home base harbour for diving on scottish west coast

[scottie]

With just a week you are losing a lot of time launching at Kip or Largs
A lot would depend on the relative costs but a full day on the Clyde if the weather is good would allow a run round bute through the kyle of bute and is well worth doing and and then drive up to Oban area this would allow more time for diving
If you plan to come back round the Mull of Kintyre remember that this is exposed for weather and could be a problem if time is tight at the end of a trip

Send a pm to quandary regards time to allow for canal passage he is the canal expert

If you do go through the canal then arrange to meet others at ardrishaig and have them help through the canal it well worth the detour for them

 

[Barnacle Bill]

I've done some incredible diving based at Craobh Haven (good self catering accommodation) with a RIB & inflatable.

If you like drift diving it's in the top league - Dorus Mohr, Corrivreckan, sound of Luing, Grey Dogs, etc etc etc . But there's also a wide variety of slightly gentler sites.

I can give you details of the sites if you like.

 

[BartW]

I can give you details of the sites if you like.

If you don't mind, and not too much effort, really apreciated !
our plan still has to grow, but dates (3...10 september) and destination area are fixed.

I am specially interested in accurate and up to date tidal stream information,

as far as I can see it in that area;
- at some places you can dive all day (tidal current <0,5kn)
- at some places you have very short periods of slack water, only 30 minutes, every 6 hours...so timing needs to be very accurate (we are used to that kind of diving in the nordsea)
- and at some places you can do nice drift dives

 

[BartW]

If you don't mind, and not too much effort, really apreciated !

thank you Bill for the pm with détailed dive info,
will certainly be usefull.

 

[BartW]

With just a week you are losing a lot of time launching at Kip or Largs

yes you're right, we would loose an extra day launching at Kip, whatever cruising route to Oban we choose.

I think we will drive the car with boat till Oban, its 400km from Newcastle ferry, stay there, and then towards the end of the week decide to leave a few day's earlyer and stay one on more day's around the clyde, and do part of that trip by boat if the weather allows.

otoh, from Oban, when we are there, there are so many boating and diving destinations to choose from, so that we might stay there as long as possible.

last year Dover- Falmouth was 500km drive, and the returntrip from Penzance was almost 600 km,

 

[stelican]

Alf,

I've been told it is possible to cruise from Oban to Iverness, through the lakes,
or for you the other way round

is that doable ?
how far, distance? time ?

Dont go diving in the lakes theres a monster there

 

[BartW]

Dont go diving in the lakes theres a monster there

are you sure ?
do you have proof of that ?

 

[Divemaster1]

Monsters...

are you sure ?
do you have proof of that ?

Yup .... every now and then we travel across them and I have been observed to swim...

 

[BartW]

I can give you details of the sites if you like.

Hi Bill,
where did you get the most accurate tidal stream information ?

 

[stelican]

do you have proof of that ? ;

are you sure ?
)

Yes it is a well known fact north of the border
I have evidence aquired 1982 on a print out from a lowrance fishfinder although it is difficult to determine exact size of the echo

 

[BartW]

Re your post in my "boat search" thread

... oooh ... and if you get to Schotland ... let us know... to make drive schorter, Rothsyth may be an alternative to Newcastle...

this appears to be a very good tip Alf, which we didn't know,
thank you very much
http://www.norfolkline.nl/nl/Overtochten/België_Schotland/


will investigate timing and prices, and keep you updated !
thanks again.

 

[AndieMac]

Methinks you are going to be a very busy boy this summer Mr. W, all these toys and such little time...

 

[BartW]

Methinks you are going to be a very busy boy this summer Mr. W, all these toys and such little time...

yes,
and only 2 weeks left before we leave to Schotland,
tickets for the ferry have been booked a long time ago,
still have to do all the planning, find the dive sites, tidal current maps, ....

oh yes, and not forget to make a picture post in the holiday / delivery thread

I noticed that I will be just too late to meet mates like Little ship and Divemaster, such a shame,
but you never know what monster might show up there.

 

[AndieMac]

I noticed that I will be just too late to meet mates like Little ship and Divemaster, such a shame,
but you never know what monster might show up there.

How far up the West Coast do you intend to travel Bart?

Is your trip focused mainly on diving, or are you considering a run through the Caledonian Canal?

 

[BartW]

How far up the West Coast do you intend to travel Bart?

Is your trip focused mainly on diving, or are you considering a run through the Caledonian Canal?

ferry is to Newcastle,

plan is:

the motorhome is going to pickup a buddy on Glasgow airport
and they continue on the road to Oban,

I drive to kip marina, launch the boat, and then cruise her all the way through the crinan canal to Oban the following morning

not yet sure what's going to happen with car and trailer (re. returntrip)

still have to finalise the exact itinery

we will base ourselves in Oban all week (4-5 day's)
and do dive trips, from there,

but I am afraid that the focus will mainly be on the drinking

 

[scottie]

You will find it hard to launch at Kip and reach Oban by boat the same day!
Check the canal opening times and allow 6-8 hours for transit
You might be better to do Kip to Tarbert loch fyne and then by road to Oban

 

[AllanJ]

and when you get here; remember we have lochs (except one), not lakes (just one) or loughs!

 

[Bojangles]

ferry is to Newcastle,

plan is:

the motorhome is going to pickup a buddy on Glasgow airport
and they continue on the road to Oban,

I drive to kip marina, launch the boat, and then cruise her all the way through the crinan canal to Oban the following morning

not yet sure what's going to happen with car and trailer (re. returntrip)

still have to finalise the exact itinery

we will base ourselves in Oban all week (4-5 day's)
and do dive trips, from there,

but I am afraid that the focus will mainly be on the drinking

Hi Bart, your plan sounds fine to me, are you staying on your boat or do you need to find accommodation en route? what time do you think you will arrive at Kip. Oban via the Crinan canal is possible within a day as long as you enter the canal early enough.

 

[Divemaster1]

Bart,

One more thing for Crinan Canal ...

 

[AndieMac]

ferry is to Newcastle,

plan is:

the motorhome is going to pickup a buddy on Glasgow airport
and they continue on the road to Oban,

I drive to kip marina, launch the boat, and then cruise her all the way through the crinan canal to Oban the following morning

not yet sure what's going to happen with car and trailer (re. returntrip)

still have to finalise the exact itinery

we will base ourselves in Oban all week (4-5 day's)
and do dive trips, from there,

but I am afraid that the focus will mainly be on the drinking

Bart

If the motorhome picks up your mate from the airport and takes him to the marina to collect your car and trailer, they could then drive in convoy up to Oban.
Sorts out the storage issue in Glasgow and gives you the option to trailer back all the way to Newcastle if you choose.

I'm sure the Scots may be able to suggest other options with local knowledge.