Misty Island Hop

We left Stronsay with a good breeze to sail and followed the local ferry out down the channel retracing our steps from the previous passage before turning across the main tidal flow, the Westray & Stronsay Firths; direction Rousay and Trumland Pier.

Our passage plan for the strong cross currents was spot on and we had a smooth sail all the way spoilt only by the low cloud and drizzle which hid from us another section of beautiful coastline. The wind began to pick up upon our arrival and a place on the pier we declined in favour of a mooring buoy; there we could sit it out until the wind backed to a more favourable direction to prevent getting bashed onto the pier pilings.

The mooring buoy was a wise though not particularly popular choice, Rousay has been seen only briefly through the mist and rain and the prospect of staying another day will be denied by the strong winds forecast. We shall have to seek cover and probably head for the security of Kirkwall again though even there there is little protection from the north.