crinan canal etc.

[derekh]

I am hoping to plan a Summer trip to incluce Crinan Canal, Jura, Islay,Campbeltown and any other port of intrest in that locality. Me, the wife and 4 Kids intend to spend about a week before returning to our home port near Coleraine. I would love to hear any recomendations regarding good sites to visit and places the kids would like. I have read the books but it's hard to beat experience.
Have a great new year.

 

[fluffc]

Summer in the west of scotland - we all envy you!

Depending which part of the summer you go, depends on how bad the Midges are (tiny little irritating insects that really annoy). If you go early summer, then not a problem. Late summer is worse. If you do end up there in the midge season, then explore the smaller islands and avoid the mainland - for the wind keeps them away from many of the islands.

I don't know much of what's south of Crinan; have only really done Crinan northwoods. However - there is a lovely little bay (north west facing) just south of Crinan. We waited there for the tide once. Do visit places where there are people - the locals are very friendly, hospitable and knowledgeable.

Beware of anchoring, as there are some very bad patches of Kelp around on the sea bed; and its' surprisingly hard to cut off an anchor if you manage to pull some up. Better to be safe and use a tripping line.

Oh; on the Crinan canal itself there is a marvelous Inn at Cairnbaan - do stop and visit it; they serve fantastic tea.

When I last visited the canal (several years ago), both Ardrishaig and Crinan were very much working harbours. You ran the risk of being woken up by fishing boats coming in and out. If you want a quiet night, then suggest you avoid these areas. Having said which, Crinan is a charming nautical village - there are a couple of boat builders there, and plenty is going on.

If you do have time to spare, why not travel up Loch Fyne. Very few yachts ever venture up it. It is easy sailing, and would thoroughly recommend a visit to Inverary; where they have several touristy things to do. There's a Jail and a Castle, both open to the public. Note that if you do go up Loch Fyne, be sure that you charts are up to date, as they occasionally change the navigational lighting arrangements. There are several small bays that you can safely drop anchor in.

 

[halcyon]

If your going north of Crinan, theres a nice little marina at Ardfern, top end of Loch Graignish. Little further north you have Craobh Haven Marina/village, and then Loch Melfort, and one of the forum members.
Lovely cruising ground, but then the locals will tell you more when they come to life.

Brian

 

[Bejasus]

Two places to visit given a chance are Iona where there is a historic abbey where all the Scottish Kings were buried, up to & including MacBeth. Safe shallow beaches, crystal clear water & pure white sand & then an hours hop to Staffa & Fingals cave which really is the northern end of the Giants Causway with the same rock formations & a great place to picnic on top of the cliffs if the weather is fine. As previously mentioned, on late summer evenings, especially if they are warm & humid, the Scottish midge can be absolutely fearsome & ruin anyones holiday. Use proprietry creams, sprays etc.

 

[nordic_ranger]

Worth coming slightly further up the Clyde to visit Rothsey Isle of Bute which has welcomeing visitor pontoon berths with power and water at a very reasonable overnight rate. Lovely island with lots to do for both the young and old a like. Mount Stuart House, The Fernary, Rothsey Castle, Museum. Rothsay is a nice little town with good shops,resturants and pubs. I would recomend the Black Bull at the harbour side good food at very reasonable prices.

 

[jfm]

Nick Robinson, poster heareabouts is the expert on all this area. Check earlier thread ("report from Belfast" in the title) for his email, he's a mine of info.

I'm doing that trip next weekend. My brother just bort a boat in Coleraine (Silver Dee, a 52 footer, navy hull, you might know it?) and it will be berthed at Kip Marina on the Clyde at first, then Dunstaffanage. We are doing the delivery trip Coleraine to Kip this weekend or the next, depending weather

 

[fluffc]

Some practical advice on midges.

Midges are tiny little insects. Under a microscope, they are half-claw. Some (very few) are allergic to midge bites - symptoms are the same as wasp/bee stings if alergic.

Midges like warm, still evenings. If it is at all cold, or there is a breeze blowing; then you won't have any problems. They seem to nest in undergrowth and hedges; but noone is exactly sure. Oh, they only live for 24hrs as well.

One important trait to note of midges, is that they are canibals. If you start swatting them when they land on you, then more are attracted by the smell. So don't be tempted to swot them. There are millions in a swarm, so your efforts are quite fruitless anyway.

There are three ways of taming the midge. (1) Repellents (2) Nets (3) Smoke (4) Conceed defeat.

(1) There are many repellents that you can get. Very few are actually effective against the Scottish Midge. The most common lotion is "Shoo", which is available locally. The most important thing with the repllents are that you put them on BEFORE exposure to midges. Note the above comments regarding canibalism. Midges will ignore repellent if you start swating them!

(2) A local company in Argyll have developed Midge nets. These are the same principle as a bee keepers net, but the mesh is of a much much smaller size, so that the midges can't get through. The local lumberjacks use these with great effect. Bug warning though - don't get midges trapped inside them!

(3) Another effective repellent is cigarette smoke. Not good for your own health, but it does keep them away. Similarly, a smokey fire. You can also get burning smoke repellents - the look like a green coil; you light the end of it and it smoulders away.

(4) Don't be afraid to conceed defeat to the midge. The locals do.

 

[derekh]

Congrats on Buying Silver Dee and thanks to you and all others for info on Crinan.
My boat is normally moored one mile north of where you will be sailing Silver Dee from. (Dry Dock at present). Have a nice trip to Kip and dont forget to call at Rathlin when passing for a pint of black gold. I have cruised these North coast of Ireland waters for several years but only last year threw away my old petrol v8's and installed a pair of diesels. I can now afford to visit more distant pastures in the knowledge that I can get home without running out of fuel of blowing up somewhere in the Irish Sea.

 

[whisper]

BEST BAR MEAL THAT WE HAVE EVER HAD was at Crinan Hotel adjacent to the sea lock. Restaurant is expensive but has fantastic views - bar more reasonably priced and grub superb, especially sea-food.

Oban & Tobermory are also worth visiting. There's more for the kids to do in Oban than anywhere else on the W.Coast , I think.

 

[Duster]

Hope you have as much pleasure as we do . We have been going for20+ years , now spend a month there each summer . Gigha is well worth a visit - The McCorrmick Islands (uninhabited but a good mooring) are an excellant stopover . Tayvallich is well worth a visit very sheltered,good mooring / anchorage -good shop resteraunt/pub,water available but no fuel. I type slowly!! so if I can help further please feel free to phone 07836 784243 work hours.

Regards Mike

 

[sjnewport]

Trailed boat to that area last summer from Bristol.
Launched at Kip Marina and explored Kyles of Bute and Crinan canal ,Largs etc.
Agree with post on Bute had a couple of stops there.Also visited Largs,nice town and marina.
Ventured onto Crinan for 4 days in rain and force 8 gale so not really got anything good to say about Crinan Canal !!!
Met the most midges there as well and husband smoking and BBQ did not deter the little mites.
Scottish people so friendly,we found both motor boaters and yachties very chatty,got ourselves invited to regatta in east Loch Tarbert and made to feel really welcome.
Stunning scenery especially if the weathers good.
Read the Waypoint winners entry in future editions of Motorboat Monthly as he went along Forth and Clyde Canal,in Falkirk Wheel into the Clyde through the Crinan and then through the Caledonian.Some of the areas you are planning to visit.
Have inside info as went to winners presentation yesterday at boat show as won first prize in photographic comp with picture of our boat in Kyles of Bute on a very sunny day !!!

 

[hlb]

Funny thing is. I've never had any trouble with midges in Late July or August. Look out for the Cowboy festival at Millport on Great Cumbrie. The Crinan and Tobormoray are a must but the Crinan is bloody hard work!!

<font color=blue> Haydn