Dinghy sailing in Scotland? Recommendations?

[NUTMEG]

The missus wants to go to Scotland for a week this summer. This means I will be away from the boat for a week:-(

I have a 14' lug rigged dinghy, a Characterboats Lune Pilot.

Can anyone recommend a Loch or whatever, with not too expensive hotel nearby that would allow me to launch the dinghy and have a potter?

Missus is also a keen birder, so a bit of wildlife might tempt her to come for a sail.

Cheers chaps

Steve

 

[Mataji]

Loch Lomond is easy to reach. The Tarbet Hotel overlooks the loch, is cheap, and has parking. It is owned by Shearings tours.

However, you can take your choice of anywhere you fancy, on the Clyde or up the west coast. Depends on what kind of sailing you want but there are literally hundreds of places suitable for a Lune Pilot.

My favourites with your boat would be -

Tayvallich - good sheltered sailing in Loch Sween, with the Fairy Isles around the corner. Loads of wildlife.
Craobh Haven or anywhere around Loch Melfort. Eagles, otters and more.

On the Clyde I'd go to Tighnabruaich, there is a boatyard with a slip at the end of the road. Sail the Kyles of Bute, perfect for pottering and probably the most beautiful part of the Clyde coast.

There will be hotels and b & bs around anywhere you care to choose. Just keep fingers crossed for good weather.

 

[NUTMEG]

Mataji, thank you for the suggestions. I will certainly look them up.

I know Loch Goil as a mate used to live there until he passed away a couple of years ago.

Any others? East coast? Give the missus a few options!

 

[jamie N]

Fortrose has a fabulous hotel, "The Anderson", with the best beers/whiskies in the world; Chanonry Sailing Club has a decent slipway, from which I doubt members would rail at one using. The wildlife part is amazing with the Dolphins and seals all around the Inverness Firth, as well as fabulous scenery around the area, including the Fairy Glen waterfalls. Probably the only downside would be the strong currents at Kessock and Chanonry point, but nothing that a small outboard would be bothered by on a 14' dinghy. As a further bonus, nae midgies here!

 

[dylanwinter]

Might I suggest the Moray Firth

drier and sunnier than the west coast

no midges

brilliant sand harbours to explore

I would put the boat in nairn marina - as cheap as chips - there are sand harbours to east and west and north

dolphin sightings almost guaranteed

great birds

astonishing beaches

D

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/blogs/h0peman-and-the-old-bar/

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/blogs/old-bar-sunshine/

http://www.keepturningleft.co.uk/blogs/little-greich-and-ospreys/

 

[NUTMEG]

Thank you chaps, dolphins and lack of midgies swung it

We know the harbour master in Avoch too. Nice bloke. Added bonus.

 

[Romeo]

Loved my Lune Pilot. Sold it to a pal. Not so great at going upwind, but that should not be a problem if you know about it before you set off!

My favourite sailing area is around Loch Melfort/ shuna/ luing/ Seil. Lovely sheltered waters and points of interest at the right sort of distance for dinghy cruising. However, struggling to think of what hotel there would meet your needs. We stay weekly self catering on a farm that has a launching spot and a sheltered all tide pontoon that you can use. http://www.obanseilfarm.com/ . No extra charge for use of the pontoon, and the couple who run the place are sailors.

The entertaining challenge there is the 10 mile or so circumnavigation Seil. I have done it three times in a lune pilot.... you would struggle to do it in anything bigger, what with getting through the drying channel and under the hump backed bridge.

Sea Eagles nearby for the Mrs, and plenty of other wildlife too.

 

[Romeo]

If it is to be freshwater, I have always fancied spending some time on Loch Awe. Ospreys there for Mrs to watch. And wow, how about this holiday house:

http://www.unique-cottages.co.uk/cottages/west-coast/argyll-isles/aa4-achnacarron-boathouse

 

[Sandgrounder]

Loved my Lune Pilot. Sold it to a pal. Not so great at going upwind, but that should not be a problem if you know about it before you set off!

My favourite sailing area is around Loch Melfort/ shuna/ luing/ Seil. Lovely sheltered waters and points of interest at the right sort of distance for dinghy cruising. However, struggling to think of what hotel there would meet your needs. We stay weekly self catering on a farm that has a launching spot and a sheltered all tide pontoon that you can use. http://www.obanseilfarm.com/ . No extra charge for use of the pontoon, and the couple who run the place are sailors.

The entertaining challenge there is the 10 mile or so circumnavigation Seil. I have done it three times in a lune pilot.... you would struggle to do it in anything bigger, what with getting through the drying channel and under the hump backed bridge.

Sea Eagles nearby for the Mrs, and plenty of other wildlife too.

You could try the Easedale Inn, used to be reasonable; mind you I've not been there for nearly 30 years!

 

[A1Sailor]

There be ospreys on Loch Sween. I mean the flying bird variety - not the dinghy, although there are probably some of these too. They are on a penisula in the Knapdale Forest, but very easily viewed from the sea:

If you go into the "drying creek" in the Fairy Isles behind the nest prepare to be dive bombed...
Nearest hotels are at Crinan and Cairnbaan, but several B&Bs and also caravans to let at Tayvallich and Castle Sween.

You've already said you don't like midges and like dolphins, though...

 

[Romeo]

You could try the Easedale Inn, used to be reasonable; mind you I've not been there for nearly 30 years!

Might be wrong, but I don't think it exists, and if it does that would put your base in the less sheltered waters to the West of Seil/ Luing, whereas ideally you want to take advantage of the shelter to the East of these long islands.