A very cold, windy and wintry day, although not as bad as forecast. Winds stayed at 40 to 50 mph, gusting to 70-80 mph throughout, sweeping frequent hail and snow showers along. The sun also put in regular if brief appearances. The folks at the tearoom in Eoropie, near the Butt of Lewis, posted some spectacular
pictures of waves, crashing to a height of 150 to 200 feet at the cape. Ferry services were severely disrupted across the western and northern isles, although our boat bravely made its two scheduled crossings, if a little behind schedule at times. She is the
Hebrides, one of the better sea boats on the Calmac network. Our regular tub, the
Isle of Lewis, is currently in drydock at Leith, but should be back with us next week.
On the subject of ferries, the Small Isles (south of Skye) may lose their dedicated ferry
Lochnevis, for it to be replaced by 30-passenger RIBs. That's all fine and dandy, but not in the wintertime (too rough) nor in summertime (too many people travelling). In other words, a complete non-starter.
