The forecast for 14th August was bright at first with cloud and rain later. It was perhaps not the most promising day for a sail on Waverley. Nevertheless over 400 were on board for the Wednesday trip through the Kyles of Bute to Tarbert. Waverley's cruise that day started at Ayr but your correspondant joined her at Rothesay by which time the sun had been lost.
It still stayed bright through the Kyles of Bute where many were on deck for the narrow passage through the buoys
The regulars on board trying to see the Dolphin at the Ardlamont Point Bouy which those of us on the starboard side missed he /she appeared on the port side away from the buoy
Those who visited Tarbert experienced some light rain but were lucky to be on board when the ship ran into a rain squall after leaving Tarbert which cleared the decks. By Ardlamont Point the rain had lifted and it was time for dolphin spotting. This time he / she swam by the bows on the Port side, the same side as the buoy and presented a fine sight.
With the high tide, after leaving Tighnabruaich the regulars were spectualting whether the ship would take the Dog Leg channel through the Kyles of Butes and so she did.
Through the dog leg channel in weather best described as atmospheric
Leaving the ship at Rothesay was a good opportunity for photographs even though by then it was quite dull.
After a great fish supper from the Squat Lobster by the pier it was time for 1900 ferry to Wemyss Bay, the last of the day back to the mainland.
So all in all a good day's sail showing that a great sail on the ship doesn't need bright sunshine
David Shirres
