Kyles of Bute

[jimi]

Dumbarton ...

know it well. As a youth in the 70's mis-spent many hours on the boulders and cliff under the castle, whilst at Glasgow Uni.

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[Aja]

Re: Dumbarton ...

Did you get lost? Keep Rebel in the boatyard on the other side of the Leven. Kids still get stuck on Dumbarton Rock. Site of Dennys now Dumbarton FC Stadium. Aptly named 'Strathclyde Homes Stadium'

Donald

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[pagoda]

Ettrick bay obstructions?

In the best tradition of probably MOD (WD!) parlance there are "obstructions" in Ettrick Bay on Bute. It's a rather good looking bay - and looks reasonably clean in the middle form the sat pictures. What's wrong with it? Has anybody dived in the area? It is far too exposed for fish farming so my guess is WW2 war games material left to rot.
Does anybody know the story?

thanks, Graeme

 

[Spyro]

I would second Lochranza and the distillery tour There has been some poor reports about the hotel/bar but not visited recently so can't comment.
Your wife would love Portavadie Marina and the restaurant. If I was leaving Ireland I wouldn't head for Cambelltown but would head for a stop over at Lamlash or Brodick then up loch Fyne via Lochranza. I've heard Otter ferry is also very nice with free moorings available then back down around Bute Clockwise.
Ardrossan can be beautiful this time of year

 

[Billjratt]

............ I've heard Otter ferry is also very nice with free moorings available then back down around Bute Clockwise.
Ardrossan can be beautiful this time of year

Otter Ferry : best to phone before you go all the way up there. Somebody we met didn't and it was the night they don't open..Tues?

As for Ardrossan - if it can, why doesn't it get on and do it?

 

[38Super]

Your wife would love Portavadie Marina and the restaurant. If I was leaving Ireland I wouldn't head for Cambelltown but would head for a stop over at Lamlash or Brodick then up loch Fyne via Lochranza. I've heard Otter ferry is also very nice with free moorings available then back down around Bute Clockwise.

Thanks Spyro. I think you have just set the plan for the first few days of my holiday.

Rosneath-Kames-Portavadie-Otter Ferry.
I was just amazed at Portavadie last year and had completely forgaotten about it - superb restaurant
Plan is to head for Glenarm after that and Cambelltown seems like an obvious stopping point en-route. Is there a particular reason why you wouldn't go there?

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Going to Scotland in a couple of weeks Me, Wife, Offspring 7 and 9
looking at Campbelltown,East Tarbet and the Kyles of Bute any info
where to go what to see etc.

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If you're in Rothesay then one place worth visiting are the public toilets on the harbour pier. World class they are. If you don't believe me, just go and have a look.

 

[Quandary]

The mens loos at Portavadie are a bit interesting too, what other Scottish marina has hair straighteners and two colours of liquid soap. But I suppose this is what the South coasters are used to.

 

[toad_oftoadhall]

The mens loos at Portavadie are a bit interesting too, what other Scottish marina has hair straighteners and two colours of liquid soap. But I suppose this is what the South coasters are used to.

Yup. That's why we like Holiday destinations where men wear skirts.

 

[Gordonmc]

Otter Ferry : best to phone before you go all the way up there. Somebody we met didn't and it was the night they don't open..Tues?

Flap called in at the Oystercatcher, Otter Ferry, a couple of weeks ago just before new owners took over.
The previous landlord, Ken, closed on Tuesdays and other times the family retreated to Tignabruich at night leaving a young guy to look after the place.
The new owner says he will be open every day for the rest of the summer.
There are free visitor moorings and a handy floating pontoon for the dinghy. The moorings are old HIDB-style and don't have pick-ups, so a bit of practice with the lassoo would be handy.
I have grumped about Tarbert but found it much improved with three bistros now operating, the Dutch barge serving tapas and real ale in the Vic.
The harbour authority still charge like the Gordons, though.

 

[AllanJ]

Largs

I (and a few hundred others) am based in Largs Marina. It and the town are good places for you to visit. You will be able to pick up loads of local know-how (even if you dont ask for it!). There is a Clyde 'community' in here, but a bit inactive - maybe a request from you will stimulate some answers. PM me if you want to know where I am when you are coming up.

 

[Ubergeekian]

In the best tradition of probably MOD (WD!) parlance there are "obstructions" in Ettrick Bay on Bute. It's a rather good looking bay - and looks reasonably clean in the middle form the sat pictures. What's wrong with it? Has anybody dived in the area? It is far too exposed for fish farming so my guess is WW2 war games material left to rot.
Does anybody know the story?

Ettrick Bay has been marked as obstructed for as long as I can remember ... but I've never checked it in my pre-war CCC book. I shall do so, next time I'm at the boat and not halfway up a soggy mountain in Wales.

Last time I was there, by road, a month or two ago there was a naval ship - minesweeper, I think - anchored spang in the middle. Maybe they know something we don't?

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Are there not Power Cables (disused) in Ettrick Bay? I have anchored in there a few times without any issue. The bottom is sand and there is good visibility to the the seabed.

There is some memory of large mooring chains, naval moorings and associated power cables from long ago. The bay had something to do with the Navy when the Clyde was big on Naval boats and ships.

 

[alan_d]

Are there not Power Cables (disused) in Ettrick Bay? I have anchored in there a few times without any issue. The bottom is sand and there is good visibility to the the seabed.

There is some memory of large mooring chains, naval moorings and associated power cables from long ago. The bay had something to do with the Navy when the Clyde was big on Naval boats and ships.

That's not where the submarine depot ship and the submarines used to hang out is it? I remember a holiday to Bute when I was a lad (late 1950s possibly) and being taken on a boat trip to see them.