A smooth start
Gin, beer and good food allowed the crew of Loustic to rest well, despite the Lord of the Glens, a small cruise ship docked near our campground and whose generator turned all night. After the traditional breakfast and sausage sandwich ceremony, whose exotic charm begins to disappear with the rehearsal, comes the briefing time. The sheep seen the day before, not on the prairies but on the crest of the waves, have disappeared. The sun is very present and the light northeasterly wind, installed in the axis of the Loch Ness, augurs well for a pleasant weave. However, during the briefing, we feel that Martin, in charge of security, is expecting more wind. The Loch Ness can quickly change face, with important local weather effects.
Wake up in Fort Augustus
Departure from Fort Augustus
No Nessie, but wind on Loch Ness
The start is given in good conditions, on a calm lake. We quickly find our rival Craig, the Swallow Boat in plywood with which we play since the beginning of SailCaledonia. After a few battles of tacking, each one tries successively options on one bank or the other of the lake. We always have the impression that we are making the wrong choice, but the crosses show a stable gap. The wind gradually strengthens to reach force 4 to 5 Beaufort. The power of the Multimono, whose ballasts we filled, also longer than its competitor, allows us to widen the gap and cross the finish line in the lead. Were we going too fast? Nessie didn't show up on that first day on Loch Ness.
The Swallow Boat Craig, our playmate
Jack, fast at rowing, but also under sail!
An anchorage nestled in the heart of the trees
The end of May, when SailCaledonia is held, is one of the best times to visit Scotland. The high is generally particularly strong over northern Europe, guaranteeing sun and flowering landscapes. This was particularly true for this 2018 edition. But it also means that the wind, which dominates from the southwest throughout the year, is shifting to the northeast, making the usual anchorages unusable. So Martin decided to shelter us in the natural estuary of the Foyer River. A member of the organization, in dry suit, is supposed to show the entrance pass, a sandbank limiting access. With Loustic in the lead, he's not at his post yet. We aim close to the pass and are even to get into the water. The beauty and calm of the shelter, where we moor on the trees, deserves to wet our thighs! I take advantage of the gap with the other boats to stand at the entrance to the river and photograph the arrival of competing boats.
Loustic, first in the Foyer River
Arrival at River Foyer
Paddling into the River Foyer
Near the finish line (1)
Near the finish line (2)
Passing the bar... on foot!
Drascombe surfing on the bar
Elsie enters the River Foyer
The drascomb Maggie approaches the pass
Crews at rest
Everyone settles in. We pitch the tent in the nearby campsite, while the candidates to the Highlander Trophy, 100% autonomous, set up their boats for a night in the calm of the river. Fortunately, the midges, kind of biting flies, Scottish specialities are not very virulent this year. Arrived early thanks to the strong wind, everyone can take advantage of the afternoon to take a nap or enjoy a good beer on the deck of the Ros Crana barge while watching the sheep on the Loch Ness. A folk concert aboard an accompanying boat concludes this beautiful stage. Appointment is made to look for Nessie the next day!
The SailCaledonia flotilla, sheltered in the River Foyer
Highlander ready for the night!
