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On the 6th day of the cruise, Ayla left the anchorage at Canna and headed across "The Minch" to an anchorage north of Fuiay Island titled Sgeirislum as described in the Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions and Anchorages for the Outer Hebrides. The crossing went well and the somewhat tricky entrance to the anchorage wAs accomplished without problems.

The cruise vessel Kea arrived later and evening cocktails were shared aboard Ayla.

Saturday morning, Ayla departed the Sgeirislum anchorage by the same route that was used for entry after considering the direct route of the Westward passage. . The route was around Fuiay Island and entering North bay where water was obtained at the North Bay dock. Upon departing North Bay the route was taken to the East to clear the Red Rocks and then heading south to make entry to Castle Bay.

Entry was made into Castle Bay via the Commerciao channel. Intent was to survey the bay over for return on Sunday following the Vatersay Barbecue event.

After a short visit, Ayla was directed back out the eastern entry but turning south after passing Unessan through Fisherman's passage and then westerly to Vatersay Bay. Timing was good as a good anchoring spot was available even though quite a number of boats had already arrived.

After anchoring, Tad and Joyce took off for a view hike to the local ruined Manor house and the memorial to the 1858 wreck of the emmigrant ship, "Annie Jane", where over 400 people died. At the same time, Alan and Bill headed to a nearby house and cottage which were offering showers at a rather steep price. However the fees were being passed on as donations to a local relief society.

During the evening the Ayla crew joined the crew of Moonsong for an enjoyable cocktail sessionn.

Sunday brought on the beach barbecue on the beautiful Vatersay Bay sand beach. The Clyde Cruising Club put the barbecue together and manned the serving. It was a great event,; thoroughly enjoyed by all the cruise participants and the local islanders who had all been invited to attend.

Following the barbecue, Ayla took off and headed back to Castle Bay; again through Fisherman Passage to the entry channel to Castle Bay. Luck was with them and a mooring was obtained for the night. They had a lovely dinner at the Castle Bay hotel over looking the harbor.

On Munday, Ayla headed back across the Minch Or Sea of the Hebrides to the east to pass between the islands of Coll and Tiree. The passasge went well and again the wind was was favorable for the passage. .

After passing by Gunna island the route was northerly off the east coast of Coll to Breachacha Bay.

The stop at Breachacha proved to be extremely interesting. The Ayla crew visited two castles; one of Medieval time and the other from the 17b0 era were on shore. While visiting the newer of the two castles, the new owner of the castle invited the Ayla crew inside for an extensive tour of the castle and related their objectives in restoring it to its former beauty and grandeur.

On Tuesday Ayla was directed easterly to pass between the upper and lower island groups of the Treshnish Islands.

The course was then to pass by Staffa Island and see Fingal's Cave. It was decided not to attempt a shore visit and Ayla continued to Ulva Sound at the easterly end of the channel between Ulva Island and Mull Island.

Ulva Sound proved to be a very interesting site. After anchoring, the Ayla crew went ashore to explore.

Alan and Bill soon visited Sheila's Cottage which is closeby to the Boat House pub and cafe . The cottage is now a museum with a placard history of Ulva Island and the vicinity in one room which formerly housed the family livestock. At the other end is a room with a recreation of the living area of the cottage in Sheila's time. It is impressive to see the meager furnishings shich Sheila had to furnish her home in her later years of life in the mid 1900's. It contains a mannequin of Sheila sitting in her chair by the fire.

The island of Ulva is now pretty remote with only 16 people presently living on the island. At one time there were over 600 people living on Ulva and Geometra island before the potato famines and clearances reduced the population to less than 100 in the late 1800's.

Upon leaving Ulva Sound, Ayla headed south with a stop at Bunessan. Bunessan proved to be a busy little village with a good grocery and nice small hotel with an excellent restaurant . The village benefits from heavy tourist activity as it is a jumping off spot for cruises to Iona and other spots of interest.

While at Bunessan, the Ayla crew hired a taxi to get to the nearest highway filling station where they purchased fuel for the dinghy outboard motor. The taxi driver told them some of the historical back ground of the area. He was very well versed and it was learned that he had a college PHD degree and had chosen to move to the remote area near Bunessan to get away from metropolitan population

While enroute from Tinker's Hole to Spelve Bay, a stop was made by anchoring off Eileach an Naoimh island of the Garvellach island group. The island has ruins which are reputed to be the oldest Christian site in western Scotland since it pre-dates the Iona Abbey established by Columba. It was established by Irish monks in AD542. The ruins have been partially restored and are well labeled by signs. Included are ruins of two chapels and a grave believed to be that of Columba's mother, Eithene.