We arrived at Salen Pier House late on Saturday afternoon. Everyone loved the accommodation. It had everything that one could have wanted, a huge lounge overlooking the sound of Mull, a fully fitted kitchen with a dishwasher, microwave and a huge stove. 4 bathrooms, 2 of which were en-suite, conservatory, otters and best of all for the divers our very own pier.
This was the third time that I had chosen to dive with Malcolm and Dave from Lochaline Boat Charters. The reasons: the boat is well laid out with plenty of room to kit up; an on board compressor, loo, galley kitchen, warm cabin and the all-important dive lift meant that the diving was safe and enjoyable. Malcolm and Dave’s extensive knowledge meant perfect slack and dive briefings.
Day one was a 7.30am start on account of the tide. We did our check out dive on Calve Island near Tobermory and then headed out to the Isle of Muck to dive on Windmill Wall.
Day 2 was a skipper and divers dream—glassy seas, sun, spectacular scenery including a sea eagle and porpoise. We steamed out to Coll to dive The Tapti and then back into the Sound to dive Aulison Wall. Tim found Gas Mantle sea squirts.
Day 3 . The classic wreck of The Hispania did not disappoint—a riot of colour, plastered with life perfect slack, good vis— and so onto the Shuna which was murky silty and yet also plastered with life.
Day 4 the Rondo with its swim throughs, good viz and then the Thesis. A classic wreck day.—finished off with a visit to the sea eagles nest.
Day 5 Windy and a fair swell, so our trip to Loch Sunnart and the Riska pinnacle changed to Aulison Wall and a scallop dive—– lots of scallops. The day finished with a close up of a stranded saga cruise ship which had lost the use of both engines and yachts racing up the sound on the first leg of the classic 3 islands competition.
We shall be back—same house, same boat, same skippers.
