Mull I: Mallin Force 8 continuing

We had a pleasant drive on empty wet roads from Edinburgh via Crianlarich to Oban. Many Hebridean ferries were cancelled but the Oban to Craignure crossing remained open. There was a fair swell running in the Firth of Lorn as the south west gale was unimpeded, the bow of the Loch Frisa catching some deeper troughs with bangs, shudders and car alarms uselessly caterwauling. The tide race through the Lismore gap was fierce and the ship wallowed in the crosscutting seas until we gained the lee of the Mull hills.

We were out to Treshnish point in an hour or so through driving mizzle. At one point on the cross country single track to Dervaig we passed a cyclist fighting his way into the wind, his waterproofs inflated by the gale like a malevolent sea anchor sapping the mainforce from his legs. I hope he made his destination. It was not an afternoon to be wandering loose although mild for the time of year.

The cottage at C and S’s was immaculate as always and immensely cheery as dark bled into what little of day was left.