Milport is a small resort town connected to the mainland by a ferry into Largs. The harbor is well protected except to the southwest. After a test sail the next day with a hot lunch aboard, we departed the following day for a 25 mile run to Tarbert. The morning started wet and foggy but cleared as the day progressed. We arrived and picked up a mooring in the harbor and after a stretch on shore, we returned for one of the captain's excellently prepared meals.
Tarbert is a beatiful and well protected harbor. The town maintains moorings for transient boats as well as a floating dock where rafting is encouraged. There are great places to eat or have a pint. In the morning prior to depating we filled the fresh water tanks using jerry cans and purchased fresh produce. Late morning we were under way up Loch Fyne to Lochgair for a night anchorage.
Lochgair is a large oval harbor with good protection and a mud bottom. The entrance is marked with an old tower (shown in the distance in the photograph). After we anchored we went ashore to explore the village at the base of the harbor and have a pint. Unfortunately the local hotel was closed and we had to settle for drinks aboard. After dinner we explored an old cemetery and finished the evening by piping sunset The following morning we got underway early for the run down Loch Fyne and across to Lochranza on Arran.
Late afternoon we arrived in Lochranza and picked up a mooring. The town is home of the Arran Distillary and we quickly went ashore for the last tour of the day and a sample of the local scotch. The tour was informative and the scotch great! For the tour, we landed the dingy at the foot of Castle Lochranza which at the time was being restored After a quiet evening we were off for a scenic cruise to Cambeltown. We had NW winds 8-12 knots and had a great sail. We were joined several times by porpoise and seals.