Loch Moidart to Tobermory

We were all up early for our final leg back to port and after breakfast, set off through the tricky narrows of Loch Moidart before turning south for home.

After the excitement of the last few days, the passage south was comparatively quiet, until, that was, there was a shout of sighting from the mast and for the final time we were 'with whales.' This time, in the company of a Risso's Dolphin (Cue much excitement and cartwheels around the deck by Anja).

Once back on transect, there were a few further porpoise sightings, before turning south east into the Sound of Mull where we spent a while "with creels' before finally winding our way into the pontoons at Tobermory where we set upon the final clean of the boat that has been our home for the last ten days.

After gathering all our gear and a quick freshen up,the crew and volunteers gathered for a swift one at the Mishnish before heading off to Cafe Fish for our last evening meal together and a celebration of an extremely successful survey trip.

We, the volunteers, cannot thank our skipper crew enough for the fantastic experience we have shared over the last 10 days. With total sighting of 58 grey and common seals, 141 harbour porpoises, 102 common dolphins, 10 minke whales, 1 risso's dolphin, 17 basking sharks and 3 unidentified cetaceans.

So to Tim, many thanks for being a first class skipper, to Anja and Kerry, thanks for keeping us all straight on the science and being excellent and informative guides to cetacean identification and behavior and to Tom, the architect of many great meals and epic second breakfasts, thanks for being a superb first mate and finally to you all, a great big thank you for making this a fabulous, fun and truly educational trip.

Please check out my last 10 days of sailing :)