Loch ness at its best...

Rockter · #1 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008

I had to stop at Urqhart Castle, and turn for the NW corner of Urqhart Bay, as the rest of the crew had to go home the next day. I would have kept sailing and sailing in this, right to Fort Agustus (25 miles) if I could.
Rarely has the old ship had conditions so much in her favour as this day...

Image of downwind on Loch Ness, July 2008 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Image of downwind at Urqhart Castle, Loch Ness, July 2008 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

Image of New helmsman, old crew, Loch Ness, July 2008 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

newcrewLochnessJuly2008.jpg - Image - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

The ship was under mainsail alone, and dead downwind, typically at 6 kt, and with very little roll as the mainsail alone tends to "crab" the keel and mitigate the rolling.

It does not get much better than this.

Next day we motored a fair bit back, then reached back and forth across the NE head of the loch.
The calm surface belies the enormous depth of this famous fresh water loch... close to 750 ft at the castle.

A monster lurks in the depths, but photo-shy this day, and others.

Rockter

teshannon · #2 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008

Very nice pictures. Looks like the wind was kicking up a bit.

RickQuann · #3 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008

You live in a beautiful country Rockter .. nice pics

sailingdog · #4 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008

Very nice...say hi! to Nessie for us.

camaraderie · #5 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008

Good stuff Rock...Scotland is definitely on my "to do" list!

Rockter · #6 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008

Visit some time and I'll give you the helm and a beer or two, or three.
You can say you saw Loch Ness from Loch Ness.
In Autumn, as the first frosts fall, it is a marvellous place, often misty and often you have the whole Loch to yourself.

It was a good day that one.
When we turned to drop the main, it felt like a gale and the old ship was pitching like a good 'un.
The new crew seemed to like the bowsprit, even when head to weather.

That old ship was the best money I ever spent. A damn good ship for the big seas, now retired to the relative calm of freshwater. The canal company, British Waterways, run a solid show too.

djodenda · #7 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008

Thank you for the post and pictures.

Beautiful!

David

sailortjk1 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008

The loch looks like a fun place to sail.
I could do without the monster though.
Thanks for the photos.