kircudbright, kippford

[tyce]

any body been, is it nice and anyone got any advice.
thanks in anticipation

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[Dougie_the_Mate]

In answer to your questions - yes they are nice - both however are very tidal and Kippford can only be accessed 2hrs after and before low water. There is a nice yacht club - Solway Yacht club and visitors are welcome. Dalbeattie is the nearest town for re-provisioning with Dumfries about 17 miles or so away. there is a chandler at Kippford Slipway and most of the locals are very helpful. You really need a boat that will take the ground although the pontoon rises and falls with the tide. The area around is quite outstanding in terms of natural beauty - like the Highlands but on a smaller scale. Kippford itself has a couple of hotels which serve nice meals and I think the key for the Yacht club can be acquired at the one nearest the pontoon upon payment of a small fee. Lots of nice walks around if you like that - a small nine hole par 3 course - quite excellent of its type, other Golf at Dalbeattie, Colvend and at Southerness about 10 miles away which is world class.

Kircudbright has similar problems in terms of tides but not as severe. It is more self contained with shops and other facilities at hand. Sailing Today had a feature on Kirkcudbright in their September 2002 edition.

<hr width=100% size=1><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1>Edited by Dougie_the_Mate on 10/07/2004 21:01 (server time).</FONT></P>

 

[[448]]

Consider Isle of Whithorn about 12 miles west of Little Ross. Similar tidal restrictions apply,but entry is somewhat easier with a good anchorage in the bay if waiting for the tide. Beware fresh southerlies if intending anchoring. Tie up at the visitors berths behind the quay, where single keeled visiting boats regularly dry out. Pubs, small shop, limited chandlery within 2 or3 minutes from the berth.
Cheers,Dave

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[tyce]

hi thanks for replys,
just abit confused with entry times to kippford is it 2hrs either side of high water or have i got the wrong end of the stick, please keep more ideas coming.
p.s. i have a bilge keel hunter horizon 272 so will happily dry out

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[Dougie_the_Mate]

Sorry for the lack of clarity. the Clyde Cruising Club Directions are equally unclear in that the legend differs from the chart, but basically the River Urr is un-navigable 2 hours either side of low water. At LW you can actually walk across the stream. When the tide turns it comes in quickly but you are best to leave it a bit till the channel floods and then you can safely sail up to the pontoon.



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[extravert]

Both are very scenic and well worth visiting.

Tidal restrictions are as others have said, but in both estuaries it is possible to get shelter from most moderate winds while waiting for the tides, either at the estuary sides or close to the islands. Kippford has Hestan Island and Kirkudbright has Little Ross Island. If you feel around for some water you can usually find some land to hide behind while you wait, keeping clear of the charted rocks, for example Sugarloaf near Little Ross, and Hestan Rack, north of Hestan Island.

As you can take the ground, there are also some sandy bays where you could spend a very quiet night, like Ross Bay, and if I remember correctly, Horse Isle Bay.

There's an interesting Hill Fort near Kippford, called Mote of Mark.

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I want to be a real sailor. In the mean time I'll just keep tri-ing.