As we approached the
tidal narrows at the mouth of Loch Eil...
...the summit of Ben Nevis was still lost in the clouds.
In the narrows, the west going flood starts at -0435 HW Oban (+0220 HW Dover) and the east going ebb starts at +0130 HW Oban (-0400 HW Dover). The spring rate in both directions is 5 knots. We were in the narrows an hour before the end of the ebb and were surprised to be drifting at 3.2 knots.
This boat had found a sheltered spot to hole up for the winter.
We stopped for a quick break in the middle of the narrows. With the trees coming right down to the shore, above the flowing water, we both thought the scene was reminiscent of a large river like the Tay. Well, apart from the sea weed that is!
On the water again, for the first time there was some sign of the cloud on the Ben lifting. Maybe we would get photographs of Ben Nevis after all.
We now left the shelter of the narrows and entered the broad sweep of the head of Loch Linnhe. First signs of industry at Corpach and Fort William appeared. We were about to return to civilisation!
