Help with 5 day cruise on the Clyde (and beyond).

[LadyJ]

With almost no persuasion my wife has agreed to head out on a 5 day cruise starting from Largs in June with no kids just the two of us. Cruising speed is c. 20/26 knots and overnights probability need to be in a marina (too early to risk scaring the good lady on the hook overnight, although a sheltered mooring buoy may be ok but not on day 1 or 2!). What are your recommendations on destinations, route, coffee break mooring etc. any practical advise welcome or detours to ensure the good lady really gets the cruising bug. I should say, the boat is a 25 foot outboard so seastate needs to be relatively good so less exposed cruising for this trip is the best plan.

 

[LadyJ]

Also should have mentioned, folding bikes may be coming too so any places to get off, wander or cycle to add to the trip would be great.

 

[Ian tan]

Tarbert and Portavadie have to high on the list, nice cruise through the Kyles from Largs and then up Loch Fyne, watch the sea state as southerlys can bring up a chop.

We make this trip most weekends from Kip.

For a week you could go to one of these, a day trip up to Otter bay and stop at the other on the way back. Weather dependant you could go down to Carradale, you'll need a tender as mooring is on one of four visitor moorings.

 

[ctva]

On the Clyde, if the weather is good, close your eyes and throw darts at the chart to choose your destination. You will not be disappointed where ever you end up and there are enough marinas or hotel moorings about to suit. However it woul be worth going to a few places where anchoring is needed but the rewards are great, Caladh Harbour, Holy Isle and the many bays round Bute.

On the other hand is the weather is normal, Holy Loch, Rothesay, Kames, Tarbert, Portavadi, Ardrishaig, Lochgoilhead, Carrick Castle, Bowling.

So with Larsg as a starting point, good weather go anywhere, otherwise anywhere North. Get the CCC pilot and Welcome Anchorages for all the details.

 

[Galia]

I have checked out various online resources while planning a trip to Scotland. While perhaps more sailing based , I imagine the info is just as applicable to power boats.

Sailscotland.co.uk

Visitscotland.com

Visitmyharbour.com

Inyourfootsteps.com


Apologies, other than my boat coming from Largs originally, I have no actual experience (as yet) - but that not unusual for a chat forum !!

George

 

[scottie]

Fuel may be a problem as I believe that Largs and holy loch marinas were the only ones with waterside petrol pumps so either some form of wheels or long arms may be the result

 

[LadyJ]

Fuel may be a problem as I believe that Largs and holy loch marinas were the only ones with waterside petrol pumps so either some form of wheels or long arms may be the result

Thanks for heads up. I've a 280 ltr tank and will carry another 50 ltrs spare so range should be c. 200 nautical miles with a 10/15% reserve and think Portavadie has fuel. I'm petrol which makes it more of a challenge.

 

[kennyh]

Fuel may be a problem as I believe that Largs and holy loch marinas were the only ones with waterside petrol pumps so either some form of wheels or long arms may be the result

Portavadie has petrol too and is a fantastic marina (in my view) and if you fancy a day off you can walk to the nearby ferry to Tarbet and have a lengthy lunch and a few refreshments!

 

[kennyh]

Also should have mentioned, folding bikes may be coming too so any places to get off, wander or cycle to add to the trip would be great.

If you like nature, you could cycle to (or get a bus/taxi to) the Benmore botanic gardens nearby to the Holy Loch marina. Well worth a visit on a nice day; even has some giant Redwoods!

 

[SEARANGER ANCASTER]

With almost no persuasion my wife has agreed to head out on a 5 day cruise starting from Largs in June with no kids just the two of us. Cruising speed is c. 20/26 knots and overnights probability need to be in a marina (too early to risk scaring the good lady on the hook overnight, although a sheltered mooring buoy may be ok but not on day 1 or 2!). What are your recommendations on destinations, route, coffee break mooring etc. any practical advise welcome or detours to ensure the good lady really gets the cruising bug. I should say, the boat is a 25 foot outboard so seastate needs to be relatively good so less exposed cruising for this trip is the best plan.

Yes as others have said Portavadie , Tarbert and Port Bannatyne would be our favourite marinas in the Clyde. For a mooring , Otter Ferry or up Lochgoilhead would be amongst our favourites

For cycling , Port Bannatyne would be one of the best ( few hills!) as you could cycle over the old tramway track to Ettrick Bay with fantastic beach , views and a great wee tea room too.

 

[scottie]

Portavadie has petrol too and is a fantastic marina (in my view) and if you fancy a day off you can walk to the nearby ferry to Tarbet and have a lengthy lunch and a few refreshments!

You seem to have a Freudian preference for Loch Lomond but I get Inchmurran and Inchmarnock mixed up

 

[Bojangles]

Plenty of good suggestions so far. Best overnight stops in Marina's are probably Port Bannatyne, Portavadie & Tarbert. Overnights on moorings I'd suggest Colintraive, Otter Ferry or Lochranza being some of the most sheltered. If weather unsettled best place for sheltered moorings/anchorages is Kyles of Bute. You will fill 5 days easy, plenty cycling opportunities at all of above, some being quite hilly though, if you can put up with the hills you will reach better viewpoints, there are too many to mention.

Best to sort your plan and post it here nearer the time and we can advise if the forecast suits your itenery.

 

[Bojangles]

Forgot to mention Millport, right on your doorstep from Largs and great for cycling. Moorings at Millport or the jetty at the water sports centre might be easier.

 

[kennyh]

You seem to have a Freudian preference for Loch Lomond but I get Iinchmurran and Inchmarnock mixed up

Apologies, I'm referring to Tarbert (on Loch Fyne) rather than Tarbet (on Loch Lomond)

... And of course you are referring to Inchmurrin (the island on Loch Lomond) rather than Iinchmurran (which I'm not sure exists)!

 

[LittleShip]

Others have given some good places to go to but nobody mentioned this as a stop over on a mooring.

North of EL Tarbert is "Stonefield Castle" they have a couple of moorings for customer use in a small shelters bay. Row ashore and have tea and scones, stay the night if there's nothing from the North.

Not sure I should advertise this gem

Tom.

 

[scottie]

Others have given some good places to go to but nobody mentioned this as a stop over on a mooring.

North of EL Tarbert is "Stonefield Castle" they have a couple of moorings for customer use in a small shelters bay. Row ashore and have tea and scones, stay the night if there's nothing from the North.

Not sure I should advertise this gem

Tom.

Don't need to row ashore I have taken a 30 ft cruiser alongside the jetty I was young and foolish perhaps

 

[LittleShip]

Hmmm,!!

Agreed, foolish. The bottom isn't very forgiving for a largish boat.

Tender and leave the boat on a mooring.

Tom.

 

[scottie]

Hmmm,!!

Agreed, foolish. The bottom isn't very forgiving for a largish boat.

Tender and leave the boat on a mooring.

Tom.

Get the tide right you don't touch

The slip is there because one of the owners when it was a private house used to commute by boat

Now there is helipad

 

[Railbob]

Portavadie has petrol too and is a fantastic marina (in my view) and if you fancy a day off you can walk to the nearby ferry to Tarbet and have a lengthy lunch and a few refreshments!

Stop telling people about Portavadie, you know it's a secret

 

[LadyJ]

Thanks all for the great ideas, need to change the trip to a month to get the ideas in. It is three weeks before the departure date so fingers crossed on the weather and nearer the time I'll post the itinery for any last minute suggestions or recommended changes.