Heading to the Cylde next week.

AndCur

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Hi Folks

Am planning on heading for a weeks cruise in the Clyde next week weather permitting and would welcome any suddjestions of were to vist, eat etc.

As always thanks for the replies.

Andrew
 

captainforbes

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Coming from Bangor? First stop Campbeltown/Lamlash, then Lochranza/Kyles of Bute. You must look up the beautiful Kyles of Bute (particulrly at the "Burnt Isles". Loch Fyne will keep you occupied for a while (fleshpots of Tarbert, and many small anchorages). Avoid the Troon/Largs /Inverkip if you can help it.......... marinas are marinas anywhere, beautiful bays are idyllic. Despite the Scottish tourist board stuff, I'd not hold out any great hope of eating well, but try the pub lunches in Lamalash, Tarbert and if you want to splash out, the Stonefield Castle just N of Tarbert is to be recommended but take a big credit card.

I'm out (racing) on wed eve, but if you want to bounce anything off me, send a direct email to me at captain@ufcnet.net . I'm based at Rhu (Clyde) and have sailed the Clyde and Western Isles all my life
 

PeteCooper

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I wouldn't bother with Campbeltown. Girvan is nice, and Burnt Isles in the Kyles are wonderful. Rothesay is worth a visit. If you are looking for free pontoon moorings then Cumbraes Water Sports Centre have a free pontoon which gives surprosingly sheltered moorings in most conditions. Fairlie Quay is also free but it is a walk to anywhere decent. The Holy Loch marina is nice, and up Loch Long is Ardentinny which in good weather is super for lunch. I am based in Kip Marina - pm me.
 

Gordonmc

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The Isle of Sanda is maybe a bit close to home, but is worth a lunch stop at the pub, if only to wonder at the cost of a pint. If making the short crossing, Portpatrick is always good value.
Campbeltown is run down these days... best carry on to Lamlash where the local sailing club put down visitor moorings a few years ago (£10). Two good pubs for food are the Pier Head and the Drift... both close to the shore. You can land the dinghy in the Drift garden.
Brodick is busy but there are four (or five) old HIDB free visitor moorings and reasonable holding. The wash from the ferry can be sharp. Girvan is Ok. watch out for the clay bar at the harbour entrance.
Ayr is a no-no. Troon Marina is busy with a new restaurant. Be prepared to wait up to an hour for a table. McCallum's oyster bar next to the old commercial harbour has a nicer pace, within walking distance.
Nowhere to eat in the immediate vicinity of Clyde Marina, Ardrossan. Largs Marina is busy, but the town's in walkiing distance. Kilchattan bay is a close alternative with holding and some moorings. Rothesay visitor pontoons are tight, but in the middle of town. Taxi ride to Bannatyne Bay and the Russian pub is an experience not for the faint hearted.
Pub moorings at Colintraive at the North Bute ferry crossing. The Inn is good but seems to be either very busy or has stopped food. No close alternative. Through the Burnt Islands into West Kyle and Tignabruich. The hotels used to have a good reputation but are getting mixed reports. Loch Fyne is blessed with Tarbert which has excellent hotels and food-pubs. The Victoria is closest to the visitor pontoon. A walk to the Columba is worthwhile.
Further up the loch on the East shore and Otter Ferry has the Oystercatcher with four visitor moorings. If you are up for a real haul Cairnbaan at the top of the loch has the Oyster Bar which is where the national chain of restaurants started from. There are visitor moorings.
Ill let others give opinions on spots further East such as Kip, Holy Loch, Rhu etc.
 

starboard

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Same info as I gave you last year!! I am an anchor man so my favourites...Sanda well worth a visit then the Kilbrennan sound, I love Torrisdale bay just to the south of Carradale bay, both nice spots if wind in W to N, good holding, Lochranza nice place holding can be dodgy in squally winds from the SE, dont like the hotel bit grotty and the midges bad. Pass Tarbet by (but if you must walk all the way round the village to the Columba, a good meal here) a mile on past pick up a mooring at the Stonefield Castle hotel tucked away behind Barmore island. From here a nice sail round into the West kyle, moorings at kames and Tighnabruach, nice for a walk ashore here and a couple of nice tea rooms also. Head through the narrows at Burnt Island but before you do stop off for the night at Caladh Harbour, a lovely peaceful spot if not too busy. Next down the East Kyle, stop off at Rothsay if only to look at the toilets, flower beds and gardens always nice. Head down the east side of Bute and anchor off the old pier at Mount Stuart, walk ashore and visit Mount Stuart house, not to be missed....awesome!! From here pop into glencallum bay (Callums Hole) then to Brodick, but anchor under the castle in the nw corner of the bay, good holding with a few spots of weed. Walk ashore to visit the castle gardens. Maybe then visit Troon, if I am around I will stand you a pint....!!! home via Girvan/Portpatrick/Glenarm.............decision's....hell I can never decide where to go my self so what am I doing telling you!!!!

Have a great sail, hope the weather picks up.

Paul.
 

Peppermint

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Re: Here\'s a couple of places

Lochranza. I like this harbour under the hill. The castle ruin gives it a bit of atmosphere. Really good distillery a short walk up the hill.

There's a decent hotel/bar at Ardentinney with moorings and a dinghy pontoon. It offers beautiful views, to the south, from it's beer gardens. It also offers a view of the Dr Strangelove world that is Coulport. That's where our nukes are kept and it's quite secure.
 

AndCur

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Re: Here\'s a couple of places

Hi Guys

Thanks for the replys. Lets hope the weather is good enough for the trip.

Cheers

Andrew
 
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