Hazelnut and Chocolate Torte

Using our own homegrown hazelnuts, so much pleasure was derived from this relatively simple but delicious cake. I am not at all sure if it would taste the same using shop- bought imported nuts, but it would probably work quite well. If you do not have your own hazelnuts, then go and plant a couple…

Cruising in Scotland, by the Governor’s Great Great Grandaughter

” The heeling of the yacht did not prevent the cooking of a noble stew, to which we did ample justice. Does the reader think there is a good deal in this book about eating and drinking? No faithful record of a yacht cruise is otherwise possible…” So wrote in 1876 my Great, Great Grandfather…

Canna

It is 30 years since we last anchored here, and it is a real pleasure to be back. After really quite an uncomfortable sail from Muck yesterday, hard on the wind in 25 knots of wind with moderate to rough seas latterly, we hunkered down here in a Northerly gale with horizontal rain, and slept…

The Caledonian Canal

I suppose that transiting, by yacht, the Caledonian Canal in Scotland should be on most people’s bucket list of things to do before they die. So much is already written about this remarkable man-made passage between the North Sea and the Inner Hebrides, and you will find it hard to read anything but fulsome praise…