22nd May 2025

Hi,

Headed north on May 21st and drove to Kyle of Lochalsh where I bunked overnight. Scotland was at its' most beautiful on a perfect sunny day for travelling out west. Loch Lomond, Rannoch Moor, Glencoe and all the other main locations along the A82 had their best clothes on.

The attraction on this particular trip was a sail around Raasay and the Crowlin Islands on the world famous Waverley paddle steamer, the last ocean going paddle steamer in the world. I'd sailed on the Waverley three times previously and all of these trips were down the River Clyde leaving from Glasgow. Those of you who read my blog on Rona last year will be familiar with my ancestry connections in both Raasay and Rona. The Waverley is usually up in this area but once a year and I had long been hearing about the experiences of others who undertook the sail around my ancestor's island. The experience is doubly special, not only for the location but to make the trip on an iconic boat. I think the price for the sail from Kyle around Raasay and back was about £40.

My great grand parents moved from Rona onto Raasay around 1870 and lived in Oskaig, a small settlement of six houses on the east side of the island. My grandmother Rachel was born in Raasay and I have included photos of some of these ancestors for your interest along with the photos of the day.

The Waverley sailed up to Kyle from Oban on Tuesday 21st May, arriving at 1830. I had already booked into my accommodation where I was informed that there would be a welcoming reception at the pier which included a pipe band. I duly attended the event and inevitably photos followed!

The sail from Kyle started at 1000 and called into Raasay and then picked up at Portree before going around the north end of Raasay with good views of Rona. The Crowlin Islands are not much of a sight but we passed them going down the east side of Raasay.

This blog is mainly an introduction to the photos but I'll just mention a few points. Most importantly, it was once again a perfect day, with the sun splitting the sky. You leave Kyle and sail under the Skye Bridge. You have the Cuillin Mountains of Skye on your left and Raasay comes up on your right. Friends Donald and Lorna were holidaying on Raasay and got on at the pier to join me. Another friend Catherine from Conon Bridge had boarded in Kyle so it was good to catch up.

Heading past Portree you always have Raasay on your right and the Trotternish Ridge in North east Skye on your left. We had views into Arnish at the north end of Raasay and then were able to see Big Harbour, Dry Harbour and An Teampull on Rona before cutting through to the east side of Raasay. From there you have the Torridon Mountains on your left and views of Rainy's Wall and Brochel Castle on Raasay to your right. Further down you have the Crowlin Islands and the Five Sisters of Kintail come back up on your left as you head for Kyle. Having boards at 1000 at Kyle I disembarked back in Kyle about 1530. This was a tremendous way in which to spend five to six hours on a good day.

A few credits are due. As the boat was totally mobbed whilst I was on, it wasn't really possible to get some decent photos of the Waverley interior and anyway we spent the entire time up on deck. After the boat dropped off at Kyle, Lorna took a number of excellent photos of the interior and I'm using them with her permission. I may also have pinched the odd photo from Lorna (mainly) but also possibly from Donald and can't quite pick out which was which, but the old phrase 'not all my own work' is readily admitted. Thanks also to Julia MacLeod Allan from Arnish for keeping this event before my mind over the years.

As regards annotation there are many who'll read this or look at the photos that have more expertise in identifying the views taken. I expect and indeed welcome corrections.

As always I hope you enjoy the photos and would exhort you to use the Waverley wherever it sails, but especially this trip!

All the best

Murdo