A strange tale .....

The MV Isle of Mull coming into Oban harbour, with the Gallanach Road and Pulpit Hill behind. One of the things I love about Oban is the proximity of the harbour, it is literally the hub of life. The houses you can see so close to the water can hear the tannoy announcements onboard - but oh what a view!

The Isle of Mull was launched in 1987. There is a strange but I believe true story about her beginnings. Due to British Steel's new way of working at the time - working at or near the upper tolerance allowed - the new vessel was heavier than expected - by 100 tons! You couldn't make this up.

Within months, she had to be taken out of service and lengthened by 5.4m, an alteration which can readily be seen on the stairs from the car deck. As a result, her car capacity went up, she handled better at sea and her speed was increased.

She sails between Oban and Craignure on Mull several times a day, a round trip of 2 hours allowing only10-15 minutes loading and unloading at each end, a remarkable turn around. It is one of my favourite ferry routes.

For those who like the nitty gritty, she was built in Glasgow, length 90.3m, beam 15.8m, capacity 70 vehicles and 961 passengers, speed 15 knots.

Maximum effect seen in large.


Mull Weather

It rained and rained and rained and rained,
The average was well maintained;
And when our fields were simply bogs,
It started raining cats and dogs.
After a drought of half an hour,
There came a most refreshing shower;
And then the queerest thing of all,
A gentle rain began to fall.

Next day 'twas pretty fairly dry,
Save for a deluge from the sky.
This wetted people to the skin,
But after that the rain set in.
We wondered what's the next we'd get,
As sure as fate we got more wet.
But soon we'll have a change again,
And we shall have -
A drop of rain.


I can't credit the writer of this poem, it was published in the Oban Times a while ago and I don't have the writer's name.