Isle of Mull

ak7274

ak7274

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7 Jan 2005
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Me York...Boat Largs
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Going through the Crinan in early June and would like info/experiences about passage through the Gulf of Corryvreckan east to west, Anchorages on South of Mull between the Gulf and Bull hole,and any good anchorages,places to avoid or visit on a sail around the island.
We expect to stay in that area for a week before returning.Clockwise or anti-clockwise? 2 day skippers.... 1 comp crew & 1 brave eejit.
Tides are neaps all week.
 
I seem to recall that, if there's any westerly swell running in from the Atlantic, the accelerated stream running west out of the Gulf of Corrievreckan creates the 'dangerous Great Race' for several miles.

Of course, you won't know about that until you're in it..... literally and figuratively.

Do tell us when ( ? ) you get back.....

/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
 
Agree with Hayden - Tobermorey is a must. The moorings and new pontoon are regulated by local community, so I don't mind paying them for a fair facility. Watch out for the chocolate shop - fantastic taste at a fantastic price. Little museum needs a visit. Whole ambience of the place is worth the day stop.

On our way up through the Sound of Mull, we met the bad weather coming the other way [isn't it always just so!], and took shelter for the night in Loch Aline. As we passed through the entrance it was as though a giant fan had been turned off - utter peace. In the early morning, the silence was only broken by the cattle and sheep on shore having a chat.

Enjoy yourself.

Tam
 
Going through the Corryvreckan east to west is easy at slack water or with the tide and a following breeze. It is best avoided if the wind and sea are coming from the west. It is also better to keep to the southern half.

There aren't many fully sheltered anchorages on the south coast of Mull but Carsaig Bay is OK in the right conditions and a good tucked away spot is Tinker's Hole on the Ross of Mull, but it is difficult to get to through the Torran Rocks if the weather/viz are bad and you need a large scale chart.

Otherwise there are lots of anchorages in the area and a good pilot is the Clyde Cruising Club's Mull of Kyntyre to Ardnamurchan Sailing Directions, see the CCC website for more details.
 
Agree with that
If you are going to go through Corryvreckan then it makes sense to go clockwise. Depending what time you go through the gulf, you'll make Tinkers hole or Bull hole
in the day - if its late when you go through then consider Colonsay. Bunessan hasn't much to offer but Gometra is quite special - particularly Acarsaid Mhor.
Tobermory is good for replenishing body, soul and boat. Going back down the sound of Mull you'll be into a headwind because thats how it goes! Loch Aline is good - along the bottom Loch Spelve is ok although there's a lot of fish farming. If you are on your way back to Crinan then perhaps consider Loch Aline and then down to Puilldobhran which will give you a good starting point to get the tides right at Pladda/Cuan and then Dorus Mor.
 
Clockwise, especially if it's a SW wind. The main tidal gates are at Dorus Mor and the Gulf of Corryvreckan. We've gone through Dorus Mor with the tide, which is errmmm, fast, but only ever gone through the Corryvreckan at, or near, slack water, when it is safe. Even then there are some quite interesting disturbaces on the surface. We've kept close to the Jura side to avoid the excessive turbulance by Scarba.

Anchorages are weather dependent, and alternatives should be considered. Claymore has suggested Colonsay, and there are also the Garvellachs (settled weather only), and Bagh Gleann nam Muc at the north end of Jura (good shelter and an excellent view of the Corryvreckan).

Along the south coast of Mull, there are three anchorages, though we have not used them and cannot vouch for them: Ardalanish, Carsaig Bay, and Loch Buie. All are for settled weather and could be unpleasant or dangerous in an onshore wind. Tinker's Hole (aka Fiddler's Hole) at Erraid gives good shelter, and is in a beautiful situation.

Bunessan is reasonably sheltered and has fresh water at the fish jetty and a pub (bar meals). After that you're spoilt for anchorage choice; Ulva, Gometra etc.

A visit to Tobermory is worthwhile, although I personally find it's becoming too busy. If you wish to avoid the visitor moorings and the new pontoons (both will be busy), you can have a peaceful anchorage at the Doirlinn (at the south end of Calve Island), or in the very southeast corner of Tobermory Bay (aka Aros Bay), either between the fish farm and the Aros Burn (reasonable depth, usually room for three boats), or off Aros Pier (deeper water). There's a pleasant walk from there through the park to the town.

Enjoy it!

PS: I totally agree with Claymore about Loch Spelve. Very sheltered, but one of the most miserable anchorages on the west coast IMHO. As he wrote, Puilladobhrain is to be much preferred.
 
Objection

I only said Loch Spelve is a possibility - I never said it was worth going into - in fact, if you can be bothered to read my post properly you ageing seaboot, you will note that I suggested Pullers as an alternative.
Yor apologies are of course graciously accepted.
 
[
PS: I totally agree with Claymore about Loch Spelve. Very sheltered, but one of the most miserable anchorages on the west coast IMHO. As he wrote, Puilladobhrain is to be much preferred.

[/ QUOTE ]

That's funny, I spent three days in Loch Spelve in 2003, 30degrees wall to wall sun and almost deserted, I agree there are far to many fish pens and, the water has the consistancy of glycarine as a result but there is somthing strangly beautiful about the isolation. I guess it may have been misserable in less ideal weather. I have it on my list along with Loch Slappin to revisit this year. Will I be dissapointed?

One must not miss the mobile chippy on a visit to Tobermory. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Loch Spelve

I've only ever anchored at Croggan (near the entrance to the loch) and at the north end, so maybe the SW corner is better. But, to me, the area's flat, boring, some ugly buildings at the north end, shut in etc etc... Genuinely, I cannot see how it could stand comparison with Puilladobhrain, Garvellachs, Tinker's Hole, or any number of, to me, superb anchorages within twenty miles or so. Still, beauty, the beholder etc..

Having said all that, the entrance provides interesting pilotage, especially on a moonless night. Sometimes the white leading line markers move, and turn out to be sheep. And it's a welcome refuge in a blow.

Haven't sailed to Loch Slapin, but just around the corner, to the west, is Loch Scavaig:

LochScavaig2004.jpg


Worth a visit IMHO.
 
Re: Loch Spelve

It was indeed the South West Corner.
I think it was the Cullens and a soaring eagle which I recall of Slapin, Scavaig is on the long list of must does for this year along with Barra with the help of a little good weather in July.
 
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