The Caledonian MacBrayne services from the Isle of Lewis to Ullapool had been greatly reduced: the unprofitable route across the Minch was barely worth running now that Stornoway was a major port for container ships bound for Iceland. So we knew that we would have only one opportunity to head home after our holiday in the Outer Hebrides as guests of D and AJ: Sunday afternoon at 4pm.

The big question was whether J and GC would make it to the ferry in time too. We weren’t entirely convinced that they’d manage the course under their own steam by tandem – but they did, just in the nick of time.