Mallaig, West Highland Coast of Scotland
Many a small harbour round our coastline finds room for a local ship repair yard…often it is a tight squeeze between high water level, workshops and fish merchants, all vying for space. Equally amazing it the skill and initiative used to accomplish the most challenging of tasks….not just a paint job but maybe even a new side piece and whilst that is all going on they tackle an engine refit.
17th March
(C) David Oakes 2018
DAVID OAKES - IMAGES. 
Mallaich, 1984. I arrived from Kyle of Lochalsh on a sea tug, being used as a ferry. There was still no bridge between Kyle and Skye. It was August and the ferry from Kyle to Skye did not sail that day anymore. Too much wind. I took a decision that I still regret… I bought a ticket to Mallaigh, As lon as we sailed with Skye as protection on our starboard it was not too bad. But before the end of Skye we were already attacked by a South Western gale force 9 from the Atlantic Ocean. The tug, excuse me, the ferry, turned left to cross in a straight line towards Mallaigh. Disembarkation in green, as I call it now. I wen straight to the white hotel near the port. And steyed there for two nights. The landlady took good care of me and she made me eat. Slowly I healed… Two days after my trip on this tug, pardon, ferry, I was well enough to catch the train to Glasgow. It was by far the best train journey I ever made. Never seen such a fantastic landscape. This was a week of deep lows ending on a great High! I still travel in ferry’s. Never smalls anymore. Today I bring ginger with me. It’s the best for the stomach!
Thank you for thinking about that week again. It had started with the Edinborough Tattoo and ended in a students room of Glasgow University. All in all, even though I have never been back in Scotland, it’s high up on my bucket list. 🙂
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A trip to remember…but then again we always find Scotland exciting in all weathers 🙂
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