Kirtomy Bay

In a stretch of coast with no natural ports of refuge, this harbour, the most quaint imaginable, is accessible by a zigzag path descending the steep cliffs from the landside, and from the sea through a narrow channel in the rocky reefs, which looks easily navigable at low tide and in calm seas.

In 1910, Kirtomy faced devastation when a fishing boat was swamped within sight of the harbour. Three boats had ventured out to retrieve their creels when a sudden storm struck. Two managed to reach the safety of the harbour, but the third, the “Rival,” sailing against the storm, was overwhelmed and sank. All five crewmen perished, leaving behind four widows and five children ¹https://www.strathnavermuseum.org.uk/lost-at-sea/ .

The tragedy must have revived memories of an event 29 years earlier when another fishing boat, departing from Kirtomy for Thurso, was lost in a gale, taking with it a crew of four²Manchester Evening News Tuesday 26 April 1881 .

• 1
  https://www.strathnavermuseum.org.uk/lost-at-sea/
• 2
  Manchester Evening News Tuesday 26 April 1881