Anyone for a visit to St Kilda?

[snowleopard]

Hebrides Northwesterly hurricane force 12 backing southwesterly and decreasing storm force 10 imminent, then decreasing severe gale force 9 soon

 

[[70521]]

It's on my "Bucket List" but not today.

 

[mainsail1]

It's on my list too. Maybe next July!

 

[stephenh]

Should be sheltered in Village Bay though - it faces S/E........

 

[Storyline]

Should be able to find a bit of a lee when you get there


if you get there


Also going to try to get there next year - maybe an informal cruise in company - anyone ?

 

[NormanS]

Village Bay may face SE, but it is an uncomfortable anchorage. Swell curls in from almost any direction, and the squalls coming down off the hill would blaw the hair aff yer heid. Here be dragons. Spectacular place, but choose good weather.

 

[[32511]]

Monday looks just as breezy.

 

[claymore]

Should be able to find a bit of a lee when you get there


if you get there


Also going to try to get there next year - maybe an informal cruise in company - anyone ?

Funny you should ask - I have a plan for May/June

 

[Poignard]

As Private Frazer would say".. 'tis a wild and lonely place...",

 

[savageseadog]

It's on my list.....................................................of places not to go to

 

[Sidedrum]

It's on my list.....................................................of places not to go to

Your loss then. It is a fantastic place, which you have to experience to appreciate (fair weather only!)

 

[LittleShip]

As Private Frazer would say".. 'tis a wild and lonely place...",

No he wouldn't .... He would say

Werrre al dooomed. :nonchalance:

Tom.

 

[yotter]

I am very keen next summer, probably July. Never been before, would probably plan to depart from Leverburgh Sound of Harris, is this normal departure/return point? Still have to do homework and will not go unless pretty settled.

I have a friend who is starting work there month on / month off, so handy for knowledge

 

[KenMcCulloch]

I am very keen next summer, probably July. Never been before, would probably plan to depart from Leverburgh Sound of Harris, is this normal departure/return point? Still have to do homework and will not go unless pretty settled.

I have a friend who is starting work there month on / month off, so handy for knowledge

It's common to go from Leverburgh or elsewhere around the Sound of Harris, but the best way is to leave Castlebay (Barra) in the afternoon, through the Sound of Barra and then overnight to arrive Village Bay in the early morning. The advantage is that it gives you a full day to spend there and land if possible, but if the conditions are not good for an overnight stay you can leave again in the evening. Much better than arriving in the late afternoon and not being able to stay overnight.

We might be out there in July or August.

 

[yotter]

Ken,
Many thanks for that. I see the logic in overnighting on passage to allow the day ashore incase it is untennable to anchor overnight. Better make sure I have plenty of crew, could be 2 overnights at sea!
Regards
Angus

 

[Angele]

You don't have to go to St Kilda for some strong wind. Ok, not hurricance force, but the 06:00 Shipping forecast said:

There are gale warnings in 30 areas.

Eeek!!

Only Trafalgar got away with a F5-F7.

 

[EdWingfield]

Me in Newcastle, boat Liverpool. Casting off early April for a slow trip N. Where is Adfern? When are you casting off?

 

[Storyline]

Funny you should ask - I have a plan for May/June

June is usually when we have our first fortnight, chosen for the long days. The last few years our arrival has been greeted by the usual "you should have been here last month, it was cracking the flags". Dates are undecided for this coming year but we are tempted by May. Maybe we could link up... I will contact our friends who are also in the lagoon (the bowman 40) and see if they are up for it too.

 

[Storyline]

It's common to go from Leverburgh or elsewhere around the Sound of Harris, but the best way is to leave Castlebay (Barra) in the afternoon, through the Sound of Barra and then overnight to arrive Village Bay in the early morning. The advantage is that it gives you a full day to spend there and land if possible, but if the conditions are not good for an overnight stay you can leave again in the evening. Much better than arriving in the late afternoon and not being able to stay overnight.

We might be out there in July or August.

Good tip, thanks I have wanted to get there for years so would probably rather wait for settled conditions so we could stay for a couple of nights.

Me in Newcastle, boat Liverpool. Casting off early April for a slow trip N. Where is Adfern? When are you casting off?

Ardfern is vaguely on the route north. If you were sailing Liverpool towards St. Kilda you would probably leave Islay to starboard but if, as you say, you are dawdling north then it is very likely you will sail past Ardfern. You could go up the Sound of Islay but then you would miss a lot on the way up. Ardfern is at the top of Loch Craignish which is just past Crinan in the Sound of Jura. Dates uncertain but May or June look favourite.

 

[penfold]

It's somewhere I'd like to visit, but it's probably the toughest bit of the british isles to get to, barring Rockall and other blasted rocks. If anyone intending to have a go next summer has room for an extra crew I'd be interested, assuming I have suitable leave.