The VFR Club
Picture Galleries
No. 08-03
Screenshots and occasional real world photographs of Club Events and activities
01/06/08
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Western Scotland's Isles & Lochs
The Western Isles are a particularly scenic part of the British Isles. Members Richard Sinclair and peter Dodds prepared a series of seven seaplane bases scattered through the islands for us to explore. In addition, a series of clues were nailed to sheds at each base, for us to find, with a puzzle to solve at the end of the event.
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Pictures submitted by John Lygo
Approaching EGEC with Ailsa Craig off the port wing Passing the Isle of Arran Campbeltown harbour and we're off Turning onto initial heading, visibility not too good
Still a bit murky..... .....and then it cleared up nicely Not too far to go now Oooops...went a bit too far
After a long taxi we get there Loch Awe Over Kilmedford The Firth of Lorn
Turning over Eigg - Rum in background Found it! Hut, boat and Al Regina Hut, boat, Al and me
I've arrived and to prove it I'm here Al departs for Ullapool, rather steeply! And we're off to Ullapool Little Loch Broom and Loch broom
Even the FSX default scenery is good Flying down Loch Broom Ah there it is And here we are
keeping clear of the clouds Default FSX scenery is pretty good Turning to dodge between the clouds Loch Nevis
Early morning sun on the water Gotcha An overcast Glenforsa Shadows and reflections at Glenforsa
Turning over Lismore Island Leaving Scarba Just down there and follow the coast to the right Should be just round here
I didn't spot it for ages Port Ellen form a couple of miles out JStill looking....getting warm JFound it
No pipes, no drums, no mist, no Paul - Kyle of Lochalsh Loch Ryan Is that it Yep, target located
   
A quick wing waggle for the ground crew Final stop and it's raining    
Pictures submitted by Peter Dodds
The Anchorage at Islay Climbing north from Islay At 3500 ft, still below Minimum Safe Altitude crossing Islay Approaching Mull from the south
Crossing Mull, still at 3500ft, now below the top of the peaks Looking East across to Arisaig and the Moidart Range which includes Rois-Bheinn, 2900 feet The Anchorage at Glen Brittle - No tea, not even any sheep! Evening mists forming over Loch Sligachan (Skye)
Sun going down near Torridon Fionn Loch - not far now to Ullapool Crossing Little Loch Broom. Time to start descending Sunset over Little Loch Broom
  
Descending to Ullapool Another long water taxi to the anchorage at Ullapool Matt Scott and I enjoyed the company of a blonde, blue-eyed scientist who made us tea!   
Pictures submitted by Tony Driver
Turning to go over Loch Goll heading north to Inverary Over Loch Goll, looking for a way through to Inverary Parked at Inverary, with Pete Chapmanfor company Over Loch Morar approaching Mallaig
Over Loch Duich heading for Plockton Taxi in at Ullapool joining Pete Chapman Parked at Ullapool with Pete Chapman Coming over Loch Gairloch on the way to Skye
Over Loch Torridon Rona and Skye ahead Coming over Skye Starting descent into Loch Brittle at Skye Parked at Skye with Pete Chapman
Coming over North Coast VRP, Islay Descending to Port Ellen, Islay Descending into Campbeltown Harbour Descending to Stranraer, Loch Ryan
Pictures submitted by Al Regina
     
Picture      
Pictures submitted by John Crockatt
 
Enroute Solway GMap Campbeltown  
Pictures submitted by Tim Arnot
Leaving Carlisle at the start of the big adventure. Approaching Campbeltown Harbour for the first tome. Taxying in. Gray arrives in the world's only  amphibian Lear Jet.
Machrihannish Bay recedes into the distance. En route to Islay. Taxying past Port Ellen, in search of clue no 2. beached Plane; beached boat. I guess John C is taking the "low road"...
The Paps of Jura. Heading up Loch Fyne. It's tourist season at Inverary - but he's staying in his car! A short hop through the Pass of Brander...
... to Oban (North Connell), for the first overnight stop. Day 2. Heading out over Loch Sunart... ... and the Cuillin Sound, to Skye. Taxying in to Loch Brittle.
Climbing out past the Cuillin Hills, and heading North. Ullapool. This looks like the spot! Mmmm - fresh fish for supper tonightg! The last take off of the day, takes us North West to...
... Stornaway. There's a nice B&B for a few days R&R. Time to head South again. Visibility is not so good for sightseeing! Passing Skye again.
Overflying Glenforsa, looking for the floatplane dock. Another clue: Another take off! Fishnish Pier. The ferry's in, so it must be rush hour! Heading down the Sound of Bute, towards Prestwick.
Turning left base at Prestwick. i hope the fuel farm is still open! Departing Prestwick to the South, and following the coast. Turning in to Loch Ryan.
There's the hut, on the shore behind my rear strut. The beer truck arrives. The miniature wind socks bore no relation to the actual wind direction! Final take off, back to Campbeltown Mull of Kintyre
O mist rolling in from the sea
My desire... all together now...
Lights on, approach checks complete Clear to land, four ambers., G-TS A few days later, and I have a nice hotship for the trip back to Carlisle Were we meet up with Mike G and Peter D. Ross was in the tower, performing the honours.
Page updated 01/06/08