Portree Skye

Left Loch Horn bright and early. The last pool of the loch, where we were anchored was silky smooth but we had some shallows and narrows to negotiate before we were back in the clear again. As we began to see the isle of Skye again the wind began to rise. A nice little 20kt reach all the way to Kyle of loch Alsh. The xtra wind had made us 40 minutes early on the tide. I didn’t think this would be a problem, and luckily it wasn’t. But I had definitely misjudged the forces at play here. We were sailing down wind with 25kts behind us into a tide of 4 knots. We got quite a buffeting in the entrance by the ferry. Then we were making steady progress in the narrowing channel which had a 6 knots of adverse tide. We would not of made it through without 25 knots of breeze. We then made a school boy mistake, one which I believe is common at this point. At the end of the Kyle you turn left towards the skye bridge. The tide dissipates and you get the full force of the 25 kts on the side of the boat . All hands on deck to get some sail in and gain control through the narrows under the bridge. Once through the bridge with 2 reefs in and sailing under jib we sailed up wind past scapay and Rassay. With the wind peaking just under 30kts. Morvenna has impeccable manors in these conditions so tea and chocolate all the way.
Once in Portree harbour area we picked up a bouy and headed to shore for a pint and some supper. We had used one whole gas canister this trip and though it best to find a replacement while still in the UK. 2 phone calls and a walk to the industrial estate. Job done.Read more