Eigg

The En Chathasatil anchorage has always struck me as rather unsatisfactory because it is shallow north of the pier and rolly south of the pier. This is a pity because it is an extremely interesting island to visit, the walk up the Sgurr in particular. On the old jetty there is a café selling the usual stuff, and a craft shop also selling the usual stuff, but both are friendly and helpful; on request you can get an evening meal. Eigg was once notorious for its awful lairds, and here we are talking 20th century not the old days, but there was a celebrated community buy out in 1997 and it is now a much more harmonious place, as you can see from its very good website. And on Eigg you will find the doctor for the Small isles, if you should need one.

Poll nam Partan is certainly sheltered but seems to me rather too shallow, certainly at springs. There is a bit of a volcanic sandy beach for the bucket and spade members of the crew, but the beach behind the new pier is better if a little overshadowed by the pier itself - an overlarge roll on roll off confection.

The Singing sands can be anchored off, but they didn’t sing for me when I walked on them - however the beach is great and the cliffs behind impressive with their amazing shapes best seen in a low morning or evening light, and the view of Rum is even more impressive.