If you've made it as far as Skye, it's a must to go a little further and take a trip out amongst the Small Isles - Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna.
Isle of Rum from Camasunary
We took a trip in a rigid inflatable boat (rib) with
Aquaexplore (part of Bella Jane) out to the waters off Soay, Canna and Rum and thoroughly enjoyed it; there are also a couple of other comapanies offering different trips. All outer clothing was provided (although some a little large!) and you can wear your own if you have good waterproofs. Do wrap up warm though, whatever the weather.
First stop was the islets of An Coileach and A' Charc
(left) off the coast of Soay, where
Grey Seals and
Shags loaf and sunbathe. The seals can be quite inquisitive and we got good views as a couple bobbed around the boat.
Under the towering cliffs of Canna
After a 15 minute blast across the water, with a
Great Northern Diver,
Guillemot and
Arctic Skua lifting off from our path, we reached the northern coast of the Isle of Canna. The towering 400ft granite cliffs are home to thousands of nesting seabirds. Guillemots and
Razorbills sat packed on ledges whilst
Puffins took leaps of faith from their grassy burrows and whistled past our ears as they tried to flap hard enough to get airborne.
Fulmars and
Kittiwakes were also on the cliffs in smaller numbers. An eagle - Golden or Sea, I couldn't tell - soared high overhead.
After drifting along the cliffs watching the birds, we landed at the island's harbour for a quick explore and restroom stop. The
scenery was stunning and I hope we can return for a longer stay in future. We had only a quarter of an hour but reached the tiny St Columba's church
(see photo).
Just as we were boarding the rib to leave for Rum, the island doctor landed and let us know that a couple of
Basking Sharks had been seen in the area. With excitement, we headed out into Canna Sound and quartered the sea in hope of seeing one.
Just as we were on the verge of giving up, we spotted one of these fantastic fish dead ahead. It was feeding back and forth in the sound and, besides its unmistakeable dorsal fin, its nose could just be seen peeking through the waves, allowing us to estimate its length at about 20ft.
Sadly leaving the Basking Shark, we passed by the Isle of Rum where
Red Deer are regularly seen along the shore on our way back to Elgol to complete a memorable trip.
Elgol harbour from the water
