The south going ebb was still running as we set off across the Sound of Islay towards Jura.
Not long after we had left Islay the wind...
...began to increase from the north but...
we were able to close reach most of the way across. Away to the SE the mountains of Arran rose above low lying Gigha and the Kintyre peninsula.
By the time we crossed the Sound the tide had turned and was running north against the fresh wind.
Despite the strength of the wind we were soon making...
...10km/hr against it due to the power of the north going tide.
It was an exhilarating ride up the Sound as...
...testified by our big grins.
We were not the only ones up early to catch the tide. This yacht motored past us with her main still up but backwinding.
North of Port Askaig the Sound opens up and we could just spot the white Ruvaal lighthouse in the distance.
The Sound of Islay has several other white landmarks such as the Caol Isla distillery.
On Jura the quartzite of the Paps rose high above...
...a raised beach at the top of dark basalt cliffs.
As we passed the lighthouse at Carragh an t-Sruith (pillar of the current) we could see a team of Northern Lighthouse Board maintenance workers at the light. They had arrived by RIB from one of the NLB ships which was lying off the south end of the Sound.
The current was still speeding us north and the...
...Paps of Jura made a most magnificent sight as they heaved above the Sound. Perhaps they are the biggest pair of mimetolith we have ever seen? The origin of the name Jura is not clear and there is some disagreement. Some say it is from the Norse word dyrøy (beast) others say it is from the Norse dyr (deer) and others say it is from the Norse jur (udder). I leave it to the reader to decide. As far as I am concerned it's all a storm in a D cup.
On the Islay side, Ruvaal came ever closer as we passed...
...the Bunnahabhain Distillery.
They were still muir burning at the south end of Colonsay and the plume of smoke rose high into the air beyond Ruvall.
The MV Hebridean Isles ferry was en route from Port Askaig to Colonsay.
Back on Jura the caves in the cliffs were full of tasty rock doves as...
...the peregrine falcon perched on the clifftop would attest.
Next up came a couple of mimetoliths, the first was a basalt dyke that looked just like an older Queen Victoria wearing a headdress. The next was...
...this green pixie.
It was now time for a rest...
...preferably out the cool north wind...
....so we found the ideal spot with our backs to a sheltering dyke where we enjoyed second breakfast.
We then walked a short distance to Alt Bun an Eas (burn with the waterfall at its foot) and Ian and...
...I went for an extremely refreshing dip in its icy waters. Mind you the zing as we dried in the sun afterwards was worth it!
Mike had more sense and simply rinsed the salt off his dry suit!
