To the Outliers with MV Halton
Out of Uig Harbour on MV Halton seems likes ages ago. And here we are at the end of two weeks, having explored the
Shiants,Loch Roag, Gasker and Haskeir. Still flushed with the excitement of events last night, the final island
(Haskeir) where we were greetede by a large bsking shrk lazing around alongside us as we prepared for a calm and
gentle landing and an evening ringing Fulmars and Petrels and then an exhilarating and tempestuous exit as the sea
got up and the long drop to the dinghy over greasy rocks.
But as ever we were in the safe and capable hands of ‘captain’ Bob, Angus and Mary, whose skill in keeping us safe
while maximising the enjoyment and exhileration, we tend to take for granted. But riding that rib with Angus at the
helm - iron hand and watchful eye - as waves rise, fall, break, swirl and tear, must be experienced to be fully
appreciated. And then to be ferried to the protective lee of MV Halton.
We are the Sule Skerry Bird Ringing Group and friends. Twelve of us, mostly experienced bird ringers. Each year the
Halton is chartered for two to four weeks to visit the uninhabited outlying islands of the UK. Birds are surveyed
and ringed. None of the islands have established landings. Each island presents its own problems depending on the
state of the tide and the weather. All have rocky shores. So to get twelve people of various ages and genders onto
the islands presents its own special challenges. Sometimes we fail and have to run for shelter. But if its possible
the crew of the Halton have proved themselves willing to try and most times to achieve to get people and a ton of
equipment safely on shore.
We spent a week on the Shiants this year. Guest of Adam Nicholson, the owner, who was delighted to invite the group
onto the island to stay in the bothy and camp and live with the birds for a week. The boulder scree along the shore
of Garbh Eilean is teeming with sea birds and must be one of the seven wonders of the world. This is their place and
we were guests, a little intrusive but temporary visitors nonetheless.
If anyone is interested birds ringed 1,170
Fulmar 7
Storm Petrel 145
Shag 71
Great Skua 5
Great Black Backed 5
Common Gull 2
Puffin 355
Razorbill 591
Guillemot 160
Skylarks 1
Meadow Pipit 7
Rock Pipit 2
Wheatear 17
Of course that is only a fraction of the birds actually there!
Loch Roag - a beautiful spot, but the weather had cut up rough and we had to be content with walking around some of
the islands of the west loch. Pabay was the star.
Our visits to Gasker and Haskeir were shorter than intended but a burst of Mediterranean weather made the whole
thing a delight. Hard to believe that these islands are some of the most inhospitable places in the British Isles.
We look forward to next year.
Thank you MV Halton, our star of the sea. Thank you Bob, thank you Angus and thank you Mary
Margaret (Elphinstone) we really missed you loads. Lets hope we can share more Halton island adventures together in
future years.
