Crinnan Holiday

[Petercatterall]

Family members have booked a holiday cottage in a village at the center of the canal (Cairnbaan). (July into August)
Plan A is for me to sail our Colvic Atlanta over from our Ardrossan base and to meet up with them and do various holiday type things,sailing, cycling, lazing etc.
I plan on purchasing a months rover type pass for the canal which (I believe permits multiple journeys.
This is our first season in Scotland, I have poured over the charts and read various articles about the area but there is no substitute for first hand experience.
Can anyone help out with info about places, pubs, moorings etc near the canal and also in Loch Fyne/Sound of Jura/Loch Sween (even).
(We know about the need for oilskins and midge repellant!!)

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[fluffc]

You lucky lucky person. We shall all be envious.

See my previous post a few month's ago about midges. I used to live in Argyll, and know what the problem is like. Nuf Said.

Regarding cruising. Bear in mind that it basically takes two days to transit the Canal in a leisurely manner. Cairnbaan is on the eastern side of the highest point; so it is going to be slightly quicker to get into Loch Fyne than Crinan.

If you are based in Ardrossan, then you can basically "do" the Clyde (including Loch Fyne) at any time. Do take the opportunity to start exploring the other side of Kintyre.

Just south of Crinan is a lovely sheltered bay that I remember mooring in while waiting for the tide. Generally, anywhere you go is going to be rewarding. Bear in mind the water depths, exposure to winds and atlantic swell, and holding. There is a lot of kelp around - will ensure that you don't drag, but makes lifting the anchor in the morning interesting.

Regarding pubs on the canal. Cairnbaan has a fantastic hotel right by the canal. Other than that you are generally stuck to the pubs and hotels around Ardrishag/Lochgilphead and Crinan.

For more advice on west coast sailing, the Clyde Crusing Club do a guide - and I can't for the life of me remember the name of it. It covers all of the west coast of Scotland and is kept up to date.

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[Rowana]

Here is the link to the Clyde Crusing Club. Have fun!

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.clyde.org/>http://www.clyde.org/</A>

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[Gordonmc]

Just spent the weekend on Loch Fyne spectating at the Scottish Series Regatta. Tarbert was busy but is worth a visit at any time. During your spell there are a couple of festivals on, if seefood and traditional music are your bag.
Tarbert is wall-to wall with pubs and really good eating places. Islay Frigate, Anchorage and Victoria all good.
Further up the Loch Lochgilphead hosts a traditional boat weekend. Across the Loch Otter Ferry has some hotel moorings, but watch the spit which extends quite far from the shore. Strachur has a good pub/hotel but I can't speak about mooring/anchoring there. Its a haul to the very North end of the loch but there are some moorings down for the Loch Fyne Oyster bar at Cairndow.
On the Western side of the Mull Crinan itself has the Crinan Hotel and just South, Tayvallich which has a good sheltered anchorage. If you have a car a trip to Kilmartin is recommended. Standing stones and burial kisks littered all over the valley and there's a good interpretation centre. Dunadd Fort is fascinating with pre-Christian rock carvings.
Im starting to sound like a tourist officer, but you have chosen a good spot for a varied holiday.
And midges? A small price to pay.

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[Petercatterall]

Thanks for all the information which i will add to my holiday folder.
I think that I have seen the ClydeCC guide advertised or in the chandlers I will get a copy.
Thanks again.

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[1114C]

This maybe too late but will write anyway.............

We sailed out of Crinan last year and it was fantastic - i have lived in the area in the past but so much better by boat

Loch Sween - beautiful loch well worth a sail up = Tayvallich nice and the restaurant is actually pretty good too - you can get showers there too. If you do not fancy the sail round you can anchor in Carsaig bay and walk over but that bay is not so scenic

Craighouse in Jura is great too - hotel there where I have drank but not eaten -the bay is quite fantastic.

Loch Craignish is v pretty too with Ardfern up at the top - very scenic and good friendly marina

Worth it too to go trhough the Dorus Mor and up towards Shuna which is fantastic - many dolphons/porpoises as well.

Get the boat into Crinan above the sea lock and you will have lots of great sails out of there - I am very jealous (cannot persuade the wife to go out there again two years in a row which is a great shame!)

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[Aja]

Yo have chosen well. The canal is an ideal central spot for touring both sides of the Mull - and getting a taste of the 'real' west coast.

Have a look at this website which gives a great overview of what you can expect.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.westcoastboating.org/index.htm>Here</A>

Donald

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[Petercatterall]

Thanks Tom and Donald for the additional information. Concensus seems to suggest travel out from Crinnan side although weather conditions and crew may mean that the Loch Fyne side is better.

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[dovekie]

Sorry for the late posting of this. The advice you have had is good I think. The Clyde is gentler and busier sailing. Outside Crinan is more scenic, and only vaguely busy at weekends. I suggest the CCC guide and the largest scale admiralty charts, you'll only need a few. Outside Crinan L.Craignish going north is not dominated by tidal stream and is pretty especially the eastern side of the islands. Everywhere else is dominated by tidal stream so plan carefully and you can go miles for free. Once you get into L Sween it too is not too tidal. The ancorage in Corryvreckan is impressive. You could try Easedale, good cafe and an interesting spot. Cuan sound is interesting. PollDhorain (further north) is pretty but tends to be busy. Walk over to the hill to the pub. In quiet weather there are many anchorages not mentioned in the CCC

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