On the way to Peterhead, we had noticed numerous dead seabirds at sea. The number was in the higher double digits on our course alone. And also on the way to the port Wick as well as on land we find dead birds - the bird flu as the locals enlighten us. A terrible pandemic is raging among the birds.

The small town of Wick is only about 12 nautical miles from the entrance to the Pentland Firth. A good starting point to tackle this difficult and potentially dangerous passage. We wait for favorable weather and in the meantime are entertained by Scottish folklore.