After 1,339 nautical miles sailed, the good ship Merlin and crew have arrived in Scotland!!
It’s been an eventful voyage since leaving Ipswich. We’ve seen half the UK’s stunning coastline, been surrounded by wildlife - whales, seabirds, seals, and dolphins making trails of bioluminescence, explored remote bays and bustling harbours and had some brilliant sailing.
The reason we called it Sail Britain is that there is so much to see and explore in this stunning archipelago. And this, our longest voyage yet, has totally hit that home.
Arriving back in the Western Isles has been a homecoming of sorts, as this is where our ocean-going
projects started back in 2018. Sail Britain has always pioneered interdisciplinary projects, and in particular, working with artists on ocean engagement.
This year we are particularly happy to be running the third season of the Life of Islands Residency. Led by artist and musician Laura Copsey, the residency explores ‘Islandness’, the special nature of islands, their cultural identity, and what they can teach us on the mainland about alternative societies.
Islands are of course intimately connected to the ocean. You need to cross it to access them, and again to return to the mainland. This isolation makes the limited resources available precious, and as a result, their populations highly aware of their impact. Whether this is electricity supply which may be from renewables, or issues with waste disposal, life on islands can show us how little we need to survive, not how much. In some ways this echoes what we find on the boat where power and water are precious and finite. It’s a good exercise in sustainable living!
During this week, we have been visiting people in remote communities learning about their lives, their connection with nature, and the lessons remote places can teach us about living in balance with the environment. We’ve also been learning about the unique ecology of these places, often home to species found in few other places. And of course we have the magic of travelling under sail. Our crew needs to work fluently together and learn to rely upon each other to tackle the challenge of safely navigating sometimes stormy seas, and the way this brings us together as a team never ceases to amaze. Seeing how friendships and inspiration develop as a result is a constant joy.
Merlin has four weeks left of the summer season before winter maintenance begins, and a new season of ocean engagement is planned. We are grateful and inspired by the support and encouragement from everyone we work with in our mission to inspire positive change for the oceans.
To find out more about Sail Britain visit www.sailbritain.org
Blog by Oliver Beardon