We arrived in Scotland on August 22nd. After spending one brief month exploring areas within the Firth of Clyde, we departed on September 22nd. One month is nowhere near enough time, and we barely covered any ground. But we knew our time there would be brief, as we were already late in the season, so we packed in as much as possible.

We spent a large portion of our time in the town of Millport on Great Cumbrae Island. It offered great protection from the stronger winds, which were becoming commonplace. But our time there was not only utilitarian. Millport was also an adorable, scenic small town with much to offer.

There’s a saying among sailors I’ve heard before that boats and people rot in marinas and harbors. While being in a marina has certain perks, like nice, long, hot showers and easy access to laundry, boats are built to be sailed. We loved our time exploring Northern Ireland, but after five days tied to a dock, we were ready to move on. But, as is often the case in sailing, you can’t just do what you want when you want. Our plans are determined by weather and tide.