Passing Alisa Craig yesterday on the way to stranraer, situated approximatley 15nm south on Holy Isle on Arran it is the remains of an old volcano in fact the lava plug of a now eroded volcano.
Alisa Craig used to be the main source of micro granite that made the worlds curling stone. Now it is the second biggest bird sanctury behind St Kilda. 

The weather being a bit wild around the Mull, a short cut that boats take is the Crinan Canal, this is a series of 14 locks and bridges. the pictures above are of Pagan waiting for the bridge to open so we could proceed  

Leaving Holy Isle with the auto pilot engaged on the tiller

Sailing

After setting off from Loch Linne above last Monday we had a good days sail to Loch Craignish  across from Jura and Doris Mor.
The two pictures below are just before sunset in the lagoon at Loch Craignish and as the sun sets directly below, this is what its all about stunning views in some stunning locations.

A stunning sunset

Under full sail day two

Chilling

Chilling out after a long sail today.
Glass of cider feet up watching the world and the rat race go by.
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Stranraer

Just moored in Stranraer after crossing from Lamblash on Arran.
Break in the weather see what tomorrow holds
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Taking shelter

We have been moored behind Holy Isle on Arran since midnight Wednesday. Gales still persisting hopefully will be able to be underway tomorrow. Patience is a vitue
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Arrival at Linne Marine

Weather overcast rain all night. Same for the days sail south
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Start of journey

Just sat at settle station waiting for train to start the journey up to oban to collect the boat.
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A week today I shall be setting off to Oban to crew my friends yacht and sail it back down to Lancaster Glasson dock. just hoping for a nice indian summer. The plan is to sail down the west coast of Scotland then head over to Ratlin Island on the tip of Northern Island then over to the Isle of Man and stay in Ramsey, then sail across to Glasson docks south of Lancaster we have about ten days to do some exploring weather dependant.
So today I decided to get some in caving, heavy rain in the Yorkshire Dales last night so plenty of run off, decided to do a cave in kingsdale called Bull Pot a bit wet in places but ok.
just some pics of above and below ground   

Jst sat by the cave entrance

sorting some kit out

Looking south down Kings Dale from the cave entrance

looking at the entrance, thousands of feet pass over the hill side unknowing what lies beneath 

Small stream dropping ino the cave