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Our original plan was to head for Croabh Haven, 3½ miles west of the Sound of Luing and some 35 miles from Ardminish. The tide was favourable / slack from HW Dover -1½hrs (0730) until HW Dover + 4½hrs (1500) and the forecast (other than perhaps the F8 later!) was good. There are rocks to be avoided at the North End of Ardminish Bay and about 4ca off the East coast of Gigha.
We slipped our mooring at 0810 and had a great sail with the spinnaker making frequent appearances. When we got up towards the top end of the Sound of Jura the wind had dropped and we were motoring. However it was only 1230 and we had made such good progress that we decided to press on to Dunstaffnage (Oban). We had plenty of time to get through the Sound of Luing tidal gate before the strong N-bound stream turned at around 1530. With storms forecast for the next couple of days it was an attractive option to make progress when the going was good. We motored past the Gulf of Corryvreckan at speeds over the ground of up to 10.2 knots. The wind freshened as we passed between the Pladda and Dubh Sgeir lighthouses under sail again. Keeping well East of Bono Rock and passing inside Insh Island we made excellent progress benefitting from the NE stream that pretty much held until we arrived at Dunstaffnage at 1620.
Dunstaffnage is a friendly marina with all the usual facilities and a fine restaurant / pub in the Wide Mouthed Frog, although at £23 per night is fairly pricy. It's well located for a bus or taxi to Oban or to the Sea Life Sanctuary some 7 miles north.