The weather forecast was a bit grim with driving rain and the wind coming from the south (the direction we needed to go) with the forecast indicating F4/5 occasional F6. By this time we were getting cabin fever and really keen to make a move and start our trip. Therefore we decided to get out the marina and go over towards the north of Arran and if Kilbrannan Sound was too lumpy we would simply divert to Tarbert or Portavadie.

When we arrived at the north end of Arran we decided that the conditions, whilst not ideal, were manageable enough to let us get down to Campbeltown and be well positioned to cross the North Channel. The visibility was very poor, the sea lumpy and when we arrived north of the shallow banks in the middle of the Sound, I took one look at the size of the waves (wind against tide situation combined with a shallow bank and uneven sea bed = really lumpy water) and quickly altered course to starboard and went over to the Carradale side and down to Campbeltown.

Finally after seven hours we entered the calm of Campbeltown Loch and took a berth at the marina tired but pleased we had finally started our trip, and celebrated with the ubiquitous Fish n’ Chips.