Tobermory
What's the "harbour" story in Tobermory....wouldn't you like to know?" (Apologies to the script writers of the BBC Balamory programme!)
Most people in the UK recognise this iconic capital of Mull that we were lucky enough to visit and is home to our 80th Harbour Master Rob Macdonald. Rob used to work in a caravan factory in England - only returning to his family home of Mull every summer holiday. In 2005 he returned home for good, joined the Life Boat crew, eventually getting the job as Trainee HM, taking over as full time HM in March 2020. A baptism of fire coping with a new job and Covid.
For Rob, HM is a dream job. He loves working with people and for him the perfect day is dealing with up to 1,800 passengers disembarking from one of the dozens of cruise liners visiting this favourite Inner Hebrides destination. The town's population is only 1,500 so you can imagine the importance of tourist income to this town..... sadly it looks like it just won't happen in 2020. One photo shows the commercial quay in the harbour completely empty.
I did not have to ask Rob what is unique about his harbour - one glimpse of the long row of multi coloured houses and you know the answer! The Mishnish Hotel on the water front first led the way when its owner, Bobby MacLeod, decided 45 years ago to paint the property bright pink and later yellow, prompting others to follow and decorate the neighbouring buildings in bold blues and reds.
The harbour, like many, is run as a non profit making organisation. Income has all but disappeared in 2020 but costs have not - just servicing all the mooring buoys in the harbour costs £50,000 - something us boat owners take for granted, that the mooring buoy will secure our boat safely in a storm. Rob, like everyone in beautiful Tobermory hopes the visitors, the yachts and the cruise ships return soon to secure Tobermory's income and enjoy this friendly town once again. @tobermoryharbour
Most people in the UK recognise this iconic capital of Mull that we were lucky enough to visit and is home to our 80th Harbour Master Rob Macdonald. Rob used to work in a caravan factory in England - only returning to his family home of Mull every summer holiday. In 2005 he returned home for good, joined the Life Boat crew, eventually getting the job as Trainee HM, taking over as full time HM in March 2020. A baptism of fire coping with a new job and Covid.
For Rob, HM is a dream job. He loves working with people and for him the perfect day is dealing with up to 1,800 passengers disembarking from one of the dozens of cruise liners visiting this favourite Inner Hebrides destination. The town's population is only 1,500 so you can imagine the importance of tourist income to this town..... sadly it looks like it just won't happen in 2020. One photo shows the commercial quay in the harbour completely empty.
I did not have to ask Rob what is unique about his harbour - one glimpse of the long row of multi coloured houses and you know the answer! The Mishnish Hotel on the water front first led the way when its owner, Bobby MacLeod, decided 45 years ago to paint the property bright pink and later yellow, prompting others to follow and decorate the neighbouring buildings in bold blues and reds.
The harbour, like many, is run as a non profit making organisation. Income has all but disappeared in 2020 but costs have not - just servicing all the mooring buoys in the harbour costs £50,000 - something us boat owners take for granted, that the mooring buoy will secure our boat safely in a storm. Rob, like everyone in beautiful Tobermory hopes the visitors, the yachts and the cruise ships return soon to secure Tobermory's income and enjoy this friendly town once again. @tobermoryharbour