Soon after we begin our search of the bank south of Hyskeir, we find three sharks. Like yesterday, photo ID is a priority. As well as identification, we also aim to get accurate length estimates for the sharks. This can be done from the photographs, which need to contain three useful pieces of information: the horizon, the nose or tail, and the dorsal fin of the shark. Current size estimates for basking sharks range up to 8.8 metres (28.9 feet), although Gavin Maxwell hunted specimens that reportedly reached a length of more than 12 metres (39 feet).

We also follow one basking shark for an hour and a half with the video range-track apparatus so that we can study its small-scale movements. We sight several more sharks on the way to Canna; we see ten altogether by the end of the day. This morning dawned to a blustery day so we set sail for Tobermory on the island of Mull to pick up a minke whale faecal sample from the skipper of the Sea Life Surveys vessel, "Alpha Beta." Sea Life Surveys takes people out to see minke whales and basking sharks around the Isle of Mull. The Alpha Beta crew had been fortunate enough to be watching a minke whale when it defecated. And knowing that we were interested in obtaining a sample, they excitedly scrambled to retrieve some before it dispersed. We are sailing along nicely on a broad reach in rough seas and discussing whether or not minke whales breach more when it is rough weather when, suddenly, a minke whale breaches completely out of the water while spinning around longitudinally 360 degrees, just 100 metres from the boat. (Like basking sharks, whales sometimes leap clear of the water, perhaps to remove parasites, as a form of communication, or just for fun.)

The whale then surfs toward us and dives under the boat before heading off toward Ardnamurchen Point. Soon after, a small basking shark passes very close to the boat. When the conditions are rough it is much more difficult to spot animals at sea. We are up before dawn and heading offshore as it starts to lighten. We sail north past Bloody Bay on Mull when we spot a curious minke whale that spends some time with us. It has a distinctive nick in the dorsal fin; Alison recognizes it as an individual minke whale that has been photographed previously and so is in the photo-identification catalogue. It is minke whale Number Two.

The whale spends a lot of time close to the boat. That, and the appropriateness of its catalogue number, make us hopeful that this will be the whale we retrieve a faecal sample from. Alas, it is not to be. Number Two moves off. It has started to rain. We decide that it is best to head back to Tobermory and get some essential maintenance done. The weather is beautiful again so we seize the chance and strike out early to head for waters that seem popular with the minke whales east of Eigg.

Eigg is one of the Small Isles, in the Scottish Inner Hebrides. It lies to the south of the Skye and to the north of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Eigg is 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) long from north to south, and 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) east to west. With an area of 12 square miles (31 km2), it is the second largest of the Small Isles after Rùm.

The main settlement on Eigg is Cleadale, a fertile coastal plain in the north west. It is known for its quartz beach, called the "singing sands" (Tràigh a' Bhìgeil) on account of the squeaking noise it makes if walked on when dry.