escaping at last

[dnickj]

After years of plotting and planing we are renting the house out and moving onto the boat - the jobs have been jacked in and we are off to do a 6 month tour round the UK ending up in London for next winter

we are leaving the Solent at the end of April and heading west then up the Irish sea to spend a month or more in Western Isles of Scotland before heading East and down the North sea

we are in the process of finalizing the plan and would be grateful if any one has any recommendations of where or where not to go - Thanks Nick

 

[jonrarit]

Sounds brilliant Nick.....I'm jealous as still at the planning stage.

Having sailed the West Coast of Scotland all my life I'd say when you get to Cape Wrath ...turn round and come back down again. The West Coast has soooo much more to offer in terms of scenery & you can easily spend six months exploring without seeing it all.

Too many to mention but these are all high on my list

Loch Scavaig (watch out for the rock)
Loch Ewe
Loch Torridon
Loch Duich
Loch Moidart
Port Appin
Tobermory
Puilladobhrain

I highly recommend Clyde Cruising Club sailing directions in addition to www.antarescharts.co.uk

...... and good wet weather gear

JR

 

[boatmike]

After years of plotting and planing we are renting the house out and moving onto the boat - the jobs have been jacked in and we are off to do a 6 month tour round the UK ending up in London for next winter

we are leaving the Solent at the end of April and heading west then up the Irish sea to spend a month or more in Western Isles of Scotland before heading East and down the North sea

we are in the process of finalizing the plan and would be grateful if any one has any recommendations of where or where not to go - Thanks Nick

Hi Nick, We set out on the trip that you are planning in 2012. Hit gales in Ireland and never made it all the way but I have surplus charts and pilots you might like. If you are Solent based and near Lee on Solent we could meet to discuss our experiences over a pint if so inclined.
Can't remember what charts I have but the following pilots will never be required anymore as we are heading for the Med this year,
I have
East and North coasts of Ireland (Irish Cruising Club)
Clyde to Colonsay (Imray)
The Isle of Mull and adjacent coasts (Imray)
and the RNYC sailing directions for Humber to Rattray head.
all are in as new condition and half price if you want them.
PM if interested
Mike

 

[tcm]

My suggestion for long=term cruisers is to rob a bank, or any other suitable valuables. Not only will this fund your trip and all the repairs it ALSO encourages you to go as far as possible ASAP

 

[syneraida]

My suggestion for long=term cruisers is to rob a bank, or any other suitable valuables. Not only will this fund your trip and all the repairs it ALSO encourages you to go as far as possible ASAP

+1 for the rob a bank idea.

If you're near try Skye, its lovely and the people are brilliant!

 

[nickd]

Definitely recommend a night in Howth just North of Dublin

 

[Kelpie]

+1 for the rob a bank idea.

If you're near try Skye, its lovely and the people are brilliant!

Why, thank you.

 

[siwhi]

Besides the quality of the scenery and the sailing on the west coast of Scotland, I think it's worth also noting the quantity of it too, which is not always evident when glancing at a planning chart. Highlands as an area has 4905 km of coastline, Argyll has 3723 km, and the Western Isles 3716 km, all of which are longer coast lines for these council districts individually than all of France (3427 km). It's true that for lochs and islands there's always an element of double counting due to having 2 coasts (one on either side), but it's still an impressive total. (Thanks wikipedia).

So, having sailed many coasts of the UK (but not all), I'm with Jonrarit, I would emphasise the west of Scotland and allocate time by using some gauge of quantity and quality. Which is what you seem to be doing anyway. As he said get hold of Antares Charts and CCC directions as they will be the best guides to great spots. I am bias as I live here (by choice, not inertia).

That said the serious downside is the weather, which last summer at least, was awful.

 

[AndrewB]

So, having sailed many coasts of the UK (but not all), I'm with Jonrarit, I would emphasise the west of Scotland and allocate time by using some gauge of quantity and quality. Which is what you seem to be doing anyway.

+1. Do include the Orkneys and Shetlands. We had a great welcome at Scalloway, would love to go back.

Congratulations and best of luck.