On a glorious mid-summer’s day it is one of the world’s most stunning coastlines, attracting sailors of all nationalities to its shores.
Fast forward to November though – when recreational boats have traditionally been lifted safely out of the water – and making the 80-mile sea journey around the isle of Mull is a whole new ball game.
However, a group of intrepid sailors, unfazed by the dangers that lie ahead, are set to embark on one of the most daring sea challenges in Scotland.
Negotiating high waves and hidden rocks in the dead of night, the fearless five aim to sail round-the-clock for a week, continuously circumnavigating the isle of Mull. David McHaffie, Coxswain of Tobermory Lifeboat, said the RNLI would be on standby 24/7 in case their help is needed during the epic journey, which begins on Friday.
Mr McHaffie said: “Mull, on the whole, is full of hidden rocks and reefs and down the west coast, past the Treshnish Isles, it wouldn’t be uncommon to see five-metre waves.
“Conditions in the west coast of Scotland in November can be challenging at the very least, the days are darker, so even just the visibility means it’s going to be challenging.”
The adventure is being led by skipper Joey Gough, 72, from Duror, who will be joined by three fellow West Highland sailors, plus a yachtsman friend who has flown in from Australia to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime sponsored challenge, which is raising cash for the BBC Children in Need appeal.
The adventurers will set off from Dunstaffnage, Oban, in Mr Gough’s Beneteau First 32s5 yacht, Tangle o’ the Isles, on Friday morning with the timing of their journey mirroring Children in Need’s main 400-mile Rickshaw Challenge.
Twig Olsen from Taynuilt, Colin Campbell from Acharacle and Christine McFarlane-Slack from Ballachulish will join the skipper, along with Robert Bradley, from Melbourne.
The five experienced sailors will take it in turns to do two-hour watches, as the yacht sails on through the night.
Mr Gough, a past Commodore of the Royal Highland Yacht Club, who has raced all over the world, said: “No-one sails on the west of Scotland in November for fun and especially not at night.
“It’s 80 miles round Mull, these are tricky waters to navigate and the weather will be extremely challenging.
“This is going to be a tough eight days and nights.
“It’s going to be hard work, but I have been thinking for some time that it was time I put something back.
“I do a certain amount for charity but nothing like this before.”
Having survived prostrate cancer in 2010, he underwent surgery in August to address the collateral damage caused by his earlier radiotherapy.
The former RAF pilot said: “I am the oldest on the crew, I am fit to be on board, but I am not really fit to do heavy work.”
While he may have to leave any heavy lifting to his crew mates, Mr Gough has done his homework on how to tackle the challenge ahead with safety in mind.
He said: “The important feature of the night sailing is, at all times, to know what your safe route is if everything goes down, to know the direction of the safe water at any time.”
He believes that the most challenging parts of the passage may be the Torran Rocks and going through the shallow waters in the Sound of Iona, if the wind is strong from the south west.
However, Mr Gough said: “The boat is fully kitted out for offshore sailing and the sailing challenge will be carried out with safety uppermost in our minds.”
Crew member Mr Campbell, a Highland piper, will pipe the group up the Sound of Mull and Mrs McFarlane-Slack, is taking not one but two Pudsey bears on the journey, as good luck mascots.
She said: “The intention is to try to sail as many times round Mull as we can, day and night, during the time that the Rickshaw Challenge is under way.
“I don’t know anyone else who has ever done this, when most boats are out of the water and we are going in the water. It will be very cold and the weather is unpredictable, it’s going to be a serious challenge.”
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