10 best anchorages in Outer Hebrides

[Albert Ross]

6 weeks in Western Isles this Summer.

10 best anchorages / places to stop in Outer Hebrides please?

 

[pagoda]

Nobody's going to quote their secret places, but visit Coll, Barra, Eriskay and on the way up the Uists - Loch Boisdale-(because it has a few shops and a hotel), Wizard Pool, and LochMaddy. Check the pilot books and work out a few more. There are countless hidey holes all the way up the coast, many a bit rock strewn and full of kelp, but that keeps them quiet - if that's what you're after?
You will almost certainly meet numerous basking sharks. Switch off the engine and let them come past you. Magic

 

[wully1]

In no particular order:

The Ardmore Islands off Islay
West Loch Tarbert, Jura
Ulva
Sgeir a Chaisteil, north of Lunga if it's settlred
Loch Na Cuilsh in the NW corner of Loch Scavaig, not so quiet now there is a tourist boat chugging in and out from Elgol
SW of Shillay Mor in Loch Skipport
Acairsed Mhor, Rona
Shieldaig in Loch torridon
Inverie ( there are some moorings there now )
Loch Moidart ( not been in there yet, looks lovely)

Loch Drumbuidhe as a quieter alternative to the metropolis of Tobermory

OK, thats 11 but you'll maybe have enough time in 6 weeks as you'll doubtless find many, many more quiet snug places.

Have fun.

 

[Uricanejack]

6 weeks in Western Isles this Summer.

10 best anchorages / places to stop in Outer Hebrides please?

Impossible to pick the best there are so many. but some of my favourites were. Sorry in advance for the shpellings.

Canna.
Phuldorin. Can be busy but I take pleasure in walking over the hill to cross the bridge over the Atlantic and currently wonder if Dylan will ba able to circumnavigate in his punt.

Loch Drambuie. (Well it sound like Drambuie) but I heard it was taken over by fish farms. I havent been there since the 80's

Gometrea. particularly if you want to take a peak at Fingles cave. (my sons great Grandfather was born there)

Behind Castle Tioram in Loch Moidart.

Giha. well its pretty and I like to walk to the Gardens.

Garvelochs. I used to go there regularly last time there was a wee niaff from the SNP wanting a landing fee(The former owner donated the Island to the SNP or so I heard WTF. Im a nationalist myself but WTF) The aproach is intricate and the current can be strong. Cool spot though aincient church.

Tayvallich is Bay is to crowed but nice to anchor in outer bay.

Kentra Bay. Its shallow Dylan can dry and explore miles of sand and feel at home. you can Anchor on the west side of the bay. Nobody in thier right mind goes there.

Anywhere on Skye.

Castle Bay.

For some strange reason Ive never been to Uist sailed past but never stopped.

I'm sure there are at least 10 better than those but I like them. My sister sends me pictures of my nieces swiming in the anchorage in corryvrecan Its a favourite of hers. One day I may go there.

I could just say any with a pub. or actualy a hotel bar.

I just realised allmost all I mention are actualy in the inner Hebrides they are nice anyway

 

[Albert Ross]

Thank you.
Yes, have visited many of these places in the Inner Hebrides, but all these suggestions will help the Summer feel nearer.

Please keep them coming.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Loch Na Cuilsh in the NW corner of Loch Scavaig, not so quiet now there is a tourist boat chugging in and out from Elgol

"A" tourist boat? There are at least four of them. However, we found them very friendly indeed, and extremely happy to share their landing stage with tenders - they'd happily let you cross their decks when tied up. Sure, it's a bit busy when they are running, but the operators couldn't be nicer neighbours and when they left it was just us, the red dear and a French couple showering in the buff under a waterfall. And the midgies.

 

[rbmatthews]

Looking forward to seeing what answers you get. We are also planning three weeks in the Outer Hebrides (Lewis & Harris) in June, so may see you there.

Anchorages we are thinking of, without having a clue whether they are any good or not are:

Loch Erisort
Loch Seaforth
East Loch Tarbert
Rodel
Loch Mhiabhaig
Loch Leosavay
Loch Resort
Loch Tamanavay
Lots of places in Loch Roag

but there also seem to be any number of little hidey holes in between these, so we will just stay where it takes our fancy and the weather dictates.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Garvelochs. I used to go there regularly last time there was a wee niaff from the SNP wanting a landing fee(The former owner donated the Island to the SNP or so I heard WTF. Im a nationalist myself but WTF) The aproach is intricate and the current can be strong. Cool spot though aincient church.

Are you sure you've got the right island? Eilean MacCormaig Mor off the mouth of Loch Sween was owned by the SNP and is now owned by a trust. They ask for a donation towards upkeep of the island and the nice wee black house visitor centre they've built. Garbh Eileach is one of the Garvellochs, north of the Firth of Lorne, and is privately owned. The southernmost Garvelloch, Eileach an Naoimh, has a ruined chapel and a cell on it, just like Eilean MacCormaig Mor.

Garbh Eileach has a fun wee anchorage on its eastern side, described in the old CCC books as "suitable for one boat in sheltered daytime conditions". When I was young, brave, foolish and desperate I once went it there as second boat, at 3am, in F6. We had a very peaceful night, as it happened, after that.

 

[rbmatthews]

I think the Garvellachs are/were owned by Lord Sandys, the Captain of the Yeoman of the Guard, but he died a year ago, so not too sure what is the situation now.

 

[awol]

Will you chiels never learn? One wee apparently innocuous question and you're giving away the crown jewels. If the OP really wants the answer, Martin Lawrence's wonderfully pessimistic series of Pilots gives the facts together with grim warnings, or he could go ask the question in "anither place".
Remember no mention of Scottish waters should be made without reference to hidden rocks (some uncharted), sudden unforcastable gales, flocks of man-eating insects, no creature comforts, no vhf/mobile coverage, unfriendly natives, etc., etc. Otherwise your favourite anchorages could get clogged with plastic soap dishes.

 

[Fascadale]

Will you chiels never learn? One wee apparently innocuous question and you're giving away the crown jewels. If the OP really wants the answer, Martin Lawrence's wonderfully pessimistic series of Pilots gives the facts together with grim warnings, or he could go ask the question in "anither place".
Remember no mention of Scottish waters should be made without reference to hidden rocks (some uncharted), sudden unforcastable gales, flocks of man-eating insects, no creature comforts, no vhf/mobile coverage, unfriendly natives, etc., etc. Otherwise your favourite anchorages could get clogged with plastic soap dishes.

+1

 

[wully1]

Will you chiels never learn? One wee apparently innocuous question and you're giving away the crown jewels. If the OP really wants the answer, Martin Lawrence's wonderfully pessimistic series of Pilots gives the facts together with grim warnings, or he could go ask the question in "anither place".
Remember no mention of Scottish waters should be made without reference to hidden rocks (some uncharted), sudden unforcastable gales, flocks of man-eating insects, no creature comforts, no vhf/mobile coverage, unfriendly natives, etc., etc. Otherwise your favourite anchorages could get clogged with plastic soap dishes.

1. Most fouwk never get farther than Tobe.
2. Thems that do go to Coll or Mallaig-now it's got pontoons.
3. The ones that venture beyond disappear into the utter hemhoroids and are seldom seen.
4. I didn't tell him the really good places, he can find them for himself.

 

[GrahamP]

Please excuse this thread drift but a very good friend of mine has just published a book about Scotland's islands. It could provide a useful read before and during your trip. I have just checked, but it not available on line yet! Her's a link and some info about the book.........

http://www.amazon.com/Scotlands-Islands-Special-Kind-Freedom/dp/1910021075

Scotland's Islands: A Special Kind of Freedom

This is not a guide to the islands of Scotland.
This is not a tour to be followed, nor is it travel advice.

Richard Clubley shares the sense of freedom he finds in the Scottish islands as he discovers their individual character, beauty and diversity.
He meets locals and learns a few realities of island life. He almost perished on Ailsa Craig, before finding fresh water dripping from the roof of a cave, but spends two idyllic nights alone on Mingulay, with a fabulous coal fire in a bothy. His passion for Scottish islands shines through every chapter.

So… Curl up by the fire, pull the blanket close and sip on your dram. You’re about to escape to the islands. Prepare for addiction.

About the author… Richard lives in Sheffield which is not a good place to stay if you love Scottish islands. Even so, he makes the journey north several times a year and it is always a thrill. He has visited 65 of the islands and never tires of them. They are all different, beautiful and endlessly fascinating. He has led school parties to Staffa; camped on Mingulay and argued with the Laird on Eigg. He has seen rare birds on Fair Isle, otters on Mull and kayaked to Pladda. Richard has visited Britain’s smallest secondary school on Out Skerries, found archaeological treasure in Orkney and discussed wind turbines in Shetland. He almost perished on Ailsa Craig and was blown off his feet on Tiree. He met a Bronze Age queen on Bute and enjoyed Lady Monica’s bed in Rum (a story not included here). He hasn’t made it to Shiant – yet – but saw pink dolphins off St Kilda.

Praise for Scotland’s Islands…
’A book for islomanes to savour in sips. Night caps are suggested; that way the addiction can be controlled.’
Mairi Hedderwick

 

[Albert Ross]

1. Most fouwk never get farther than Tobe.
2. Thems that do go to Coll or Mallaig-now it's got pontoons.
3. The ones that venture beyond disappear into the utter hemhoroids and are seldom seen.
4. I didn't tell him the really good places, he can find them for himself.

Thanks.
Much concern here that someone may give away the crown jewels .. perhaps this may explain why so much many great places in the "inner Heamorrhoids" have been revealed but few in the utter ones.
I'm looking for opinions and personal experiences of places in the Outer Hs Lewis to Barra .. and BTW what is Stornoway like nowadays for a visiting yacht in July?
I look forward to meeting you rbm.

 

[NorthUp]

Thanks.
Much concern here that someone may give away the crown jewels .. perhaps this may explain why so much many great places in the "inner Heamorrhoids" have been revealed but few in the utter ones.
I'm looking for opinions and personal experiences of places in the Outer Hs Lewis to Barra .. and BTW what is Stornoway like nowadays for a visiting yacht in July?
I look forward to meeting you rbm.

Stornoway now has seventy plus pontoon berths, with electric, and a new harbourmaster.

 

[wully1]

And in July there is a boat festival alongside the Hebridean Celtic Festival. Not to be missed.

I hope to be there this year again.

Google ' Hebceltfest'

 

[Uricanejack]

Are you sure you've got the right island? Eilean MacCormaig Mor off the mouth of Loch Sween was owned by the SNP and is now owned by a trust. They ask for a donation towards upkeep of the island and the nice wee black house visitor centre they've built. Garbh Eileach is one of the Garvellochs, north of the Firth of Lorne, and is privately owned. The southernmost Garvelloch, Eileach an Naoimh, has a ruined chapel and a cell on it, just like Eilean MacCormaig Mor.

Garbh Eileach has a fun wee anchorage on its eastern side, described in the old CCC books as "suitable for one boat in sheltered daytime conditions". When I was young, brave, foolish and desperate I once went it there as second boat, at 3am, in F6. We had a very peaceful night, as it happened, after that.

Yes got them mixed up been to both, both are nice. Thanks

 

[JumbleDuck]

Yes got them mixed up been to both, both are nice.

Easy to do, because the things on them are so similar. Perhaps it was like Welsh Methodist Chapels to the locals a thousand years ago - That's the remote windswept island with a church and a cramped uncomfortable monk's cell you go to and that's the remote windswept island with a church and a cramped uncomfortable monk's cell you don't go to.

 

[dovekie]

If you get settled weather I would suggest the Monach Isles.

 

[claymore]

To be honest - all the places that have been listed are terrrible. All have the biggest midgies and it tends to rain all the time apart from an hour off at around 2 am.
The long range forecast for the summer is quite a bad one with a lot of snow and ice and gales - well, storms really.
On the other hand, the Clyde will be very nice.