Inverness to Great Yarmouth

boatmike

boatmike

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I am planning a round Britain cruise (or at least part) this year. The South Coast, Scillies, Ireland, and up as far as Mull I have lots of info on and is no problem. Then its the Caledonian Canal (a must)
From Inverness down to Gt. Yarmouth though is totally unknown to me. Apart from knowing that all they northern folks talk funny I now NOTHING! Gt. Yarmouth down is fine.
I am also finding it difficult to get pilot books for this area. Is that simply because it is as
boring as I suspect, or am I misjudging it? I shall be short handed in that my "crew" is rather inexperienced (but enthusiastic) so really only want to day-sail and anything over 100miles in one day is therefore not a good idea as I would not yet trust her as a watchkeeper while I kip.
Any thoughts/info, books to read etc would be welcome.
The other alternative would be to carry on around Cape Wrath and go around the top and down to Inverness. Then through the canal in the other direction and back down the Irish sea. What does the folorum think?
 
Long long slog

It's quite a long slog down the east coast. Not many places to stop, and if the wind blows from the east it is very exposed.

From Peterhead to Edinburgh the harbours are very small, and not good 'refuges' if the wind blows up.

There are a couple of interesting places (Edinburgh, Lindisfarne etc), but it is a very bland coast.

Also, there is considerable shipping to watch out for - I felt more exposed in the N. Sea than crossing the channel, as you never new which direction the next ship would come from!

Going clockwise round Cape Wrath and then back through the Caledonian Canal would probably be a more pleaseant adventure!
 
'Apart from knowing that all they northern folks talk funny I now NOTHING! Is that simply because it is as boring as I suspect.'

I think your suspicions are correct. We do talk funny, and the sailing is boring.

With preconceptions like yours I fear you might not enjoy yourself. Best stay away.

ps. For others contemplating a round-uk the Scottish E and SE, the English NE and E coasts can be a bugger......... But that is part of the challenge, isn't it?
 
I have had a great time between inverness and the forth on a couple of occassions, taking my time in a very small boat. Plenty of small communities who welcome visitors, although I wonder if your boat may be too beamy to get into some of the attractive harbours. On the way up I did North Berwick, Crail, St Andrews, Stonehaven, Port Errol, Pennan (yes, really), Cullen, Lossiemouth, Nairn, Fortrose, Inverness.

R
 
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Fascadale said:
This book, The RNYC Sailing Directions, Humber to Rattray Head is well thought of as is the CCC North & North East Scotland and Orkney Islands which covers the Scottish coast from Cape Wrath to Peterhead and also the Orkney Islands

Between the two you will get from Inverness to the Humber or from Cape Wrath to the Humber, which leaves the Orkney option open for you.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that. I had been looking primarily at Imray Pilots. The first CCC one certainly covers the gap down to Humber apart from Inverness to Rattray head. Pity to buy both just for this bit. Looking at the passage north around Cape Wrath it is certainly tempting but also looks a bit short of refuges when coastal hopping by day alone. With this being "crews" first long cruise apart from Channel Islands last year which (she loved) I am trying to make it a "potter" down the coast smelling the roses along the way. With more experienced crew there would be no competition. I would go around the top and call at the Orkneys.
It would seem at a glance that Buckie,Whitehills,Frazerborgh are the only refuges between Inverness and Peterhead at a glance... Anyone know better?
 
boatmike said:
It would seem at a glance that Buckie,Whitehills,Frazerborgh are the only refuges between Inverness and Peterhead at a glance... Anyone know better?
Click to expand...


Depends a bit on what you mean by "Refuge". I expect you could get into Lossiemouth, and MacDuff, possibly Findhorn (I don't know it). Buckie is fairly industrial.

R
 
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Romeo said:
Depends a bit on what you mean by "Refuge". I expect you could get into Lossiemouth, and MacDuff, possibly Findhorn (I don't know it). Buckie is fairly industrial.

R
Click to expand...

Yes indeed, just looked at Lossiemouth ideally situated as a first stop from Inverness. Just showing my ignorance really. Missed it completely at a first glance. Seems like a marina there now!
By "refuge" I mean a safe harbour approachable in crappy weather. I know I need to recognise that many places will be difficult to enter in an easterly blow up there. If it's got a good pub even better!!
 
Yup, pontoons in Lossie for some time now. Banff has also been dredged and had a cill and pontoons put in. Not sure if it suits you size wise. Good town to stop at though. Can walk there from MacDuff.

R
 
Agree Lossie as a good option. Rather a tight dog-leg in the entrance but I have turned a 72'er to get in so should be feasible. Peterhead is not attractive but very good shelter, Stonehaven the opposite, OK in W'ly but not in onshore conditions. Eymouth delightful, ditto Holy Island, spend a day cruising the Farnes if conditions permit, Amble or Blyth both OK, Hartlepool, never been, Whitby a delight.....

Bland? Bland? The man's clearly been misled.
 
Bland? Bland? The man's clearly been misled.

Thanks Ken. I sincerely hope so! I am really quite ashamed of not knowing the area better actually as my Father came from "The Granite City" and instilled in me a quiet pride of my Scots heritage although born in Woking. It's a wee while since I visited Aberdeen though but I have waxed quite lyrically on to my lady crew regarding how nice the people are and how warm a welcome we should get north of the border. It will serve me right is I get rejected as a sassenach now after making wisecracks about talking funny op north and told to booger off!
 
fluffc said:
It's quite a long slog down the east coast. Not many places to stop, and if the wind blows from the east it is very exposed.

From Peterhead to Edinburgh the harbours are very small, and not good 'refuges' if the wind blows up.

There are a couple of interesting places (Edinburgh, Lindisfarne etc), but it is a very bland coast.
Click to expand...

Arbroath is totally safe and an interesting visit.
Tayport similar
You'll always find a safe harbour in the Forth
take a close look at Bass Rock while you are there
Dunbar is great in reasonable weather, with the best pub I know of. Volunteer Arms
St Abbs harbour - wow!
Eyemouth, an interesting pretty town
Berwick, not too yottie but a fantastic shore visit
Farne Islands = fantastic wildlife
Blyth for a fantastic clubhouse
Tyne - go all the way up to Toon for a night ashore
Whitby Marina is poor but the town is a jewel
Scarborough is wonderful
Grimsby - lovely club
Wells, great town

Mr Fluffc also forgot to mention the numerous coastal castles if that takes your fancy.
He might have forgotten the Heritage Coastline from N of St Abbs Head down to Amble.
Flamborough Hd is a big daddy.
 
boatmike said:
I am planning a round Britain cruise (or at least part) this year. ...............Any thoughts/info, books to read etc would be welcome.
The other alternative would be to carry on around Cape Wrath and go around the top and down to Inverness. Then through the canal in the other direction and back down the Irish sea. What does the folorum think?
Click to expand...

Much depends on your priorities for the cruise; clearly it is not to see the entire coastine, or to tick the RB box for conversation purposes. If visiting regional harbours and communities is most important, you would miss a lot by ignoring the east coast.
But if you want to see the finest natural coastlines and anchorages, then missing out northern Scotland would be a most regrettable decision.
It can easily be acieved well within your limit of under-hundred-mile hops, and with good harbours, natural or man-made; Portree, Lochinver, Kinlochbervie, Scrabster, Stromness, Wick, Inverness.
The clock-wise circuit is usually much less difficult that the anti-
 
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Piotaskipper said:
Much depends on your priorities for the cruise; clearly it is not to see the entire coastine, or to tick the RB box for conversation purposes. If visiting regional harbours and communities is most important, you would miss a lot by ignoring the east coast.
But if you want to see the finest natural coastlines and anchorages, then missing out northern Scotland would be a most regrettable decision.
It can easily be acieved well within your limit of under-hundred-mile hops, and with good harbours, natural or man-made; Portree, Lochinver, Kinlochbervie, Scrabster, Stromness, Wick, Inverness.
Click to expand...

I am beginning to think that you are entirely correct on all counts. I have done enough research today with a good deal of help here to come to the conclusion that the east coast, far from being a dull place, is crammed with small harbours, marinas, towns and....well lots to see! I stumbled across a superb site www.ports.org.uk that lists them all with a round Britain map showing you where they are, their history, and basic contact info. Superb!
Of course it is not meant to be a pilot and I believe it's stupid to blunder around without one expensive though they are. This site is a fantastic planning tool though....

Again many thanks to all contributors, and I hope the info supplied will be an inspiration to others too.
 
A bit concerned by your assumed average of 100 miles per day - I like to stop each evening on my travels up and down the west coast of the UK and would not attempt passages of more than 65 miles or thereabouts, preferably aiming for 55 miles; this allows for all those nasties that suddenly rear their ugly head!
 
boatmike said:
Looking at the passage north around Cape Wrath it is certainly tempting but also looks a bit short of refuges when coastal hopping by day alone.
Click to expand...

You shouldn't have a problem "day hopping" up the west coast, too many places to stop to list, but not many marinas. Kinlochbervie is possibly the last really safe and secure place to stop south of the Cape then round the corner you have the Kyle of Durness or more easily Loch Eriboll. From the north coast to Stromness is probably the longest stretch, (70nms?) and Stromness is so worth a visit. Stromness to Wick is an easy one, then south into the Moray Firth.

(Also a much better version of "Round (most of) Britain)
 
Up the Irish sea, around Cape Wrath, then through the Caledonian and back down the Irish sea would be how I would go about it next time. That stated, the East coast offers very friendly people and should be seen at least once!

There are quite a few places to look at:

Scarborough, Sunderland, The Humber, etc.
Try looking in Reeds...it has most of what you want or would get from a pilot book.
Day hopping is perfectly possible especially if you pick the weather and hole up for the bad stuff.
 
Community

Check out the circumnavigators of this land in the community section of this forum. It would seem there are a few of us planning.

I am also at a stage of planning the east coast return trip. So thanks to all on this post.

Does anybody have any recommendations regards pilot books for W-NW Ireland? , this looks an amazing part of the coast but also not very forgiving!!
Thanks
 
eyemouth
holyisland and the farnes are a must
amble
st peters marina newcastle (dont go the the one at north shields)
Whitby
Scarbrough
Spurn Point (anchorage) If not grimsby if you want shore facilties
Wells Next to sea

this would be my ports of call if had time on my hands, there are many anchorages worth a visit especially along the northumberland coast

The RNYC Sailing Directions, Humber to Rattray Head is a very good guide

tidal havens of the wash and humber also good if you want to explore any of the smaller havens of this excellent cruising area.
 
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