Clyde cruise plan for next week

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tyce

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Hi,

I am heading up to the Clyde next week for about 10 days with wife and two teenagers. I am coming up from Fleetwood so am going to do the long hit my self and they are travelling up by train to do the fun bits.
Weather is looking very good at the moment so question is if you had 10 days to a week where would you recommend as the best places to visit in the Clyde. Don't really want to push up through Crinan as time is tight and family are fair weather sailors so bumble around the Clyde before heading back south is the plan.

Any recommendations of great anchorages etc would be much appreciated.
 
You will have no problem finding places to go . what size of boat are we talking about? A lot will depend how much time you want to spend off the boat and what facilities you are looking for .
Where are you meeting up with family several of the Marinas ardrossan troon Kip James watt and largs have nearby train stations and of course whilst Glasgow is on the river it’s a long way up
You could try something like largs lamlash Campbelltown Lochranza Tarbert / Portavadie (best showers) lochgair/otters ferry but wouldn’t go further up lochfyne Kames colintraive Holy loch lochgoilhead as a nice round trip with a mixture of marinas and anchorages but all depends on the weather and wind directions
Worth (no essential)getting CCC directions and the much criticised Welcome Anchorages FOC is also useful you can download it
Don’t forget the sun cream and midge repellent
 
scottie said:
... Worth (no essential)getting CCC directions and the much criticised Welcome Anchorages FOC is also useful you can download it ...
Click to expand...
Agree about the CCC pilots, well worth purchasing as it has all the info you need.

As to Welcome Anchorages, it is not worth the cost. Used to be great but is now more inaccurate than accurate. Shame as it could be so good again.

As to places, The Kyles of Bute in particular, Burnt Island anchorage, Caladh if there is space but possibly moorings in the way, Kane’s Hotel has moorings and good food, Colintraive has moorings but the restaurant was not as good as its reputation. Portavadie to pamper the family with spa etc. Are a few of my old favourites when on the Clyde.
 
The weather is looking shit next week. Strong winds and a cold front on Monday with a possibility of a secondary depression. Watch the weather very carefully.
 
Thanks for the suggestions very helpful and sounds like I have a rough plan to follow. Boat is 35ft AWB so up for most things.
Ah the weather, got up this morning and checked and its all changed, will keep an eye on it.
 
If They are going by train I'd pick them up at Ardrossan (Clyde Marina). The train stop is about 150m from the marina. There's an ASDA 150m from the marina for provisioning. From there I'd head for Arran, brodick or Lamlash. There's distilleries to visit at lochranza or the new one that's just opened at Lagg. Climb Goatfel if the weather is good. Head for Cambeltown sail up Kilbranan sound to Lochranza, Tarbert and/or Portavadie. Sail round the Kyles of Bute There's mooring at Kames or Colintraive, Visit Rothesay, Largs, Millport. If you are heading south with family Portpatrick would be a good stopover.
 
Last edited:
Thanks for your help everyone and kind offer of charts. Got the charts earlier in the year whilst planning but thanks anyway most kind.
Got the itinerary, got the boat just need weather to get back on track.
 
Whilst meeting up in Ardrossan may be practical, I suspect meeting up at Largs could be a prettier introduction to the Clyde - provided luggage is wheely bag type to do the scenic promenade walk from the station.
Also well placed to find short sheltered sails in a few directions for first trip if weather is mixed.
 
dunedin said:
Whilst meeting up in Ardrossan may be practical, I suspect meeting up at Largs could be a prettier introduction to the Clyde - provided luggage is wheely bag type to do the scenic promenade walk from the station.
Also well placed to find short sheltered sails in a few directions for first trip if weather is mixed.
Click to expand...
A taxi would be better.
 
dunedin said:
Whilst meeting up in Ardrossan may be practical, I suspect meeting up at Largs could be a prettier introduction to the Clyde..........
Click to expand...

Very good advice!

I walked the pathway from Largs marina to town a couple of days ago. The weather was good and it took 35 minutes. Very pleasant walk. Otherwise, there’ll be a taxi waiting outside the rail station.

The only down side to Largs is that it is a fairly expensive marina but the staff are very welcoming.

Not meaning to be disrespectful to the good people of Ardrossan but, other than the proximity of the train and supermarket, it has nothing to commend it, sadly. I was last there in May.

Arran is a must visit Island but you’ll need to anchor or pick up a buoy. Well worth a whisky distillery visit at Lochranza. I’ve read that their new facility, south on the island, is now open, too so worth exploring.

Rothesay will keep the family entertained. The marina berthing manager is friendly and helpful. Very reasonable berthing costs, too.

Kyles of Bute give breathtaking views. Anchor in Caladh harbour, if you’re lucky, or nearby Wreck Bay.

I haven’t been to Portavardie for a while; ELT has more to offer in the town. ELT has a brand new shower block, very nice.

If you get to ELT or Portavardie it’s worth the extra 10m north to have a long lunch stop at the shoreside pub in Otterferry.

Millport, Cumbrae, is a nice Anchorage and mooring if the wind is being kind.

After many years in north Wales, I’m really enjoying cruising the Clyde. Easy waters, warm, friendly and welcoming locals, stunning scenery and 4 seasons every day!
 
davidjackson said:
Very good advice!

I walked the pathway from Largs marina to town a couple of days ago. The weather was good and it took 35 minutes. Very pleasant walk. Otherwise, there’ll be a taxi waiting outside the rail station.

The only down side to Largs is that it is a fairly expensive marina but the staff are very welcoming.

Not meaning to be disrespectful to the good people of Ardrossan but, other than the proximity of the train and supermarket, it has nothing to commend it, sadly. I was last there in May.

Arran is a must visit Island but you’ll need to anchor or pick up a buoy. Well worth a whisky distillery visit at Lochranza. I’ve read that their new facility, south on the island, is now open, too so worth exploring.

Rothesay will keep the family entertained. The marina berthing manager is friendly and helpful. Very reasonable berthing costs, too.

Kyles of Bute give breathtaking views. Anchor in Caladh harbour, if you’re lucky, or nearby Wreck Bay.

I haven’t been to Portavardie for a while; ELT has more to offer in the town. ELT has a brand new shower block, very nice.

If you get to ELT or Portavardie it’s worth the extra 10m north to have a long lunch stop at the shoreside pub in Otterferry.

Millport, Cumbrae, is a nice Anchorage and mooring if the wind is being kind.

After many years in north Wales, I’m really enjoying cruising the Clyde. Easy waters, warm, friendly and welcoming locals, stunning scenery and 4 seasons every day!
Click to expand...

Best phone and check that otters ferry restaurant is open first !
 
It's open but very busy. We tried to book last Saturday but fully booked. The pasta on board was quite nice.
Donald
 
Thanks again for your help, its the very reason I have been using this site for 15 years, a very rich seam of knowledge.
Im all for discovering new places my self but when teenagers are on board a little extra help goes along way to keep everyone happy.
Setting of Tuesday wed so looking like weather may be ok.
 
If you are in Rothesay it's worth stopping a day and taking a short bus trip down to Mount Stuart - it's a gorgeous house and is a really interesting day out. The gardens are lovely too.
If you head up to Rhu it is worth getting a taxi to Hill House if you are interested in the works of Charles Rennie Macintosh.
 
dunedin said:
Whilst meeting up in Ardrossan may be practical, I suspect meeting up at Largs could be a prettier introduction to the Clyde - provided luggage is wheely bag type to do the scenic promenade walk from the station.
Also well placed to find short sheltered sails in a few directions for first trip if weather is mixed.
Click to expand...
I get what you are saying about Ardrossan but it's way too far to walk with bags or luggage from Largs train station to the marina. I still think Ardrossan would be better for a pick up and visit Largs and do the walk to town later in the week.
 
PeteCooper said:
If you are in Rothesay it's worth stopping a day and taking a short bus trip down to Mount Stuart - it's a gorgeous house and is a really interesting day out. The gardens are lovely too.
If you head up to Rhu it is worth getting a taxi to Hill House if you are interested in the works of Charles Rennie Macintosh.
Click to expand...
Good point about https://www.mountstuart.com/
 
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