Day 42: Sat 9 April Just a brief report today. Less than a day since visiting the Barra Lifeboat Station and wishing them well, news of a very local tragedy is filtering through. On arrival at Leverburgh earlier today we were told of the sad loss of life of some fishermen from these Hebridean islands. As I write, the Barra Lifeboat is still involved in the search and rescue/recovery of missing fishermen, having been called out to search for a fishing vessel incident off Mingulay. It appears there may be family connections linking the fishermen and RNLI community.
This brings home sharply the reality of the hazardous coastline and the need for maintaining our Lifeboats.
Our thoughts are with the families and friends of those involved here in the Western Isles at this sad time.
Meanwhile, thanks to Chris, The Leverburgh Lifeboat Operations Manager, for today’s welcome as we arrived on the ferry from Berneray.
From Leverburgh, the well known scenic coast road around and over West Harris deserves a fuller report later. We’re now in another Tarbert, the one in Harris. On to Stornoway tomorrow.
rnli coastal cycle ride 