Whale of a time for island hoppers

Islands of western Scotland showed their friendly faces to the Law Society Yacht Club, which last week enjoyed near-continuous sunshine in its most ambitious cruise yet. Six members in a chartered Westerly 41 skippered by Gazette news editor Michael Cross took in half a dozen islands, including Staffa with its famed Fingal’s Cave (pictured) in a 200-mile week-long voyage. Highlights included sightings of seals, puffins and a whale – and dining on freshly harvested mussels. Lowlights? Obiter promised not to mention the cutlery pitched over the side with the washing up water. The club’s next event will be a day sailing Mermaid classic dayboats off the Isle of Wight in September. The Law Society Yacht Club welcomes sailors of all abilities: see www.lawsocyc.org.uk.