Largs to Loch Linnhe-rounding Mull of Kintyre

[HamishMc]

Hi folkies and folkettes.

I am new here and i have no doubt this question has been asked and discussed previously apologies in advance.

A brief history with regards to my limited sailing experience before my question.

Two years before Covid i bought a 32ft MacWester, she was moored at Dcohgarroch on Caley canal north of Loch Ness. I spent the first year learning as best i could on Loch Ness. Second season i got bored on Loch Ness and wanted more of an adventure so took her down Caley canal to her new mooring at Bannavie just at the top of Neptunes staircase, there i could get out to sea. I played about in Loch Linnhe, down to Oban and to Tobermory, then Covid hit! Various issues due to covid forced me to sell, I was gutted, i have many outdoor hobbies but that boat was by far my favourite new hobby.
As a couple of years passed and despite saying to myself DO NOT LOOK AT BOATS i couldnt help myself espevially during a sleepless nights. Long story short i have another boat, now i understand "the call of the sea"
She is a shipman 28, not sure why the 28 as she is just over 29ft, smaller than previous boat but baby steps right.
She is moored at Largs and I am from the Highlands so not practical. I went down to see her, took her out and before closing the deal checked out best route to bring her up to Loch Linnhe, obvious choice is through the Crinan and better for me as i am still inexperienced. I done the deal as I reckon i could manage the voyage. She has to be moved by end of March and at about £520 per month for mooring i will gladly move her HOWEVER the Crinan is closed for maintenance and this leaves me with one option which is rounding the Mull of Kintyre before end of March.
Any advice on rounding the MoK and in March would be appreciated, I do not know these waters at all.
On the upside my new chart plotter has arrived and i am waiting on west coast chart to arrive . I am aware to leave Campbelltown two hours before HW, thats as far as i have got with planning journey so far but will start in coming weeks, i just thought i would lean on the experts first.
Thanks in advance.

 

[Sandy]

Hello Hamish

Welcome to the forum. Good to see somebody from home posting, I went to Banavie Primary and Lochaber High School, but am now sailing out of Plymouth. It's just as wet, but not as cold down here.

Given the limited sea time you have and the length of time since you last sailed have you considered moving the boat by road? Do you have a mooring in the Fort? I am sure there are people at Lochaber Yacht Club who could advise with some local knowledge regarding boat transport.

Next time I'm home give me a shout and we can have a dram.

 

[HamishMc]

Hi Sandy, few options for her mooring, but probably go with Achintore marina. I did visit the new Corpach marina but its expensive. I could imagine moving boat by road haulage would be really expensive and no adventure in it for me I am am actually an hour North, from Kingussie but a dram always sounds good to me . Take care

 

[ylop]

Scottish Canals are saying…

This new method of working has also allowed the works programme to be shortened, with a planned canal reopening date of 12 April 2024, a month earlier than originally anticipated. We’re pleased to confirm that the winter works remain on schedule.

so you would have less than two weeks to wait - with potentially some fun sailing in the relative safety of the clyde to refresh your memory and learn the boat, before you have to tackle the Dorus Mor, Cuan Sound etc. If that doesn’t appeal there are cheaper places in the clyde to keep a boat for a few weeks. Might even be worth taking to the canal - not sure if the basin at Ardrishaig will be open? Of course it does leave you exposed to the risk of delay on government infrastructure projects - but you face potential delay going round the mull from something even less reliable - the weather!

Road could be an option but the cost of a lift and bringing the mast down at Largs is probably not far off the cost of keeping her in the water for another month - never mind the cost of the actual transport, and mast/launch at the other end.

 

[[2574]]

Hi Hamish, welcome here. I’m a southern softie but keep the boat on the Clyde. I’ve rounded the MoK a few times now, once in November. A couple of early thoughts - the month of transit is largely irrelevant, it’s all about sea state on the day. Though via the MoK it is a fair distance up to Gigha, especially early in the year with short cold days. You’ll want o be getting in to Gigha in daylight, so factor that in.

The other thing about the MoK is that we’ve found it hard to predict even with the good weather forecasts available to us now. We’ve had flat calm passages and then other times we’ve been walloped unexpectedly, in both instances with favourable forecasts before departure. Last time we went around we encountered a large standing wave that we’ve not seen before despite using the same tidal strategy.

How about shifting to Tarbert /Port Bannatyne/Portavadie and awaiting the Crinan opening? Be cheaper than Largs?

 

[HamishMc]

Scottish Canals are saying…

so you would have less than two weeks to wait - with potentially some fun sailing in the relative safety of the clyde to refresh your memory and learn the boat, before you have to tackle the Dorus Mor, Cuan Sound etc. If that doesn’t appeal there are cheaper places in the clyde to keep a boat for a few weeks. Might even be worth taking to the canal - not sure if the basin at Ardrishaig will be open? Of course it does leave you exposed to the risk of delay on government infrastructure projects - but you face potential delay going round the mull from something even less reliable - the weather!

Road could be an option but the cost of a lift and bringing the mast down at Largs is probably not far off the cost of keeping her in the water for another month - never mind the cost of the actual transport, and mast/launch at the other end.

Thanks Ylop, appreciated. That is certainely feesable to hold off for two weeks and take the Canal. I should probably contact them. Thanks

 

[HamishMc]

Hi Hamish, welcome here. I’m a southern softie but keep the boat on the Clyde. I’ve rounded the MoK a few times now, once in November. A couple of early thoughts - the month of transit is largely irrelevant, it’s all about sea state on the day. Though via the MoK it is a fair distance up to Gigha, especially early in the year with short cold days. You’ll want o be getting in to Gigha in daylight, so factor that in.

The other thing about the MoK is that we’ve found it hard to predict even with the good weather forecasts available to us now. We’ve had flat calm passages and then other times we’ve been walloped unexpectedly, in both instances with favourable forecasts before departure. Last time we went around we encountered a large standing wave that we’ve not seen before despite using the same tidal strategy.

How about shifting to Tarbert /Port Bannatyne/Portavadie and awaiting the Crinan opening? Be cheaper than Largs?

Thanks for response Robih, appreciated. I am told Largs is one of the most expensive in Scotland, i can see why as the facilities are amazing however they are of no benefit to me as i live 160 miles North and have only been down to boat twice. Thanks for marina options and i shall conside and plan as i have logistics to consider with getting home etc. Thanks again.

 

[NormanS]

If you don't already have them, the Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions, are a great source of information.

 

[HamishMc]

If you don't already have them, the Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions, are a great source of information.

Norman, i dont so i will look into purchasing them. Many Thanks.

 

[dunedin]

If you don't already have them, the Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions, are a great source of information.

And Antares Charts - the very detailed surveys of key anchorages etc. I think the new 2024 edition is now out

 

[dunedin]

Hi folkies and folkettes.

I am new here and i have no doubt this question has been asked and discussed previously apologies in advance.

A brief history with regards to my limited sailing experience before my question.

Two years before Covid i bought a 32ft MacWester, she was moored at Dcohgarroch on Caley canal north of Loch Ness. I spent the first year learning as best i could on Loch Ness. Second season i got bored on Loch Ness and wanted more of an adventure so took her down Caley canal to her new mooring at Bannavie just at the top of Neptunes staircase, there i could get out to sea. I played about in Loch Linnhe, down to Oban and to Tobermory, then Covid hit! Various issues due to covid forced me to sell, I was gutted, i have many outdoor hobbies but that boat was by far my favourite new hobby.
As a couple of years passed and despite saying to myself DO NOT LOOK AT BOATS i couldnt help myself espevially during a sleepless nights. Long story short i have another boat, now i understand "the call of the sea"
She is a shipman 28, not sure why the 28 as she is just over 29ft, smaller than previous boat but baby steps right.
She is moored at Largs and I am from the Highlands so not practical. I went down to see her, took her out and before closing the deal checked out best route to bring her up to Loch Linnhe, obvious choice is through the Crinan and better for me as i am still inexperienced. I done the deal as I reckon i could manage the voyage. She has to be moved by end of March and at about £520 per month for mooring i will gladly move her HOWEVER the Crinan is closed for maintenance and this leaves me with one option which is rounding the Mull of Kintyre before end of March.
Any advice on rounding the MoK and in March would be appreciated, I do not know these waters at all.
On the upside my new chart plotter has arrived and i am waiting on west coast chart to arrive . I am aware to leave Campbelltown two hours before HW, thats as far as i have got with planning journey so far but will start in coming weeks, i just thought i would lean on the experts first.
Thanks in advance.

Welcome to the forum, and congratulations on the new boat.

Firstly, hopefully you don’t need to move out of Largs before end March. If your boat is on a winter berth contract, like mine, then the first two weeks of April are usually offered at a much reduced rate (half of the usual visitor rate?). Also as others have said, there may be (slightly) cheaper marina options closer to the canal - or perhaps find a mooring for a few weeks.

In terms of rounding the Mull of Kintyre, we have done this many times - 4 times last year alone. And will be looking for a weather and tide window early April to head out when our winter berth expires. It can be a lovely trip if you have the time to wait for a suitable weather AND tide window.
BUT it can get surprisingly nasty and catch even experienced people out. Heading outbound last August in a good forecast, motoring as just F1 near calm, with no big swell we suddenly found a line of breakers that we couldn‘t avoid (and as noted, been there many dozens of times so generally can avoid them). In a high freeboard 38 footer the waves smashed across the decks and clean over the sprayhood - in doing so the snapshackle on the spinnaker halyard (attached above the anchor) broker free. Then as I clipped on to go forward to secure it we went under water again. Generally we never get water in deck - even when crossing Biscay and the North Sea to/from Norway twice. This was much worse then them, albeit only for 5-10 minutes.
It isn’t generally like that, but need to be prepared for the unexpected in the mile from the corner to the lighthouse (a two forces wind increase is normal service).

So the key question is - are you time constrained by work etc or have complete freedom to choose your timing? If the former take the Crinan route (unless you have the luck of a lottery winner).
If retired and entirely flexible you first need to work out when the tides are suitable (during daylight hours), which generally is alternate weeks. Some weeks the tide times are very unsuitable. Its a long leg from Campbeltown to Gigha (or Islay) and daylight hours are still short in late March / early April - hence less flexibility to do a very early or late tide (unless experienced you do not want to be arriving at Gigha in the dark, though many do so once they know the route well).
Then you need to hope that you get a suitable weather window to suit the tides. Going outbound with a marginal/“maybe” forecast can result in tears. Only need a little bit of Westerly waves to get interesting - and as noted, plan on a two forces brief wind increase by the corner as normal service.
Be prepared to wait a few weeks for the weather window and the round the Mull route is lovely. But if inexperienced and to a fixed schedule it is a recipe for a “never again”.
The Crinan is also a lovely experience, so as others say, enjoy a couple of weeks of Clyde cruising and take the Canal.

 

[Mark-1]

Hi,

Some random questions.

Is this single handed?

Can you pick your weather?

Setting two weeks aside, leisurely heading to Campbell Town while building confidence in the boat and then going round in perfect weather, is one thing. Taking three days off work and hoping those three days will coincide with decent weather is another.

Are you confident enough in your engine that, if required, you can motor hours on end the whole way?

Are you massively enthusiastic about a 45 mile sail in the cold, wet and (likely) dark?

Can you do a few winter test sails around the Clyde to establish to yourself how up for it you are?

Personally, if I had a fortnight spare and I was confident the boat/engine were in good order and there was a crew to provide moral support and periods below with a mug of coffee I'd have thought it would be a breeze. If one or more of those factors is missing it might be progressively more of a challenge.

(I've never been around the MofK but I've sailed a fair bit both sides of it in March/April. I've got a photo of myself sailing south of Mull in April wearing a T-Shirt, so it might not even be that cold.)

Jerry's final thought: You can always turn back. Leave Campbelltown with the right weather window and head round. If after two or three hours you're making good time and loving it and likely to make Gigha or Port Ellen in daylight then carry on. If you hate it turn back with a few good stories to tell.

 

[Sandy]

Hi Sandy, few options for her mooring, but probably go with Achintore marina. I did visit the new Corpach marina but its expensive. I could imagine moving boat by road haulage would be really expensive and no adventure in it for me I am am actually an hour North, from Kingussie but a dram always sounds good to me . Take care

The new pontoons at Corpach look interesting from a visitor's perspective. Sadly, The Corpach Hotel is no longer, but the new pub at the end of the shops do a great fish supper.

Looking forward to hearing of your trip north. Don't forget to get an ice cream in Nardini's before you set off.

 

[dunedin]

..……

(I've never been around the MofK but I've sailed a fair bit both sides of it in March/April. ………

Jerry's final thought: You can always turn back. Leave Campbelltown with the right weather window and head round. If after two or three hours you're making good time and loving it and likely to make Gigha or Port Ellen in daylight then carry on. If you hate it turn back with a few good stories to tell.

Mark, apologies but I would disagree strongly with that bit about being able to turn back If not suitable.

Going outbound it will often be very smooth all the way to within a mile of the light. Then the wind increases (as it nearly always does) very suddenly plus you find very steep waves. If you have the tide times right you are now doing about 10 knots over the ground. There ain’t any going back! You are going through whatever is there!

On a modern boat you probably won’t sink. But you may need to be harnessed on, and if the hatch is open you may get a salt wash of the cabin. And burst sprayhood windows etc are not uncommon.
It will only be for about a mile, which at 10-12 knots doesn’t take long. But it can be painful.
Once past you wonder where that came from. Robih description of a “wallop” is very appropriate.

And on another day you won’t get more than a few splashes (and no, after 20+ years of roundings, it isn’t always predicable even using multiple forecast models).

 

[Mark-1]

Mark, apologies but I would disagree strongly with that bit about being able to turn back If not suitable.

Going outbound it will often be very smooth all the way to within a mile of the light. Then when suddenly the wind increases (as it nearly always does) very suddenly plus you find very steep waves. If you have the tide times right you are now doing about 10 knots over the ground. There ain’t any going back! You are going through whatever is there!

On a modern boat you probably won’t sink. But you may need to be harnessed on, and if the hatch is open you may get a salt wash of the cabin. And burst sprayhood windows etc are not uncommon.
It will only be for about a mile, which at 10-12 knots doesn’t take long. But it can be painful.
Once last you wonder where that came from. Robih description of a “wallop” is very appropriate.

Yeah, I just checked the tides and you're right. I was assuming weak tides - in fact it races round there. Thanks for correcting me.

I suppose that's good as long as you *want* to carry on.

 

[dunedin]

Yeah, I just checked the tides and you're right. I was assuming weak tides - in fact it races round there.

I suppose that's good as long as you *want* to carry on.

Yes, it is the exceptionally strong tides that are the primary issue - water heading west at 6-7 knots meeting even small waves heading east.
Before and after the corner the strong tides are your friend (if you have chosen the right day) as you can easily get along at 8 knots SOG speeding the journey.

 

[HamishMc]

Thanks Dunedin, appreciated. We are not on a Winter mooring we took over an annual mooring and i dont want to renew, so not sure they would discount us for a few weeks but can ask. I am far from retired but have put annual leave aside, one week but could maybe stretch to two weeks at short notice weather dependant . Campbelltown to Gigha is my main concern as yet, more to come i suppose once i start the planning. I know weather dependant and other factors at play but what is average sailing hours from Campbelltown to Gigha?

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Staying outside the 50m contour or about 2.5 miles off the MOK will keep you out of worst of the overfalls. There can be confusion over the time the tide turns at the MOK between CCC Pilots, Oban and Greenock HW. For this reason I refer to the Admiralty Tidal Atlas and Dover for the tides in that area.

All the best.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

This is link is a good guide to the tidal gate times at the top of the Sound of Jura: Claymore’s Definitive Tidal Gate Chart

 

[Whaup367]

A mooring at Tarbert Harbour is pretty cheap relatively inexpensive for a couple of weeks at £230 (331/month).