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A nice humming sound...
One of the highlights of the past weeks has been the starting of the engine after its rebuild. It was an exciting event, after all it was the first time in a long while that the engine would be running, but everything went smoothly. No black smoke or explosion, but grey smoke coming out of the funnel. No loud noise, but a nice humming sound was produced.
We are preparing our passenger cabins, ready for the furniture that will arrive from Germany. The interior of the ship will be colourful and bright. Our guests will feel at home and enjoy the casual elegance Fyne Spirit will offer.
The galley is getting its final shape as well, much to the delight of our chef, who meanwhile arrived in Scotland, to prepare the menus and test the dishes we will be serving our passengers.
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Up to 75 years ago the sea meant connection and contact within the Hebridean Islands and the mainland of Scotland. That changed with the appearance of the motor car, expensive ferries began operating. For more than 2 thousand years boats were sailed and rowed with the tides and the winds. M\V FYNE SPIRIT follows the old water ways. A look at the West Scotland map makes you aware of the abundance of isles, bays, peninsulas, and long sea lochs!
Before the appearance of the Vikings, around 800 AD, coracles and curraghs, wicker-work, covered by hide, were used for transport on water. The boats were light and seaworthy. Already 600 AD sailed St. Brendan, with 6 monks on board, from the Hebrideans across the North Atlantic to Canada.
The type of boat used later changed with the Vikings. The Island Galley, or Birling, an improved copy of the Viking boat, was used for transport from 1100 AD well into 18th century AD. Those boats had one square sail and could be rowed by up to 20 pairs of men, the ideal thing for the West Scotland waters. For the warrior aristocracy of the west a must to exercise political power. The Birlings transported all kinds of cargo, cattle, horse, troops, and served as war ships. Strong tidal currents and changing winds, as well as lack of sheltered roads to anchor, made it impossible for big sailing vessels to navigate the West Scotland waters. The English sailing fleet ruled the world oceans, except the West of Scotland.
The Highland Galleys had a length of up to 26m, beam 5m, height of mast 14m, the yard for the square sail had a length of 13m. The sail itself was of greater value than the whole wooden structure of the boat. Flax, wool, horse hairs, tallow, liver oil, tar, and ochre were used. Ropes for sheets, stays, and shrouds were made out of horse hair and seal skin.
The great Somerled, ancestor of the Clan chiefs of the MacDonalds, the Lords of the Isles, sailed in 1164 AD with 160 Birlings, Galleys, from the Inner Hebridies to the River Clyde.
M\V FYNE SPIRIT will follow the mystical Highland Galleys on their sea routes.
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Clyde & Bute Classics : Inveraray – Campbeltown – Portpatrick – Isle of Arran – Great Cumbrae – Isle of Bute – Arrochar – Tighnabruaich – Inveraray |
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From the Isle of Arran the Clyde & Bute cruise continues to Great Cumbrae, where we will arrive in the evening and stay overnight. Great Cumbrae is only four miles long and a couple of miles wide and is best explored on foot or by bike. Millport beach is a popular place for windsurfing.
Millport is the only settlement of any size and home to the Cathedral of the Isles, Europe´s smallest cathedral. Approximately a mile east of town is the Marine Life Museum, which has an excellent aquarium. The 14-mile main road of Great Cumbrae runs right around the edge of the island. There is also a narrow Inner Circle. Great for cycling.
During the morning Fyne Spirit will relocate to Rothesay, the Isle of Bute. Our guests will be able to enjoy the beautiful panorama from the comfort of the lounge or while enjoying the fresh air on the outside deck. Those interested will be very welcome on the bridge and learn about navigation.
The Isle of Bute is a small island of fifteen miles long and five miles wide, and a popular holiday destination. Rothesay is usually the most crowded, while the west coast is for those who enjoy peace and quiet. The island is popular with walkers and cyclists.
Rothesay, a tasteful Victorian seaside resort, is the only town on the Isle of Bute. Its elegant promenade is lined with palm trees. Rothesay castle is worth visiting, as well as the Bute Museum, which features interesting displays about the island´s history, wildlife and archaeology. Mount Stuart, a unique Victorian Gothic house set in 300 acres of woodland gardens, is located three miles south of Rothesay, close to the little village of Kerracroy. Other sites to visit are Kilchattan Bay with its pink sand, the 12th century ruin of St. Blane´s Chapel and Scalpsie Bay for seal spotting.
Fyne Spirit will leave the Isle of Bute after dinner and sail into the night to her next destination... |
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to be continued... ! |
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