Bedtime and still no sign of an alert.
At the very least you would expect a yellow warning.
The wind was gusting to 46mph SSE with little sign of abating.

Wednesday’s Moonrise

Wednesday’s sunset

It had been a fine sunset and an almost full moon.
With occasion to go out we were conscious of the rising wind.
For the past two Thursdays the ferry had not attempted the crossing.
Was this about to be the third Thursday in a row with no ferry to Tiree?

At breakfast we look out on a Tiree special!
Once again it was a most impressive sunrise.
It was no surprise that the wind was gusting at over 40mph.
What was surprising was there still no alert regarding the ferry.

At 7.15am the ferry had left the sheltered waters of Oban.
By the time it attempted to berth at Coll we would get an alert.
But 10:00am and there was still no change to the ferry’s status.

The Clansman’s Bridge – A watchful eye

From midship the lead for bow ropes is thrown

At the roundhead the pier staff catch the rope in bitterly cold winds

At 11:05am the ferry berthed at Tiree.
Certainly the low tide was to the ferry’s advantage.
There was no gangway with foot passengers using the car deck.

With the bridge in control.
First the stern ropes were secured.
Then the stern was swung round to the pier.
Finally the stern winter ropes were well secured.

There was no hanging around this morning.
Once the vessel was secure it headed out to sea.
Normally bow and stern ropes are released together.
This morning the stern ropes were released first of all.
The stern was then thrust out before the bow ropes were released.

In galleries double-click for larger photographs

Heading out to sea in swell conditions

Heading out to sea in swell conditions

Heading out to sea in swell conditions

The Mighty Clansman certainly powered out into the Passage of Tiree.
There was an impressive bow wave as she headed into the SSE wind.
For the passengers it would be calmer as she turned towards Coll.

You know you are at sea

This is the life

Turning to head for Coll

Back on land time to deliver some meals.
There were grand views of neighbouring islands.
It was great to look out on a snow capping Isle of Rum.

Island view

Island View

Island View

The skerries that surround Tiree can be a hazard to the unwary.
However, they certainly help protect low lying Tiree.
Today the waves were breaking on the skerries.
And the wind whipped the spindrift.

THIS IS LIFE ON TIREE
For the Mighty One Nae Problem!