The Crew & The Concept
Welcome to The Sea-Mark Chronicles. I’m Su, if you have stumbled across this little corner of the internet expecting an experienced sailor dispensing nautical wisdom… well, I’d suggest you lower your expectations just a touch!
I am more a passenger and crew member than a sailor. I know which way to point the tiller, I have learnt my port from my starboard (eventually) and I know how to tie up onto a pontoon. I have no idea how to trim a sail and learning knots is still a work in progress, but I know how to make a decent cup of tea and a bacon sandwich.
The real sailor is Ben. He’s the one who understands the tides, the weather, the charts and, well, how to sail. While I’m admiring the scenery, asking why a ruined castle is perched on the top of a cliff or being amazed by the cliffs, he is the one who gets us safely from A to B.
Beller
Then there is Beller, a beautiful 1972 Rival 32 yacht. Now, I know very little about boats, but I know exactly why I love her. I love that the cockpit isn’t enormous. It simply means there’s less distance to fall if the weather suddenly decides to become interesting. I love her wide side decks, her distinctive Rival keyhole and her wonderfully traditional interior. She feels warm, solid and homely, more like a tiny floating cottage than a yacht.
And her heart, a 35hp Beta engine. Probably larger than a Rival 32 really needs, and it has stolen a little space from the companionway and galley, but it’s earned its keep more than once.
I genuinely believe Beller has a soul. She’s dependable, forgiving and somehow always seems to look after us. She’s also the only mistress I’m perfectly happy for Ben to spend time with. He understands her, listens to her, and most of the time she responds beautifully.
Most of the time…
Unless we’re entering a marina. With spectators… Beller then appears to have a mind of her own and decides to have a bit of fun with Ben.
Why?
So why the blog? Well, as you’ve guessed it isn’t really a sailing blog. It’s a collection of journeys around Scotland’s remarkable coastline. It’s about the places we visit, the history hidden around every headland, the castles, lighthouses and forgotten villages, the wildlife and the fascinating people whose stories are woven into the landscape.
What You Will Find in the Chronicles
To help navigate our journeys with us, I have broken down the discoveries into four simple logs:
Clans & Castles (yellow monument) – Researching the historical past of the dramatic ruins we visit or sail past, the people that created the history and the events that shaped things to come
Stone & Structure (orange mountain) – Exploring the incredible coastline geology, lighthouses and formations like Fingal’s Cave.
The Sailor’s Quay (blue anchor) – My take on marinas, harbours and their facilities
Island Shelters (blue sailing boat) – Documenting the wilder side of our trips with anchorages
Use the interactive map on the homepage to click on any icon to dive straight into a specific place’s story.
I’m not a historian, a geologist or even a writer, but I am endlessly curious, forever asking “I wonder why…”, and that’s really what these posts are about, sharing the experiences in my own way.
So, whether you sail, love history, enjoy wildlife or simply like exploring Scotland from the comfort of an armchair with a cup of tea, I hope you’ll enjoy coming along for the journey.
Welcome Aboard