Anchorages Iona/West Mull?

[JumbleDuck]

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.

The last two times I went though the Sound of Iona, heading for Coll and back from Mallaig, there were a substantial number of boats overnighting in Martyrs' Bay - might have been ten each time. It surprise me a bit, as I have used it for a day out on Iona but never thought of it for overnight.

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.

Point of information: They are Calmac (well, Caledonian Marine Assets Ltd, the infrastructure side) moorings. The HIDB hasn't existed for 24 years - although I do still think of the blue hippos as HIDB buoys. The nes at Arinagour look OK, but they are quite a long way out from the more sheltered bit of the harbour, so I chose to anchor much further in. Lovely place, delightful people, fantastic deli.

 

[aquaplane]

When we were there last year there were easterlies so we were OK anchoring to the North of both Tinkers and Bull holes, we could see out

There was a boat anchored just off the camp site at Fidden too, that looked a good spot. We walked from the camp site to the pub/ferry @ Fionnport, only a mile or two.

I can see why it would have been better to snuggle up in the main part of the holes in the prevailing SW winds though.

We had a day on the beach @ Fionnport too, a very secure anchorage if you want to leave the boat to ferry across to Iona.

 

[Minchsailor]

Remember, if all that you want to do is visit Iona, you can get the bus from Tobermory.

 

[JumbleDuck]

There was a boat anchored just off the camp site at Fidden too, that looked a good spot.

It is, and there are showers available at the camp site.

 

[benbc]

The two traditional anchorages are Bull Hole and Tinker's Hole. The latter gets very crowded

I hear often that Tinker's Hole is a great anchorage but can be crowded. I'd like to visit when I'm cruising round Mull this summer, but I'm not sure how likely it is that there just won't be space.

If I turned up at Tinker's Hole in a 40-footer on a Sunday evening at the beginning of August this year, should I expect to find space? Or should I make sure to get there in good time so as to have plenty of light to go on to Bunessan?

 

[AntarcticPilot]

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.

I certainly enjoyed our day there, even though it was pouring down with rain! Tend to agree about the Abbey; it is pretty heavily restored, and not really all that old (it is mediaeval catholic, not Celtic; it's only about as old as many parish churches in England). The interest in the Abbey is with the 20th and 21st century history, and the Iona Community - which is fascinating in its own right, and still inspires many today. John Bell, who often broadcasts on "Thought for the Day", is the current inspiration for the Iona Comminuity. But there are plenty of old Celtic church remains, and of course the burial ground was for centuries where Scottish kings ended up. For me the highlight was Tor nan Abb; which is reputed to be where Columba had his cell; certainly gave me a tingle up my spine.

Snag from a yachting point of view is the lack of a safe anchorage actually on Iona; Martyr's Bay (next to the ferry) is pretty exposed, and the Sound of Iona can kick up very rough. I wouldn't leave a yacht unmanned there except in very settled, favourable conditions. We stayed at Bull Hole; the weather was bad enough that there wasn't a problem with tour boats! But it's a fairly long walk to Fionnphort from there; we found it better to take the footpath from the landing for the ferry crew to the road rather than hack across country; the road is further, but MUCH easier walking (and a nice person gave us a lift on the way back). I haven't been to Tinker's Hole, but be aware that it is on a separate island, and that although you can walk ashore to Mull at low tide, you'll have to watch the tides. When I do it again, I'll probably take the advice to go to Bunessan and take the bus.

 

[JumbleDuck]

The interest in the Abbey is with the 20th and 21st century history, and the Iona Community - which is fascinating in its own right, and still inspires many today.

My grandmother's uncle was the treasurer when the community was founded, so I've always felt a (quite unwarranted) personal connection with the place.That aside, I think it has been a very positive and much needed influence in Scottish religious life, which is far, far too beset with schism, sectarianism and mistrust.

We stayed at Bull Hole; the weather was bad enough that there wasn't a problem with tour boats! But it's a fairly long walk to Fionnphort from there; we found it better to take the footpath from the landing for the ferry crew to the road rather than hack across country; the road is further, but MUCH easier walking (and a nice person gave us a lift on the way back).

There is a very good path round the coast through the quarry, but it's hard to spot heading from Bull Hole to Fionnphort. You have to head up the incline from the pier, then (from memory) turn right at the cottages half-way up and even then it's not clear which way to go in a couple of places, though it's much easier to follow in the other direction. Otherwise you can go straight up the incline to the top and take the quarry road. Maybe that's what you meant?

The walk from Fionnphort to Erraid is included in "Coast: The Walks" which is available from Amazon at 1p upwards - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coast-The-Walks-Various/dp/1846073553

Disclaimer: I wrote six of the walks in the book, including the Erraid one. I get no royalties, even if you buy new!

 

[bikedaft]

My grandmother's uncle was the treasurer when the community was founded, so I've always felt a (quite unwarranted) personal connection with the place.That aside, I think it has been a very positive and much needed influence in Scottish religious life, which is far, far too beset with schism, sectarianism and mistrust.



There is a very good path round the coast through the quarry, but it's hard to spot heading from Bull Hole to Fionnphort. You have to head up the incline from the pier, then (from memory) turn right at the cottages half-way up and even then it's not clear which way to go in a couple of places, though it's much easier to follow in the other direction. Otherwise you can go straight up the incline to the top and take the quarry road. Maybe that's what you meant?

The walk from Fionnphort to Erraid is included in "Coast: The Walks" which is available from Amazon at 1p upwards - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Coast-The-Walks-Various/dp/1846073553

Disclaimer: I wrote six of the walks in the book, including the Erraid one. I get no royalties, even if you buy new!

oh, ok then, i've ordered one. i've been meaning to look at the quarry at the south end for a while, not yet made it

i was not so keen on the abbey when it seemed to be taken over by the CND in the '80's but all different now. peaceful spot

 

[dgadee]

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

That was my experience, too. Loads of moorings, all empty, and no space to anchor. That's obviously the Crown Commissioners working at their best.

 

[JumbleDuck]

That was my experience, too. Loads of moorings, all empty, and no space to anchor. That's obviously the Crown Commissioners working at their best.

I don't think the CEC know anything at all about the moorings in Bull Hole. I had a look at a few of them; not a tag to be seen, and all at the baler-twine-and-empty-antifreeze-cartoon end of the market. I've reported them to the CEC but I am not very optimistic.

 

[aquaplane]

Our one and only visit was Aug Bank holiday week last year. It was bright and sunny with good easterly breezes, ideal conditions for that side of Mull I would have thought. We were on our own at Tinkers hole, except the yacht in The Sound of Erraid if that counts.
There were two other yachts about the next night in Bull hole none of us near the perch, we were a bit close to the cable if anything, I can't say it was busy. It may have been a bit more crowded if we were all trying to hide from westerly winds.

I certainly want to go back again and have another look round, there is lots to see



Chiron is the blob in the sun lower right. Tinkers hole is the thin bit below the island mid frame. Pic from the old observatory IIRC.

 

[Storyline]

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.

Are there moorings actually in Tinkers hole now ?

 

[ionbard]

Are there moorings actually in Tinkers hole now ?

there weren't last August when we were there.

 

[Kelpie]

If you'r stuck for an anchorage, e.g. no room in the lovely little bay on the N of Gometra, then you can carry on along to the end of Ulva and anchor in by the fish farm. We spent a very relaxed couple of days there waiting for bad weather to pass, totally deserted and isolated, the only downside was there was a humming noise coming from the fish farm equipment which you could hear when you went down below, as it was being transmitted through the water.

 

[awol]

Are there moorings actually in Tinkers hole now ?

I think there is confusion between Bulls and Tinkers - the former's hole certainly has moorings.

 

[JumbleDuck]

I think there is confusion between Bulls and Tinkers - the former's hole certainly has moorings.

I've been in touch with the CEC about the proliferation of dubious moorings in Bull Hole, and have received a very friendly reply, They are apparently well aware of the issue and are about to start a push to regularise the situation.

 

[cpedw]

the only downside was there was a humming noise coming from the fish farm equipment which you could hear when you went down below, as it was being transmitted through the water.

That can be deliberate - a seal scarer I believe. Generally inaudible to older men so count your blessings...
Derek

 

[dunedin]

Worth remembering that the Sound of Iona can be shallow at low tide. We seem to always time it at dead low water springs and the channel then is very narrow, shallow and close to Bull Hole. Need to pay attention rather than just watch the view ;-)

 

[awol]

Worth remembering that the Sound of Iona can be shallow at low tide. We seem to always time it at dead low water springs and the channel then is very narrow, shallow and close to Bull Hole. Need to pay attention rather than just watch the view ;-)

Only for you rich people with big boats! The west side is fine even at springs for keels <~2m, though the depth sounder may cause concern to those more used to double figures.

 

[dunedin]

Only for you rich people with big boats! The west side is fine even at springs for keels <~2m, though the depth sounder may cause concern to those more used to double figures.

Tee hee ! But if you just dander down the middle, as we have seen some innocents do, there are quite a few 1.3m and a 0.1m at datum. And even if keep close to the west side to avoid these looks like a 1.6m. Keeping hard east at Eilean nam Ban is doable with 2m keel, but even there we had just 2.5m depth in places and visibly just a smidgen under the keel for quite a while.
But as noted we have coincidentally been through recently mostly at low spring tides with nothing above datum.

And clearly our racy fin keels are more sensitive souls than yours ;-)