Boating inf Scotland

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eddieperkins

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It looks like my job will be taking me form Norfolk to Aberdeen. I have a Sealine 30 based on the Broads which is up for sale as I wanted to move on to a Dutch Steel cruiser but now I am wondering a, which would be the best bet for boating in Scotland, B, what cruising options will I have and C, what areas to look at. It is all slightly complicated by the fact that my better half does not like going to sea (I do though!!) so a sheltered / inland base is preferred. I am aware of the Caledonian Canal but not in detail. What else is up there??
 
Forget Aberdeen, it's a beautiful city but has only one short berth for yachts, best saved fpor emergencies.
Peterhead has a smashing little marina, Peterhead bay.

Sailing North you can easily reach Whitehaven, a brilliant little marina, truly friendly. Then a short hop to Lossiemouth and into Inverness. The Caledonian is spectacular.

Going South from Peterhead there are several but some fine cruising will be found in the Firth of Forth.

You will have a great time.
 
Agree with the above - however if you are looking for a berth best get cracking there are big waiting lists in pretty much every marina/harbour. I believe there is a new marina being built at Inverness that may still have availability

rob
 
Caladonian canal is great and at the southern end opens up onto a huge area of sea lochs and sea sounds sheltered by islands. Your wife never need to feel exposed to open sea and you can go somewhere different every day for weeks.
The other plusses
Nearly all other boaters regardless of sail or motor are very friendly.
The waters are never busy and very interesting coastline.
Moorings, marinas, anchorages are plentifull.
Minusses
It rains a lot - like every other day
Getting mechanical repairs done is slow and hard work.
Regards mikej
 
More extensive reply:

Peterhead should have a space for a 30 something footer ... may be in a temporary space to start ... HM may say full, but I have never seen it "really" full.

Peterhead bay is OK for a test run in the spring, but onece left you are in the North Sea... with its joys and tempers.. Interesting cruising dow South to Collieston with south-east facing cliff formed of granite, quartzite and other rocks running to the south of Peterhead, interrupted only by the sandy beach of Cruden Bay. The low, broken cliffs (generally less than 50 m high) show many erosion features such as stacks, arches, caves and blowholes. The varied coastal vegetation on the ledges and cliff tops makes some very interesting geographical features with caves, ledges and includes maritime heath, grassland and brackish flushes. The site is of importance as a nesting area for a number of seabird species (gulls and auks). Further down past Aberden we have similar coastline towards Stonehaven etc.

Northwards you have open beaches to Rattray Head, round the Corner and good scenery after Roseharty up past Pennan into Whitehills and further into the Morray Firth ... really Dolphin watching teretory....and in towards Inverness. Good marinas are Peterhead, Whitehills, Lossiemouth (New one in Banff, but some issues with breakwater). Inverness is about 2.5 hr drive and new extended marina that is being built have good access to sea.

For sea access I'd keep the Sealine as the speed is good to have to outrun the weather, which may change quite fast.

If you want the canal,then you are 2.5hrs away from your boat irrespective, but can pick up cheap moorings at East Dochgarroch (one lock away from Loch Ness) in the Caledonian Canal. If you want canal cruising, I'd go for the steel boat.

Caledonian Canal is very scenic indeed, but remember that the NW coast of Scotland and probably some of the most spectacular cruising area in the UK is just a short hop away...

Of course, you also have the NW part of the Morray Firth and up to Orkneys ... which are journeys worth thinking about for life experiences...

No clear answer really, but something to think about.... We'd welcome you irrespective... /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
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