Harbour News 28 June–17th July 2017

51 arrivals for the period

 

Whitefish was once again busy; 12,000 boxes were landed by six Scottish trawlers and eleven Anglo Spanish liners. The Scottish effort continues to concentrate on the Rockall haddock and squid fisheries both of which have exceeded expectations this year. The Anglo fleet are starting to drift away from Ullapool either fishing further south or heading home for a well-earned break.

Busy day at the pier with Maluka, Endeavour, Beryl and Ecce Homo landing prawns and fish.

The shellfish sector has also been busier than usual with a number of visiting prawn trawlers landing good hauls of Minch-caught prawns. Last week heralded the end of an era with the sale of the offshore crabber Heather K. The vessel, which has worked from Ullapool for over a decade, set sail for the last time last Friday night bound for a new life in Holland. Good luck to the new owners and many thanks to the former owners for giving us the business and employing local lads along the way.

Non-fishing was very quiet.  The Fred Olsen liner Boudicca made her third and final call for 2017; her anchor position offered a perfect location to enjoy another great skiff regatta.  During all cruise visits, museum volunteers are hosting morning and afternoon session of local history, film and a little music in the ferry terminals followed by walks around the village; keep an eye out for these sessions on cruise days – they’re free and would be perfect if you’re speaking with visitors about what to do. Other visits were from the fishfarm tug Tie Venture and two navy launches spent the night alongside before heading south.

Other harbour-side events

Feis Rois host another evening of great music upstairs in the Ferry Terminal tonight –  Friday 21st July.  This promises to be a great concert with music from BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Award Finalists Charlie Grey & Joseph Peach and Battle of the Folk Bands 2017 Finalists Hecla.  For more information, please see www.feisrois.org

The next cruise visit (weather permitting) to Ullapool is the Saga Pearl II who makes her maiden call tomorrow – Saturday 22nd July coinciding with the annual Ullapool Rotary pier day and Scottish Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife Marquee on the pier.