lpdsn
Well-Known Member
To be honest, it doesn't look like much of an improvement. With the old pontoon you could at least find somewhere to raft. It looks like this is replacing that with short fingers pontoons and shallow berths.
Campbeltown Update
- Thread starter Jonas
- Start date
To be honest, it doesn't look like much of an improvement. With the old pontoon you could at least find somewhere to raft. It looks like this is replacing that with short fingers pontoons and shallow berths.
Gordonmc
Well-Known Member
There seems to be a bit much undeserved negativity about both Campbeltown and the efforts being made to improve facilities.
I actually like the place.
It reminds me of how small towns used to be, not with high streets full of pound-shops and phone emporia, but with interesting owner-run outlets. There is, or was, a chandler and ironmonger on Cross Street and you don't see many of those in comparable sized towns elsewhere.
For visitors there's enough to see and do in the town and around with a bit of research beforehand. to fill a few stormbound days.
Yes, I have been in during a bad spell of weather when the world was looking driech, Campbeltown no exception, but the welcome in the Commercial and the Flowers was warm enough.
The old pontoon was time-worn and the replacement looks good, particularly if dredging maintains decent depth. The only real complaint about the only showers available involving a trudge round to the Aqualibrium look like being resolved with the old quay development.
I actually like the place.
It reminds me of how small towns used to be, not with high streets full of pound-shops and phone emporia, but with interesting owner-run outlets. There is, or was, a chandler and ironmonger on Cross Street and you don't see many of those in comparable sized towns elsewhere.
For visitors there's enough to see and do in the town and around with a bit of research beforehand. to fill a few stormbound days.
Yes, I have been in during a bad spell of weather when the world was looking driech, Campbeltown no exception, but the welcome in the Commercial and the Flowers was warm enough.
The old pontoon was time-worn and the replacement looks good, particularly if dredging maintains decent depth. The only real complaint about the only showers available involving a trudge round to the Aqualibrium look like being resolved with the old quay development.
dgadee
Well-Known Member
The pontoon is pretty new and like others I am not sure how much extra space will be available with the revisions. Not only getting a shower was a hassle - going up the back alley across to the street to a not very pleasant public toilet wasn't a task to be looked forward to.
I was there in the 80s in lashing rain (and the memory of dreariness lasted all those decades) and wasn't back until recently when the sun was shining (and each recent visit has had this). Two different towns.
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
My memories of Campbeltown are coloured by spending several days there on the 80s, on board a 21' boat, waiting for the weather to abate for trip round to Gigha. I've been there for work as well, and actually it isn't too bad. There are many worse places.
Talking of which, one place I cannot stand is Tobermory. Yeugh. Don't know why, but I have never liked it.
lpdsn
Well-Known Member
Hi Jonas, do you have any contact details for the club.? I picked up a mooring last night and rang the number on the tag four times but no reply. Thought I'd find something on the web when I got home, but it's the same number.
For everyone else, the Campbeltown pontoons aren't available yet. Even the old one has a 'no mooring' sign on it.
Sandgrounder
Well-Known Member
I'd agree. I spent a few wet/wild days there in the early 80's and it seemed dismal. Returned a few times in the early 00's, in the sun, and it was lovely. It's an interesting town.
Jonas
Well-Known Member
Ipdsn
The club don't have the facility to take payments, it's done through the Royal Hotel. Surprised to hear there was no answer as the reception is open 24 hours - perhaps a line fault or something, number is definitely correct.
Update of sorts, a new operator has been appointed and we're expecting the pontoons to be open 'soon'. It was meant to be by the end of the month, but we'll see.
The club don't have the facility to take payments, it's done through the Royal Hotel. Surprised to hear there was no answer as the reception is open 24 hours - perhaps a line fault or something, number is definitely correct.
Update of sorts, a new operator has been appointed and we're expecting the pontoons to be open 'soon'. It was meant to be by the end of the month, but we'll see.
lpdsn
Well-Known Member
Thanks. I'll give them another try this evening.
I'll probably not head back up that way till August, so hopefully new pontoons will be open then.
Bodach na mara
Well-Known Member
B****y stupid time to start building a new mooring system! Just before the sailing season!
Like Gordonmac, I actually like the town. I have been going there since 1946, usually on wet days as on dry ones we would be on the beach at Carradale. We took our family there too on wet days and they particularly liked the toy shops. Now for depressing, you need to visit Ardrishaig. Half of the town has been pulled down and what remains is modern rubbish and old slum. Even 30 years ago, I seem to remember that the main street had buildings on both sides. A place to pass through. As fast as possible.
Like Gordonmac, I actually like the town. I have been going there since 1946, usually on wet days as on dry ones we would be on the beach at Carradale. We took our family there too on wet days and they particularly liked the toy shops. Now for depressing, you need to visit Ardrishaig. Half of the town has been pulled down and what remains is modern rubbish and old slum. Even 30 years ago, I seem to remember that the main street had buildings on both sides. A place to pass through. As fast as possible.
RIBW
Well-Known Member
Who cares what C'town looks like because ..... it had an amazingly good, early morning bacon butty shop last time I was there!
Cheers
Bob
Cheers
Bob
Niander
Well-Known Member
Your joking! try living on a @@@@ housing estate and you'd think they were lovely places!
markhomer
Well-Known Member
Think you will find most folk love Tobermory , only prob is leaving 
Cambletown has changed beyond all recognition , i too was severely put off in eighties and vowed never to return , however once i heard pontoon had been placed few years ago , i thought it worth a try , town has been transformed , and i have revisted and enjoyed it , admittedly high police presence circling the sea front area ,helped and the new buildings look good too , pool is handy for wash ,
Ive learnt however never radio in , they always tell you to go away , despite plenty room , once your committed to going in where else could you go anyway ,
Look forward to checking out in summer
Cambletown has changed beyond all recognition , i too was severely put off in eighties and vowed never to return , however once i heard pontoon had been placed few years ago , i thought it worth a try , town has been transformed , and i have revisted and enjoyed it , admittedly high police presence circling the sea front area ,helped and the new buildings look good too , pool is handy for wash ,
Ive learnt however never radio in , they always tell you to go away , despite plenty room , once your committed to going in where else could you go anyway ,
Look forward to checking out in summer
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lpdsn
Well-Known Member
They have radio?!?
Niander
Well-Known Member
I lived in Campbeltown... nice place police presence not needed good area... Not Bonhill housing estate near Glasgow ...Police scared to go there! [Other similar bad housing estates exist all over the UK and to be avoided at all costs!] .
I escaped from there a few years ago to Campbeltown no joke ...It was wonderful!
I escaped from there a few years ago to Campbeltown no joke ...It was wonderful!
pagoda
Well-Known Member
Think you will find most folk love Tobermory , only prob is leaving
Cambletown has changed beyond all recognition , i too was severely put off in eighties and vowed never to return , however once i heard pontoon had been placed few years ago , i thought it worth a try , town has been transformed , and i have revisted and enjoyed it , admittedly high police presence circling the sea front area ,helped and the new buildings look good too , pool is handy for wash ,
Ive learnt however never radio in , they always tell you to go away , despite plenty room , once your committed to going in where else could you go anyway ,
Look forward to checking out in summer
Campbeltown , much maligned, but not a bad place to go in.
expect to raft up, you might be pleasantly surprised?
Try the Indian Restaurant- prices modest , food OK !
kyleview
Well-Known Member
In again last Friday night and anchored in 8m just inside the last of the moored sailing club yachts. Excellent holding and away from the noisy fishing boats and gulls. Don't go in much nearer as there is a drying shelf coming out some way, also with 40m of chain you can swing pretty close in a S wind.
We always anchor here to keep away from the noise. The new pontoons look good, unfortunately now the home for 1000's of seagulls - they are going to need some cleaning on opening next week.
We always anchor here to keep away from the noise. The new pontoons look good, unfortunately now the home for 1000's of seagulls - they are going to need some cleaning on opening next week.
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
Spend a couple of months in a refugee camp and you're be begging to live in a scheme. 'Tis all relative.
mainsail1
Well-Known Member
Is Bonhill really that bad now?
markhomer
Well-Known Member
must have phoned ,
usually phone before radio anyway , point is dont at the toon as usual response has been fek orf !
second the india restaurant on front next to cinema , and you can take your own swally , wash in swimming pool
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markhomer
Well-Known Member
bonhill , wouldnt leave my boat there bit o a struggle as name gives a clue to location , ps in dumbarton , home of sandbank marina ( loose description )
bit o a struggle as name gives a clue to location , ps in dumbarton , home of sandbank marina ( loose description )
