Favourite anchorages in the Sound of Harris

[jdc]

We hope to be passing through the Sound of Harris later this month, bound W and N. There seem to be myriad possibilities for anchorages to chose from so we are spoilt for choice. We tend to like scenery, wildlife and solitude, so I was wondering about the Cabbage group or just E of Groay, but maybe there are other gems even better?

 

[DaveS]

We hope to be passing through the Sound of Harris later this month, bound W and N. There seem to be myriad possibilities for anchorages to chose from so we are spoilt for choice. We tend to like scenery, wildlife and solitude, so I was wondering about the Cabbage group or just E of Groay, but maybe there are other gems even better?

Bagh Chaise, W of Groatay has supposedly the best holding in the area and is a useful bolt hole if things get rough. I have anchored to the W of Hermetray for a short period to "do" the island, but I think it would be OK for overnight in an E'ly. Similarly to the S of Tahay, maybe OK in calm or light N'ly. Similarly NE of Kilegray House on Kiligray, might be OK in a SW'ly and NE of Ensay House on Ensay, might be OK in SW'ly but, unusually for Hebridean anchorages, subject to tidal current. If prepared to accept less solitude for one night then I would recommend Rodel. Entry above half tide and 3 VBs, good hotel and very interesting church with lots of medieval carvings and a great view from the tower. Lots more listed in sailing directions and H H-S, but no personal knowledge.

You might get a fuller answer on here: http://www.bluemoment.com/forum/index.php

 

[rbmatthews]

We were in Rodel a fortnight ago - very pleasant, only one other boat there the whole time, and good food at the hotel. The church is definitely worth a visit. Sound of Harris offers some good rock dodging if you enjoy that. Berneray has a sheltered harbour in a bay sheltered from N and W, but probably not secluded enough for what you want. Also lots of rocks and reefs to negotiate to get in.

Several beautiful quiet anchorages further up in Loch Roag if you are going in that direction.

As DaveS says, best to get hold of the CCC Sailing Directions for the Outer Hebrides - loads of information in there.

R.

 

[NormanS]

To be honest, there are so many possibilities for anchoring in the Sound of Harris...... Have you got the large scale chart?, which is now aligned N.S. The Cabbage group is just a wide open area, and although marked on the chart as an anchorage, I don't think that they mean for small yachts. Your choice of anchorages is limited only by the weather, your sense of adventure, your aptitude for rock-dodging, and your imagination. One of my favourites for solitude, would be the Opsay Basin, but there are dozens of other candidates.

 

[jdc]

Thank you all for responding and for such good suggestions.

I certainly do have an appetite for rock dodging (fortunately so far only occasionally not-quite-dodging), and we do have detailed charts so it's clearly somewhere which warrants a thorough exploration. But unfortunately this time we're just passing through.

I did wonder about the Cabbage group; clearly at low water it would be quite snug and could be dramatic at HW. Many thanks again.

 

[A1Sailor]

Some pictures of the entrance to Rodel from a few years ago.
View attachment 43801View attachment 43802

 

[iain789]

I can confirm that the "passing place" sign was still there last year!

 

[Sandy]

Love the passing place sign.

 

[rbmatthews]

I can confirm that the "passing place" sign was still there last year!

Unfortunately, it wasn't when we were there a fortnight ago.



R.

 

[iain789]

That's a shame - probably a victim of last winter's storms.

 

[A1Sailor]

Robin,
Your picture on your website which I have copied/posted below, hope OK, shows the entrance to Loch Rodel rather well. Remember your wellies - and your tide tables!

 

[rbmatthews]

No problem, A1.

The pic was 30 min before LW, springs were two days earlier, so could perhaps get a little bit lower yet. We didn't even need wellies.

There were also a family of otters just off to the right.

R.