Anchorages Iona/West Mull?

[Redfox226]

Hi

I'm currently dreaming my Summer RB trip, and would like to at least see Iona - are there any anchorages anyone knows of nearby?

 

[Minchsailor]

Bulls Hole. Walk over the fields to the ferry at Fionnphort. Possible temporary anchorage off Iona in very settled weather.

Be warned - Iona is not that interesting and the Abbey brings a whole new meaning to the word 'restoration'.

 

[Redfox226]

Bulls Hole. Walk over the fields to the ferry at Fionnphort. Possible temporary anchorage off Iona in very settled weather.

Be warned - Iona is not that interesting and the Abbey brings a whole new meaning to the word 'restoration'.

Thanks for a prompt reply - my 92yr old Father has asked for some pictures as he can't come with me!

 

[claymore]

Tinkers Hole.
You can anchor in the sound but it needs to be settled weather and you need to look for sand rather than Kelp

 

[macd]

...the Abbey brings a whole new meaning to the word 'restoration'.

Hope they're not messing about with great-great-grandpappy's grave

 

[[32511]]

Don't forget the wee anchorage at the north west end of Gometra- not too far away, and very sheltered.

 

[Redfox226]

Tinkers Hole.

Thanks Claymore - struggling to find this on BA2617

 

[iain789]

Bulls Hole is fine and sheltered, but the last time I was there there were so many moorings that it was hard to find a place to anchor (I have a slight phobia about places with lots of moorings - visions of getting my anchor stuck on them). Round the corner at Bunessan is nice and sheltered, or there are the couple of wee bays to the West of Rubh Ardalanish. Also anchorages to the South and North of Gometra, depending on the wind. This website might give you some ideas http://www.scottishanchorages.co.uk/west-mull/4532970866

 

[Redfox226]

Bulls Hole is fine and sheltered, but the last time I was there there were so many moorings that it was hard to find a place to anchor (I have a slight phobia about places with lots of moorings - visions of getting my anchor stuck on them). Round the corner at Bunessan is nice and sheltered, or there are the couple of wee bays to the West of Rubh Ardalanish. Also anchorages to the South and North of Gometra, depending on the wind. This website might give you some ideas http://www.scottishanchorages.co.uk/west-mull/4532970866

Thanks Iain - lots of ideas there - I'll go back to dreaming!

 

[iain789]

Thanks Claymore - struggling to find this on BA2617

56deg 17.4' N
006deg 23.2'W
To the west of Erraid

 

[JumbleDuck]

Hi

I'm currently dreaming my Summer RB trip, and would like to at least see Iona - are there any anchorages anyone knows of nearby?

The two traditional anchorages are Bull Hole and Tinker's Hole. The latter gets very crowded and the former has a strong tide through it and is now largely blocked by unregistered and in many cases unused local moorings, particularly at the north end. The south is rather better, but gets rather bouncy in westerlies. During the day tourits boats to Staff hurtle through constantly, playing "let's see who can get closest to the yachts" with each other. On the upside, the last time I anchored there I saw a family (school? flock? marauding band?) of six otters swimming past the boat.

An Caolas, the western end of the Sound of Erraid, is excellent although west facing, with easy walking access - a couple of miles - to Fionnphort. The south end of the sound (it goes round a corner) is good too.

Antares charts will tell you all you need to know.

 

[Solwaycruiser]

Thanks Claymore - struggling to find this on BA2617

Hi,

If you go to www.scottishanchorages.co.uk and on their home page you can click on 'navionics charts'. Zoom in on Iona, go to the bottom of Iona and across to the SE is the island called Erraid. You should see the circular yacht symbol on the west side of Erraid. Zoom in enough and 'Tinkers Hole' will appear along with an anchor symbol. Hope that helps.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Hi

I'm currently dreaming my Summer RB trip, and would like to at least see Iona - are there any anchorages anyone knows of nearby?

The two traditional anchorages are Bull Hole and Tinker's Hole. The latter gets very crowded and the former has a strong tide through it and is now largely blocked by unregistered and in many cases unused local moorings, particularly at the north end. The south is rather better, but gets rather bouncy in westerlies. During the day tourist boats to Staffa hurtle through constantly, playing "let's see who can get closest to the yachts" with each other. On the upside, the last time I anchored there I saw a family (school? flock? marauding band?) of six otters swimming past the boat.

An Caolas, the western end of the Sound of Erraid, is excellent although west facing, with easy walking access - a couple of miles - to Fionnphort. The south end of the sound (it goes round a corner) is good too.

Antares charts will tell you all you need to know.

 

[Redfox226]

Thanks one and all - that's why I love this forum - crowdsourced database! I'm currently awaiting my CCC Pilot, and will certainly look at Antares.

 

[pagoda]

+1 for Bunessan. You can anchor near the pier or further west near the fishing station(56.319432, -6.26704). Pretty out of the weather. I've also been into Traigh Ghael, west of Ardalanish, and it was beautiful and quiet. 56.272267, -6.298278 .However with normal weather (SW) the incoming swell could be horrible. The sound of Iona is a pretty place, but not much cop for overnight stays....

 

[bikedaft]

camus tuath about 2nm E of N end sound Iona is a good spot.

the anchorage in the treshnish isles (see CCC guide)

erraid - head in towards the pier, but turn to stbd behind the first island, pretty sheltered, v shallow, there was an unmarked floating rope there last year. i meant to cut it but went aground instead going too far in

have fun. its probably my favourite shoreline.

 

[nickf]

All good suggestions but in settled weather Martyrs Bay, on Iona itself, just south of the Cathedral/Abbey is a good daytime stop giving an easy walk to the Abbey.
Well worth a visit.

 

[Cloven]

Be warned - Iona is not that interesting and the Abbey brings a whole new meaning to the word 'restoration'.

Rubbish. Iona is a wonderful place to visit. The abbey is well worth seeing and particularly so if you can keep away from the main tourist visiting times. I have been there many times, by ferry, canoe and boat and always welcome a return visit.

 

[Malo37]

The last time I was in Tinkers Hole, a couple of years ago, in July, it was totally deserted. Lots of heavy moorings there now for fishing boats in what used to be an open anchorage. However the fishing boats use these moorings mainly in bad weather and in settled conditions you can generally pick one up for an overnight stay.
Whilst you are in the area pop over to Coll where you can stay on an HIDB mooring and get a great meal at the hotel. On the way you can also pass by Staffa for a peep into the cave.

 

[cid]

IONA

Hi a few years ago we made it to IONA having tried for years,but weather reports stopped us. We were very pleased to visit ,it was a beautiful day and we enjoyed the time spent ashore. We anchored south off the pier. Having spoken to local fishermen we stayed put for the night. The chain kicked up a bit of a racket dragging to and fro over the rocky bottom. It did not bother me I slept soundly. I am not sure I would recommend anchoring. A year or two later we sailed into Tobermory ,hired a car(£30) drove around Island and took ferry across and once again had a good visit . Views around island well worth the hiring of car.