This morning the bay was a hive of activity.
There were all manner of comings and goings.
However it was mainly goings – vehicles and passengers.

There were several moored yachts.
Other craft were causing a wave.
And then there was the ferry.

Before 8:00am vehicles and foot passengers had begun arriving.
Coaches provided a shuttle service from the festival site.
Thankfully for those queuing the weather was sunny.

To the applause of many – several musicians struck up.
This in turn resulted in dancers taking to the pier.
This all added to the colour of the occasion.
As did the tune from the waiting piper.

Festival goers had arrived on the island over several days.
The exodus on the other hand is more concentrated.
About 1200 people departing today, Monday.

Safety is always a major concern.
With such numbers it was a case of all pier staff on duty.
Vehicles have to be marshalled and passengers controlled.
It has to be said the pier staff perform their duties impeccably.
They handle everything and everyone with friendly professionalism.

The MV Isle of Mull normally plies between Oban and Craignure on Mull.
Compared to the MV Clansman she can carry more passengers.
So this morning the ferry on duty was the MV Isle of Mull.
She departed Oban Ferry Terminal at 5:45am
Berthing at Tiree was at 10:00am.

Festival traffic puts pressure on other traffic.
Residents may need to travel urgently to the Mainland.
Other commercial vehicles need to be accommodated on the ferry.
Monday is often the day when the lorry transporting shell fish travels.

The whole operation, off-loading and loading, took 1 hour 25 minutes.
This resulted in the ferry departing Tiree 25 minutes late.
Regulations demand passenger numbers be counted.
Unlike trains, there can never be any over loading.
Passengers numbers were below capacity.
But the car (vehicle) deck was full.

When the ferry was alongside the pier a plane flew overhead.
This was the second of three flights to Glasgow today.
Even with this additional flight numbers are low.
The Twin Otters have a very limited capacity.

This evening the ‘Mighty Clansman’ will be on duty.
She can carry more vehicles than the ‘Isle of Mull’.
However she can carry fewer passengers.
Will some have left it too late to sail?
Will they all get away this evening?

One question – ‘How did the gulls know?’
There was an unusual number of gulls this morning.
How did they know that there would be rich pickings today?

This is Life Tiree.
Waiting now to see if all the foot passengers get away this evening!