My Summer of 2023

Chapter 7, Gometra, an island, off an island, off an island

What does that mean?

Gometra is a small island, off the island of Ulva, which is off the main island of Mull, so, an island off an island off an island.

This is where we headed next and anchored in a protected bay off Gometra Island. The bay is known as “Hurricane Hole”, hopefully meaning it was a safe harbor away from any storms blowing in the ocean.

All around us, cloaked in blooming purple heather set amidst the verdant green grasses, the high protective hills presented a beautiful sight. Sheep also roamed about freely on the island, some of them peering down on us from their high vantage points up on the hillside. While they checked us out, we, in turn, checked them out.

Once again, we readied the dinghy, lowering it into the water and slowly made our way to shore. What a beautiful island awaited our exploration! As noted, the hills, covered in green grass and blooming heather were stunning to see. Coupled with sheep grazing, old stone walls, blue skies streaked with white clouds and set against broad ocean vistas, this was to be a stunning afternoon trek.

There is a small population living on Gometra Island besides the substantial number of sheep.

Notably there is a large white manor house, likely the home of a former landowner and a few smaller homes nearby. The smaller houses, I believe may be rentals for visitors to the island. The only vehicles that I noticed were ATVs, and possibly a tractor.

Two track paths took us up and over hills, through the grass fields and along stone walls. Rounding bends in the road, we were frequently rewarded with spectacular views out into the blue ocean. And all around us the hills covered in purple heather were offset against the blue sky and high white clouds. Sheep occasionally stood in the roadway, observing our approach before hastily running away.

Like walking along a remote country road, lined with fencing and stone walls and past lonely stone buildings this was the type of idyllic hike that helps heal my soul and brightens my days.

Further along we came upon a few old stone homes, one of which was occupied by a young English family enjoying a vacation amidst all the beauty that surrounded them. Apparently, these cottages are some of the ones that can be rented but can only be accessed by hiking in from a dock miles away.

With the afternoon sun lowering in the western sky, our hike backtracked along the same route, sheep cautiously avoiding us, bleating as they scampered away and we made our way back to the dinghy and a short jaunt to the boat. I volunteered to steer the little rubber raft, but found it takes a bit of finesse to keep a straight course. My piloting the little boat was more like that of a drunken sailor, zig sagging across the bay back to the boat. But then, suddenly, the little electric motor quit running leaving us dead in the water. Would we need to swim to the boat, so close, yet so far? No need for panic, we were not up the creek without a paddle, we had two paddles and simply changed the power source from mechanical to human muscle. In no time, we were back to the “Lady Linzy” and safely aboard.

Being in that protected little bay, it was calm throughout the night. Our hike had taken us over 5 miles and a good night’s rest restored me for the next day at sea.

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