Day 4 Leg 3 – Benbecula to Skye

With the sun at our back and spectacular views of the Isle of Skye we flew the 20 mile sea crossing in perfect calm. Flying up the loch past the Classic Malts Cruise yachts who were dressed overall and on to our landing spot at the end of the loch next to the cemetery, which wrapped our day of total contrasts. We were then warmly welcomed by David and Christine, our hosts at Marsco B & B, who had gone to a lot of trouble finding us the landing site. Our evening was spent at Talisker joining up with the Classic Malts Cruise, from whom we received great hospitality as well as meeting up with fellow Club members, Bob and Elaine Hazel and Brian Verstage and Helen.

Day 4 Leg 2 – Stornaway to Benbecula

As earlier forecasted weather for the latter part of our journey was a little unstable we were planning to maybe stay in Stornoway. The air traffic controller informed us that as their International Music Festival was taking place we would not be able to find accommodation … on to Benbecula! The Isle of Lewis, South Harris, North Uist all gave us contrasting views with the moonscape around Benbecula.

Day 4 – Leg 1 – Shapinsay to Stornoway

After much investigation of weather sites, calls to Kirkwall and Stornaway we left Balfour heading for the mainland, fifteen minutes out we heavy squalls were seen to be moving through which prompted us to turn back to the hotel and enjoy a second breakfast. After an hour and a half spent visiting a seal colony and more weather calls we flew to Kirkwall to refuel and then had a fascinating trip along the top of Scotland past Thurso, Dounrey and on to Cape Wrath at the north west corner of the UK. On turning South the controller read us the Stornoway weather with an incredible 60kms of visability. A thirty mile crossing of the Minch to Stornoway took us into wall to wall sunshine.