounces off different crags and crevices along the way.

Locking out in the morning

 

Getting ready to tack up Lochy

 

It's a tight squeeze!
Ben Nevis scraping the clouds

The imposing sight of Ben Nevis, capped with snow even in May, looms over our crew as they reach Bannavie on the penultimate day of this leg. The famous giant is one of the most recognisable landmarks along our entire route, and a fitting end point for the day as our crews ready themselves to descend Neptune's Staircase tomorrow.

Ashanti locking in

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

Day 4 of this leg of the sail4macmillan round Britain cruise saw Ashanti and Clearlake II set off for the Laggan locks, whilst tacking their way across Loch Oich on the way.

As we have one skipper and a couple of crew taking on the whole trip (all seven legs!) this year, the slower pace offers a little respite from the long offshore stretches, and those joining us for this leg of the journey the open water of the Lochs offer a taste of the excitement of sailing without being overwhelming.

Locks look stunning at night
The Barge Inn, a good watering hole for the evening!

As our crews arrived at Laggan, they discovered The Barge Inn, a converted barge on the banks of the canal, which proved to be a good watering hole for the evening, and the walk back provided a view of the locks at night, stunningly lit and majestic against the dramatic backdrop of the highlands.

Scenery and sunshine, a duet of pleasures

Throughout this trip, our crews are helping to raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support, aiding them in giving the crucial help they provide for so many.

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

Life on the canal is at a relaxed place, and the leg from Fort Augustus to Kytra is no exception. There is ample opportunity to explore the small towns and huge expanses of landscape that make up the Caledonian canal, whilst still enjoying life on the water.

As the canal links together several Lochs across Scotland there is still ample opportunity for an adrenaline rush, alongside time set aside for afternoon tea!

Ashanti with two of our sponsors
A cream tea never goes amiss!

After negotiating a series of locks and swing bridges, our crews moored up for the night and prepared for the following day, after a good meal of course!

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

As the sun rose on Tuesday morning, our crews awoke to the sound of birdsong and the prospect of sailing on one of the world's most famous bodies of water - Loch Ness. Whether one believes in the mythical creature that is supposed to inhabit these waters or not, it is rare to find a person unaware of the tale of the Loch Ness monster.

Buoys marking the entrance to Loch Ness

After negotiating a lock or two, our vessels passed through the entrance channel to the Loch which, despite being inland, provides many of the challenges that can be faced out at sea (a couple of years ago we experienced a force 9 gale on here!) and yet close enough to shore so as to not concern those who are new to sailing.

Clearlake II with an absolutely stunning backdrop

Loch Ness is huge, and deeper than the north sea, and so takes the best part of a day to cross especially when tacking your way across, and today was no exception. Shortly after midday our crews anchored near the beautiful Urquhart castle for lunch before setting off once again for Fort Augustus, enjoying yet more of the highland scenery, and even the sun finally made an appearance!

Urquhart castle
Who says the sun never shines in Scotland?
Nessie bones? Or just an old fence?

As our crews entered Fort Augustus, it was certainly time for a good meal and a rest. Tomorrow they will be setting out again for another day of breathtaking scenery, locks, bridges and wonderful people.

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

Leg 3 sees two new crews join our boats at Inverness and, after a re-stocking of supplies, sail4macmillan's Round Britain sets out along the Caledonian canal for a few days of peaceful sailing toward Fort William.

Locking in at Clachnaharry

After locking in at the Clachnaharry sea lock, Ashanti and Clearlake II begin to saunter toward their first overnight mooring at Dochgarroch, and with plenty of time to enjoy the stunning scenery of the Scottish highlands along the way.

You need a good aim throwing the lines

The canal offers an array of unique challenges. There are a total of 29 locks along the way, and so our crews boat handling skills will be tested, and good throwing arms will be developed when hurling lines up to those on the lock walls. Also there are a series of swing bridges that need to be negotiated along the way, so timing and communication will be vital!

Entering the canal

Our crews were soon safely moored at Dochgarroch, and ready for a good meal on board. It is a very different pace on the canal, as those who are continuing from a previous leg found out much to their pleasure. Although it is not as wild as offshore there is still plenty to see and do!

A highland cow made of chains - not something you often see whilst on deck!

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

 

 

Our crews departed Lossiemouth at 1030, following a hearty breakfast, setting sail for Inverness only 40 miles away. A day ahead of schedule, this would mean Saturday could be spent playing around in the Moray Firth, and generally enjoying a job well done!

Clearly the most important meal of the day!

Again the winds were favourable and Clearlake II and Ashanti were soon darting through the water once more, with their crews taking it in turn at the helm, keeping them on course.

Clearlake II approaching Inverness

With such good wind, our vessels were soon passing under the Kessock bridge and entering the Moray Firth, where this leg of the trip ends and another begins. Before that though, there is another day of beautiful sailing to be had, with no destination in mind, just enjoying being on the water.

Clearlake II approaching the Kessock bridge
Passing under the bridge

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

At 1000 Thursday morning, our crews left the crystal waters of Peterhead and set sail for Lossiemouth, again with winds of force 4 to 5, and so it was time to get some good sailing in. After the challenges of the day before our boats had earned the right to 'stretch their legs' and those on board were more than happy to oblige!

A happy crew on Ashanti, glad to be under sail

With winds over 30 knots our yachts were hurtling along, even with two reefs in the main sail, and covered a massive seventy miles in just ten and a half hours, arriving at Lossiemouth at 2030.

Having lunch on deck is one of the many delights to be experienced at sea.

As Lossiemouth appeared over the horizon, it became apparent that an area of unusually high atmospheric pressure meant an extremely low tide. This left the water in the marina too shallow on the draft for Ashanti and Clearlake II to enter their berths, and so they needed to moor up against the marina wall. This was not an issue for our crews, who tucked into a delicious meal on board before nipping ashore for a well earned drink.

Ashanti moored against the Marina wall at Lossiemouth.

One of the many great things about the sail4macmillan round Britain cruise is that anybody can take part (the youngest on board Ashanti this week is 65!) and provides an opportunity for anybody to experience of sailing on the open sea whilst raising money for a great cause.

A big thank you is owed to Amanda at Lossiemouth marina for a very kind donation to Macmillan Cancer Support, as well as the provision of free berthing for our two vessels. Your generosity is very much appreciated and will make a huge difference to someone in need of their support.

If you wish to support our crews on their voyage, and help Macmillan Cancer Support continue their vital work with those affected by cancer, please follow this link to our justgiving page:

www.justgiving.com/fundraising/premier-sailing

Thank you.

Good wind and calm seas make for great sailing!
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