We let the wind die down and set off from the very sheltered Arcaiseid Mhor anchorage on Rona. Whilst it is a picturesque Island and anchorage, it is very isolated with its single rough track that winds it way through the mini mountains. There was no mobile signal unless you climbed to near the top of one of the surrounding hills. There’s public Wi-Fi provided in the anchorage that each device is limited to two hours a day between the hours of about 10am and 6pm. It is a wonderful isolated location, but once you have walked to the ruined abandoned village and museum, and visited the cave church there’s not a lot more to do. We did see Red dear, a Sea Eagle and possibly a Short eared owl, plus’s plenty more wildlife.
We motored the approximately 10 miles SW in to the wind to the Port of Portree on Skye. The last mile or so a pod of dolphins were leaping around about 1/4 mile off the Starboard side, but didn’t find the boat interesting enough to come and investigate. We later learned from a Dutch couple that arrived shortly behind us, that they were greeted by a Minky Whale. We missed that!
The 10 mile trip was damp with mist and drizzle most of the way and temperatures that would be more appropriate in early Spring or late Autumn. The huge cliffs at the entrance to Portree harbour appeared out of the mist and appeared to be close but took what seemed like forever to reach. Little white dots on the steep grassy slopes turned out to be sheep on the near vertical hillside.
Once in the harbour the visitor moorings were difficult to identify, but we found two vacant moorings and tied up. Once sorted out we went ashore to explore the town.