Mon 3 Aug, Day 116 - Starting the Run South

Return Match with the Pentland Firth

Departed Stromness at 0600 to make the correct time between the islands of Swona and Stroma to catch slack water and then the east-going flood tidal stream. As a note, the tidal streams for the Pentland Firth are predicted based upon Tides for Dover, as are many other areas of the UK. Interestingly enough we discovered the tides at Muckle Skerry match those of Dover. We just love the names of all these places.

We motored past Hoy Sound (the western entrance to Scapa Flow), the islands of Graemsay, Cava, Rysa Little, Fara, Flotta and South Walls. The island of Hoy was, of course, in the background all the time. As we passed between Cantick Head on South Walls and the island of Switha, the engine went off and we sailed all the way across the Pentland Firth. Some interesting swirls of water, even when the tidal stream was close to slack water, demonstrated to us in no uncertain terms that the Pentland Firth must be treated with great care and respect.

Made it to the gap between Swona and Stroma about 6 minutes earlier than planned, and we then aimed for a point 1M east of Duncansby Head for a peaceful rounding, while being whooshed down with the flood tide all the way to Wick.
Arrived at Wick at HW slack and made a peaceful entry into the harbour.

Poor Barbara managed to pick up some kind of coldy fluey bug thing on our last day on Orkney, so today she stood her watches and harbour duties, but slept quite a lot. We hope she feels better tomorrow for the run down to Lossiemouth.Read more