Island Lass

Some more Turus Mara Pics from over the years

2011-11-24T17:55:00.001Z

Iain's Pictures

I have sneaked into Turus Mara Headquarters with a memory stick and nicked a few of the patriarch's pictures while he was otherwise engaged. There are loads more where these came from, but someone will have to distract him again long enough for further surreptitious espionage!

Guillemots

Puffin and Thrift

Bottlenose Dolphins

Minke Whale

Common Dolphins

Sunfish

Sea Eagle

Shellduck

Common Dolphin under water

Razorbills

Orca

Shellduck again

Would never knowingly use anothers images without their say so really!

The 2011 Season

2011-11-23T10:46:00.000Z

Lets Face it 2011 has not been an ideal season for boat based tourism in Scotland. Turus Mara boats rarely ventured to sea in September or October; the end of May and early June, consistently one of the busiest times for us, was also a bit of a washout and many trees on west Mull may never recover from the storm that occurred in May. Some lost their leaves or turned gold and black as though it was autumn which was very odd to see - based on observation over the last quarter of a century or so I would bet money on a settled spell during that period.

Despite this there were also many many bonny days.

Sunny day with swell at Fingal's Cave, Staffa

Yacht and dinghy in the Carnaburg Channel, Treshnish Isles

Bluebells on Lunga, Treshnish Isles

Island Lass at the pier, Iona

Most of the birdlife here had a reasonable breeding season this year. You can find data and links on the Hebridean Trust Treshnish Isles web page http://www.hebrideantrust.org/treshnish.htm including the most recent Treshnish Isles Auk Ringing Group (TIARG) survey (2010). I expect 2011 will be up shortly.

If you look closely you can see guillemot chicks amongst the adults

More guillemots

An obligatory puffin picture

We saw bottlenose dolphins regularly, porpoises often and common dolphins a few times.

Bottlenose dolphins at Staffa

Iolaire with bottlenose dolphins

Basking sharks sidestepped the area for the most part and minke whales were inconsistent visitors. Orca were seen in the area a number of times but we unfortunately missed them.

Both boats are now high and dry for winter with Island Lass at the head of the Ugag Loch near Croig and Hoy Lass as ever at Balvicar Boatyard.

Before we know it the 2012 season will be upon us. See some of you then!

Minke Whale

2011-06-19T13:08:00.001+01:00

Today we saw this season's first Minke whale! It was a great interaction with the whale coming right up to the boat for a good nosey!
Meanwhile there are also bottlenose dolphins in the area so we are ever hopeful of finding them later on - it is such a beautiful day out here there should be no problem spotting any sea mammals!
And of course the puffins are now heading into their burrows with sand eels so there will now be little pufflings in there!
Common seal pups have been arriving in the Ferry Islands close to Ulva Ferry.
I promise to attend to this neglected blog on a more regular basis.

Radio group on Lunga.

2011-05-02T08:55:00.000+01:00

GB5TI on the pontoon at Lunga

Members of the GMDX Group visited Lunga on a short Ham Radio activation over the last few days. They had some great weather for their stay, although Friday night into saturday was "interesting" according to Jim Martin the group leader. I suspect this is an understatement as there was a near gale from the South East at this time - rather them than me in a tent in that. Still, they were still smiling yesterday when I picked them and their kit up yesterday!
Their call sign was GB5TI - the TI part I am reliably informed stands for Treshnish Isles! Their goal is making contact with other ham radio stations across the world. With a tally of 4900 for the visit I assume they left happy!

Treshnish Isles

2011-04-26T14:07:00.001+01:00

Today is my first trip out to the Treshnish Isles this year and what an absolutely stunning day it is for it! The sun is splitting the sky and the new green growth on the islands is truly zingy! Likewise the bright yellow lichens above the black of a hundred rocks and islets.
The puffins seem well established on the cliff edge above the mooring. I will hear in due course from my adventuring crewman whether other birds are beginning to nest on the ledges on and around the Harp Rock. I can certainly see fulmars coming and going.
Next we head across to Staffa to see if we can get landed - the swell still looks quite sizeable, but I suspect it is not as huge at the Clamshell Landing as yesterday.
Also, eyes peeled on the way across as one of the local fishermen spotted a minke whale earlier today!
Watch this space for updates.

C

Mull and Iona Wildlife Week 2011 - 7th - 13th May

2011-04-25T07:21:00.000+01:00

Season is once again well under way. Seems as though we never stopped.

Puffins appear established on Lunga and are prevalent around Staffa. They are only sporadically to be seen on Staffa's cliff ledges so far however. I would expect this to change over the next few days. Most other species should begin nesting in the next few weeks.

We have spotted the odd porpoise but so far other cetaceans are yet to appear.

Plenty seals as ever abound.

Forecast is excellent for the next few days.

Finally, for a weeklong bonanza of wildlife related fun and japes why not visit for the annual Mull and Iona Wildlife Week which runs from the 7th to the 13th of May. Turus Mara and Am Birlinn are once again joining forces to run Supper with the Puffins on the evening of Monday May 9th. It is nearly fully booked, so those wishing to join us should book sooner rather than later! Details can be found on the Am Birlinn Facebook Page

More info about other Wildlife Week events on Mull can be found here

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A few more summer 2010 Pictures.

2011-01-31T08:45:00.000Z

Looking through some of photos of last summer out around the islands and it seemed appropriate to share a few - particularly on this wild, wet January morning here on Mull. A reminder that summer is only a few months away - just around the corner in fact!

This is Lunga, the largest of the Treshnish Isles and the main centre of bird breeding. The photo is taken from Sgeir a Chaisteal.

as is this one.

Two fulmars on Sgeir a Chaisteal.

A couple of basking sharks with Hoy Lass in the distance.

A handsome shag on Lunga.

Here he is again.

This is a common dolphin near Staffa.

These bottlenose dolphins were near Iona.

Thrift.

North West Mull Community Woodland Company Ltd (a shorter name might have sufficed)

2011-01-16T17:47:00.001Z

I also seem to be Chairman of North West Mull Community Woodland Company (NWMCWC).

A few years ago the Forestry Commission put some woodland in the North West of Mull up for sale. We reckoned it would be for the best if this woodland was purchased for access and use by the local community and through the mechanism of the National Forest Land Scheme, with main funding from The Lottery and Highlands and Islands Enterprise, we secured this excellent resource for the local community.

Future plans include the provision/ enabling of affordable housing, creation of forest crofts and improved access and amenity amongst other equally ambitious schemes. We already have a woodmiser portable sawmilling operation up and running, a fledgeling firewood business, christmas tree sales and forest schools use the woodland and have a shelter and safe fire area. Access has already been improved via the partially completed timber haul route.

2011 looks like being an incredibly exciting year for NWMCWC.

Our timber haul route should be completed by May which will allow us to harvest and market previously inaccessible timber thus allowing the woodlands to be managed effectively. This is the starting point for much of the rest of our plans.

We have a hydro scheme in the pipeline (booboom!) which, if early indications are correct, should provide us with "green" income.

Woodland Burials will similarly bring in some cash - folk are dying to get buried on our ground (booboom the second).

For more info about our exciting project please visit NWMCWC website

That is all for now.

An unusual encounter

2010-11-15T11:08:00.003Z

A crew called Danni and I were on the South side of the Island of Ulva, with a boatload of passengers on a trip to Staffa. The day was sunny and calm - which is of course the way it always is west of Mull.

Danni, as was her sun loving want, was sprawling across the foredeck, nominally searching for "sea beasts" as she called anything at sea that didn't fly. This term covered seals, dolphins, porpoises, whales, otters etc.

I had spotted the seal away ahead of us a few minutes before - owing to my superior sea beast spotting powers. Eventually however Danni did shout back to the wheelhouse that there was "something different" in the water over there. "What", I sarcastically replied, "that seal by a floating fishbox - big deal" (we see hundreds of seals most days).

However, as we got closer to the seal it seemed as though it was playing with the fish box. "Maybe an interesting experience for the passengers after all" I mused.

Closer again and I thought "hmmn, that's a weird looking seal". Danni was shouting from the foredeck - "its not a seal, its a turtle."

And it was - a six foot leatherback turtle. The "leatherback" was what I had assumed was a fishbox. We stayed with it for five minutes before it gave me a look of disdain (as if to say "seal indeed") and disappeared beneath the waves.

I had had a great lesson in humility - to this day I never dismiss another's sighting until I can be certain I've got it right.

A few recent pictures!

2010-10-19T23:35:00.001+01:00

Last few weeks have seen some cracking weather and some cetaceans in the area. One day in particular we had over 100 common dolphins very close to Lunga in Treshnish Isles. Here are a few pics!

Seals on Lunga

Mother and pup

Some other mothers

And some more!

This is a picture of the west side of Staffa. This is where "An Gunna" is.

In fact you can just make out the opening in this picture -

it is just above sea level to the right.

This is on the West side too.

And this. Port and Fhasgaidh.

This is a picture across Eorsa to Ben Mor.

And again.

This is also a picture up Loch na Keal, but facing further east.

Looking down from directly above Fingal's Cave

Above Fingals Cave and the Great Face.

And again.

Am Buachaille

's a rithist!

Hoy Lass with Ben Mor in the background.

Some of the 100 plus common dolphins we saw near Lunga a few days ago.

Some more

And some more

A smiling customer and common dolphins playing in the wake

And there were 2 minke whales on the same day!

More dolphins!

And one last one!

Basking Sharks, Minke's and Seals wrestling Octopus!

2010-08-16T10:58:00.001+01:00

Seal versus Octopus

(Photo Gareth Duguid)

I have been accused of partaking of illegal substances when I have told folk about the seal and octopus wrestling experience on one of our trips to Iona earlier this month. Well above is the proof!

There have been many many basking sharks about.

And recently some Minke whales

And it is hard to escape the photo jounalists!

Iona

2010-07-13T15:06:00.002+01:00

First time down to Iona for a few months (change of timetable this year). Had forgotten just how many folks visit down here on a daily basis. Amazing the island doesn't sink. Guess it must drive the Calmac staff on the Lochbuie to distraction!

Over the weekend when all the usual crews were off at T in the Park, car rallies etc I we had a great interaction with bottlenose dolphins at Staffa! They just played about the boat for a whole hour. Felt quite sorry for Ali and Gareth who missed it all.

Still, Gareth got to see Biffy Clyro and Ali got a quarter of a mile before his rally car broke down! Must be getting old, but I know where I would rather spend my weekend!

Tuesday 15th June

2010-06-15T07:25:00.001+01:00

7am and the sun is blazing down already - it promises to be an absolute cracker of a day for boating!

Looking out my kitchen window towards Ardnamurchan I can see that the swell appears to have decreased from yesterday which is a good thing, because, during spring tides in particular it can make landing at the Clamshell Cave on Staffa and indeed on the Boulder Beach at Lunga rather awkward.

Yesterday morning I put my Woodland Company Chairman's hard hat on and went with our Development Manager, to look at progress on our new timber transport road. What a difference a couple of big diggers, a 20 ton dumper, a dozer and some timber extraction machinery can make! It all makes our little Kubota feel decidedly small! Some pics in due course.

And, I hope, some pictures today from the seas to the west of Mull as I have a good feeling that sea beasts may abound!

Poor neglected Blog!

2010-06-14T17:37:00.002+01:00

Dear Blog I have neglected you of late for which laxness I can only apologise!

The season is well and truly under way.
Birdlife is in full magical flow on Lunga and the Harp Rock (not forgetting the Staffa puffins!). Have heard corncrake on Sgeir an Fheoir and the Carnaburgs.
Atlantic Grey seals were very prolific at the start of the season through the Treshnish Isles, did a bit of a disappearing act through May (though we always see a few a day) then seem to reappear again in growing numbers!
Cetacean sightings have been pretty patchy again so far this year. Bottlenose dolphins have been around at times and we had a really good sighting and interaction a couple of weeks ago in Loch Tuath. Haven't seen any whales yet though they have been seen in the area.

Today is already only a week before midsummer - where does the time go?!

If not entirely bored of me already you can follow me on twitter - @colin_mull. Have also set up @turus_mara where we will mainly post only Turus Mara related pics and comment - might even get the Boss to contribute though this might prove a mixed blessing!
Cheerio for noo!

April 2010

2010-04-26T12:05:00.002+01:00

It has been a good while since the last update.

Things are looking good out on the islands. Puffins seem well established on both Lunga and Staffa. A couple of days have seen more puffins ashore on Staffa than we have seen for up to ten years. This hopefully bodes well.
Shags are busy nest building and courting - as are kittiwakes and fulmars, both of which are now ashore on Harp Rock. We await with anticipation the establishment of guillemots and razorbills.
Next week orca?

What a Winter!

2010-03-05T18:06:00.003Z

What a winter it has been! This year we chose to keep the Island Lass at Croig near home in order to work on her without the hassle of winter ferry timetables and the long journey to Balvicar. Unfortunately November was one of the wettest recorded then December into January saw the coldest weather here for thirty years!

All this means the usual rush in February/ March to get things ready instead of a liesurely winter working a few hours here and there as I had naively expected. Still, we have a good team now with Kris, Emma Leigh and Karen scrubbing, sanding and splashing the paint.

Sure we'll be ready for easter - honest!

Am also very excited that Am Birlinn (http://www.ambirlinn.com/), our new restaurant in Penmore, Mull will be open for easter and is now FULLY LICENSED! Looking forward to more of Tom's great grub and carefully selected wines! Watch this space for a sample menu!

October 2009

2009-10-08T21:33:00.002+01:00

It has been quite a while. August and September were pretty windy, wet and uninspiring to be honest. Today ended up nice however, and I ended up being minibus driver and crew on Hoy Lass.
We had Staffa to our selves (Me, The Boss and 16 valued customers) and then about 50 minutes on Lunga to look at the beautiful wee seal pups.
I have been wandering around some of the archaeology and think there may be a case for a wee dig in the earth on the floor of a couple of the caves on Lunga. Watch this space!

August

2009-08-11T17:14:00.000+01:00

It may just be that by August we are all feeling a little jaded. However - they do appear a different type of visitor... And I quote the conversation:-

Valued customer - "what sort of a thing would have breached right out of the water four or five times?"

Island Lass Skipper - "could have been a Minke or maybe a basking shark. When did you see it?"

Valued customer- "oh about five minutes ago - I told all the people"

Island Lass Skipper - "didn't you think to tell me so we could go and have a look?"

Valued customer - "no, sorry"

Island Lass Skipper - " its better if you come and tell me, then we can look at stuff. For instance, the other boat had quite an experience with dolphins earlier - pity we missed them"

Valued Customer - " dolphins, oh we saw them, just after we left Iona - we told all your customers ..."

AAARGH.....

Basking Sharks

2009-07-10T15:47:00.000+01:00

What a nice day out here today and its all finally happening. All the birdlife is busy feeding babies. A Minke whale has been spotted down by the Dutchman's Cap. Bottlenose dolphins were hanging around the Geasgills yesterday... AND there were three big basking sharks hanging out off Fingal's Cave.

Roll on tomorrow!

End of June heatwave!

2009-06-30T15:38:00.000+01:00

The whole country has been basking of course. Its usually rubbish here if Wimbledon gets good weather. Not this year though. And I know where I'd rather be in the blistering heat. Not the city - that's for sure!

Well I am at Lunga waiting to fend off the stupidly moored yacht beside us. Its a wide enough ocean for us all without the need to moor cheek by jowl!

Or is it just the start of mid season grumps!!!

Early Sunday

2009-06-21T07:34:00.003+01:00

Murdo (now 10 weeks old) insists on my attention around 6am every morning. Once there's no hope for my getting back to sleep, he promptly returns to the land of nod - not entirely sure this is fair!

This morning looks calm, but slightly dreich. I expect we will be heading to look at the Sweet and Melodious (not malodious!) Cave - just for a wee change.

Mackerel for Tea Perhaps.

Finally Minke Whales!

2009-06-12T17:26:00.000+01:00

What a great week of weather! Bright sunshine most days. The northerly breeze has kept the temperatures a degree or two lower than we'd like at sea - left my bikini at home so far. Still, you can't have everything!
Today has been a great day though.
This morning Julie and I took Wee Murdo (2 month old next generation Turus Mara skipper) for a visit to Ulva. I think its fair to say the Boathouse Lassies are fans! And he's too young to appreciate langoustines yet so I got all mine!
Staffa was as ever sunny and calm!
Then on the way back in we had half an hour with the first minke whale of the season. We are on our way back to Ulva Ferry with an extremely chuffed bunch of visitors.
Still looking forward to first day off in ages tomorrow, but I wonder what sunday will bring?

June 4th

2009-06-04T17:32:00.001+01:00

Finally - mackerel! I think there is something in the first mackerel that NO other food can touch. Not sure why this is, but the phenomenon is proven by the fact that certain members of the family will sit down to at least SIX of 'em, and have NO other stuff for that particular meal.

It has been a great week of weather. Day after day of hot sunny calm weather. "Best Job in the World" - right enough!

The first basking sharks have been seen (not yet on Island Lass!). Jellyfish are everywhere. All is well.

Now, guess what's for tea!

Dolphins, Minkes and Basking Sharks!

2009-05-22T15:24:00.000+01:00

The title of this entry could be misconstrued! We had bottlenose earlier in the week but have not yet seen a whale nor a shark.

However, a Minke has been spotted in our area and I have also just been speaking with Iain Skipinnish from Tiree who informs me that they are beginning to see basking sharks out at Skerryvore and around Tiree! Shouldn't be too long then.

In the meantime I will need to make do with sitting once again in the sun at our Lunga pontoon, watching the puffins to the soundtrack of kittiwakes, eiders and yachties!

bottlenose Dolphins

2009-05-19T17:35:00.000+01:00

First dolphins of the year have just left us in Loch a Tuath! Great sighting with 12 - 15 in the pod. Quite a few little ones too. Lots of playing, bowriding and jumping. Lots of very happy customers!

Orca tomorrow?!

Lunga in the sun

2009-05-18T15:30:00.000+01:00

Early start - Ginger and the rest of the National Trust Strimmers to Inch Kenneth.

Then Staffa and Treshnish Isles. Its beautiful out here today - hardly a ripple and, though we've had a spot or two, I think we have the best of it. I can see rain over Ben More, yet as is so often the case, we are in sun.

Puffins galore along the cliff edge, and it looks as though the guillemots and razorbills are finally establishing on Harp Rock. The bluebells are quite a show along the East side.

Kittiwakes are bobbing and ducking by the boat and a grey seal just popped up her head.

Maybe some dolphins on the way in? Well, we can hope!

Supper with the Puffins

2009-05-12T13:22:00.007+01:00

What an utterly amazing evening!

After the days work of a normal Staffa trip the real fun began. Tom, Jeni, John and Adam appeared at Ulva Ferry with mountains of fresh local shellfish, veg, salad, crockery, wine, barbeque, tables etc etc.

We loaded up the Island Lass and to the strains of Croft No 5 the advance cheffing party headed off for Lunga.

By 5pm all the necessaries were unloaded, chefs whites were donned and prep was well under way.

Due to foolish forgetfulness of the skipper (forgot proverbial paddle for the wee kayak I had planned to use) I had to wait on Island Lass until the other boat arrived. This was just as well as it made me to deal with some maintenance issues.

However, the wait was WELL worth it!

Mr Turnbull had already been providing an oyster shucking service aboard Hoy Lass on the journey out so by the time folk arrived many had already had a taster of Mull shellfish.

On climbing the short path to the cliff top senses were assaulted by mixed aromas including Inverlussa Mussels, Ulva Ferry prawns and Croig Lobsters - all lovingly prepared by chefs Tom and Jeni. Adam provided a superb service as "sommelier" (almost certainly spelt incorrectly!)

Visitors spent their time intermittently communing with puffins and scoffing the fresh seafood on offer. Some made it as far as the Harp Rock while others seemed quite contented to lounge within easy reach of the source of supper.

Andrew Stevens, it was particularly noted, did not stray more than a few metres from seconds, thirds and fourths.

Replete, a very relaxed crowd left Lunga around 9pm the sunset cruise for home.

Wildlife Week 2009

2009-05-08T10:39:00.004+01:00

The last few days have seen a poor spell of weather so not much to report. The view from my kitchen window still shows the pounding Atlantic swell on Ardnamurchan shore affirming how wild it yet is at sea. Set to improve however.

Mull and Iona Wildlife Week begins tomorrow - http://www.wildisles.co.uk/wildlife/index.htm. This year sees the most ambitious range of events yet. If wildlife's your thing and you aren't here you should be considering why!

Turus Mara are running the legendary "Supper With The Puffins" on Monday 11th of May leaving Ulva Ferry at 5.30pm. The forecast looks wall to wall sunshine and Tom the chef will be providing a veritable feast of all the best seafood Mull has to offer. Mr Turnbull will be shucking oysters! Seafood fans should book on 08000 858786 or info@turusmara.com.

In the garden!

2009-04-30T20:18:00.002+01:00

The Island Lass and I had a break from each other yesterday.

Instead I spent a good part of the afternoon double digging our new garden. Turning completely virgin croft into vegetable garden is a fairly intensive business but confidence is high and there will be home grown carrot in the summer salad for sure.

This morning I am staring out at stair-rods.

Lets hope nobody is daft enough to fancy a visit to the puffins today!

Staffa 29th April

2009-04-29T22:00:00.000+01:00

SE breeze, hazy, cloud, bright, chilly.

Not exactly casts of thousands today!

Passengers got a great view of a sea eagle over Inch Kenneth and Gribun in Loch na Keal on the way out to Staffa.

The customers are now ashore, communing with puffins while Erika (crew) and I while away the hour scoffing coffee and watching gannets, fulmars and tysties.

Looks a bit like rain soon.

Tuesday 28th of April.

2009-04-28T12:22:00.000+01:00

Beautiful sunny day. Easterly breeze.

Mull has turned green over the last few weeks. Farmers have their work cut out with new lambs. Gardeners are busy. I heard the first cuckoo a few days ago.

No trip today so just fuel this morning, some routine maintenance then the bonus of lunch in the Boathouse Cafe on Ulva. I would highly recommend Ulva - it has much more to offer than fresh oysters and local langoustines but they make the visit worthwhile in themselves.

Better go and see what's on the specials board!

Background!

2009-04-26T18:42:00.000+01:00

I am not an Island Lass - Island Lass is a boat - a 46 foot passenger carrying boat, built along fishing vessel lines in 1967, five years before my own appearance in the world. She and I meander daily in the summer months on waters west of the Isle of Mull in Scotland.

Turus Mara is a family business, begun as Croig Cruises by my dad, Iain. In 1973 he was well ahead of his time understanding people would relish the opportunity to commune with puffins, long before ecotourism was even a whisper in these parts. Tourism didn't yet rule supreme on Mull.

I didn't exactly plan to be a skipper within the family business. I went to school, went to university (honours degree in History and Scottish Studies) travelled the globe and realised that maybe what I was looking for had always been under my nose. How many folk have the view from their office window that I have? How many have discovered leatherback turtle foraging for jellyfish or trashed the timetable to travel an hour with orca instead? I have and this job is a daily privelege that I try to never take for granted.

And I just became a dad for the first time - another (all be it sleep depriving) privelege.

So that's a ludicrously abreviated background but these pages are intended as commentary on the day to day experiences aboard Island Lass and sometimes further afield.