from the diary of John Alexander Hutcheson Fraser (1876-1939)

In 1882 my grandfather chartered the "Mona", a steam yacht of 280 tons with a crew of 14 for a cruise in the Mediterranean. She proved such a comfortable seaboat that he bought her from Mr. Clark who was having the "Mohican" built.

On the 23rd of June 1896 we were lent the "Mona" for the whole day. I have a photograph which shows Agnes, Hannah, Katie, Jim Taylor, Bertie Macfie, Bill Marshall and Ruby Marquis. Uncle Johnny was in charge. We were all on board shortly after 6 a.m. and had a glorious day, returning about 9 pm. We went south round Mull to Iona and after visiting the Iona Cathedral we came back via Staffa and round the north of Mull through the Sound of Mull and by the back of Lismore. A truly red letter day.