Loch Fyne Oyter Bar

[Ranyart]

Has anyone sailed to the Loch Fyne resturant at the top of Loch Fyne?
We are chartering a 32 footer from Largs next month and wondered whether it is worth going all the way up there. I beleive they have a couple of moorings. Has anyone used them recently? Are they safe to stay on overnight and what is the depth at low water?
Thanks in advance for advice.

 

[Morven]

Not sure if they are still there, I cannot find any trace of them in the current Welcome Anchorages. It is a long drag up the Loch to there and the moorings were about 1/2 mile away from the restaurant to give the depth needed as the head of the loch dries.

As an alternate consider either the Strachur Inn (used to have realy great venison sausages) or the Otter Ferry Inn. If the wind is South then Otter Ferry has better shelter.

 

[davidfox]

Has anyone sailed to the Loch Fyne resturant at the top of Loch Fyne?

No but been to the one in Cambridge tho - Not bad!

 

[Al Dickson]

LFOB

According to this months Yachting Life the moorings are still there - owned by the restaurant so if you call them they can probably confirm - it is a bit of a walk to the along a busy A road but if you ask them in advance they may pick you up (so say the article) restaurant is very good also recommend the Oystercatcher at Otter Ferry there are a few moorings and a small landing landing pontoon.

 

[Ubergeekian]

Has anyone sailed to the Loch Fyne resturant at the top of Loch Fyne?
We are chartering a 32 footer from Largs next month and wondered whether it is worth going all the way up there. I beleive they have a couple of moorings. Has anyone used them recently? Are they safe to stay on overnight and what is the depth at low water?
Thanks in advance for advice.

There's an article about them in the current Yachting Life, which I left on the boat. Two moorings, as I recall, free of charge and maintained by the Oyster Bar people.

 

[Sgeir]

As Morven wrote, there are good alternatives, but sailing to the Loch Fyne oyster bar at Cairndow can make a pleasant trip up the loch in decent conditions. There are four moorings supplied for customers; as such, they should annually inspected and maintained. Haven't a clue about the depth, but I'm sure that it will be sufficient for a thirtytwo footer.

For those with a passing interest in the mildly bizarre, it was also the "secret" meeting place of Messrs Brown and Prescott as they plotted Mr Blair's demise in 2004. Diners can reflect upon the nature of temporal power as they tuck into their oysters and langoustines.

 

[pagoda]

Has anyone sailed to the Loch Fyne resturant at the top of Loch Fyne?
We are chartering a 32 footer from Largs next month and wondered whether it is worth going all the way up there. I beleive they have a couple of moorings. Has anyone used them recently? Are they safe to stay on overnight and what is the depth at low water?
Thanks in advance for advice.

We went almost all the way up there last year- at least as far as the Creggans Hotel at Strachur- which had 2 moorings (with pick-ups). The food was good, and not far to row!
It's a long drag if you have to motor, and the Otter Ferry Inn is a more accessible alternative. 6 moorings and space to anchor as well. A small pontoon to tie up your inflatable also. Exposed from WSW-N.
You get to see parts of Loch Fyne you cannot from any road, and Minard narrows are quite atmospheric.

Graeme

 

[Quandary]

Loch Fyne Oyster Bar

The moorings are still there, but rarely used as most yachts don't go beyond Inveraray, excellent but busy and quite expensive restaurant. (this particular branch of the business was transferred from the Noble family to the workers who now co-own it) so no longer connected with the English branches. Also an excellent food shop. I would recommend pre-booking for the restaurant. Some good walking on grass.
The Oystercatcher at Otter Ferry is now very popular and the visitors moorings are usually taken early, it is a popular lunch stop for locals out for a sail, but no trouble to anchor in about 3m. with good shelter from the enormous gravel spit. ( I find good holding on sand off the beach just inshore of the two western private moorings)

 

[Ranyart]

Thanks to all who answered. As a new poster to this forum it is great to get such positive replies on my first posting.
I may look into the Oystercatcher at Otter Ferry but it is good to know that I now have options on our destination.
Thanks again

 

[Alfie168]

Oh no, not the Loch Fyne Oyster Bar.....SWMBO and I drove past in 1988, She said 'lets stop for lunch' I said "We'l catch it on the way back", but we went a different way in the end and I'm never ever going to be forgiven.

I took her to the one that used to be in Stamford, but its not the same is it, and she made it clear I was still not forgiven

Heck

Tim

 

[shmoo]

The wonderful Mortimer's that used to be on the quay in the wet dock in Ipswich got bought by Lock Fyne, moved, got bigger, and went down the slot.

I thought about giving it another chance recently and rung up to make a reservation. I asked if they had any Dover Sole, so I could have them keep one for me, and they weren't quite sure what I was talking about...

 

[Aja]

Another very pleasant stop over with an excellent anchorage is within Loch Gare. Hotel was good last time we were there too.

Donald

 

[aquaplane]

You can do both, on 2 nights. We came from Invarary to the Oyster Catcher in a day so the bit extra to the head of Loch Fyne will just make it a bit of a longer day.

Only been past the Oyster bar by road but the Oyster Catcher was good to eat at.

 

[andymcp]

The moorings are there and they will be fine for a 32 footer. A certain employee of the Oyster Bar moored his rather larger Najad there when he went up on business. I believe he had a deal with the travellers in the lay-by (not sure if they're still there) where they looked after his tender while he was at work for a small contribution.

We passed there on the way home on Sunday and there looked to be around 4 moorings, and the closest to the shore had what looked a lot like a Sadler 34 tied to it, at low tide.

 

[agurney]

I drove past this evening and can confirm there are four moorings with pickups less than half a mile from Loch Fyne Oysters

Alisdair

 

[fmoran]

The 3 moorings were there when I drove by the other morning with their pick up buoys alongside. They looked clean and looked after. We used in 2008 and the moorings were top quality.

Its a half mile walk to an excellent meal, but I advise using the beach to avoid the traffic on the very busy and dangerous stretch of road - this is the only drawback to going there.

The Oystercatcher is excellent and also worth a visit, also it's dog friendly and can take them into the bar, and saves a 40 mile trip!

Enjoy Loch Fyne and if you want a nice anchorage then go into the south end of Barmore Island for the night in winds from W/N/E as an alternative to Tarbert.

Largs is superb today as I look out - NW F 3/4, blue sea, and not a cloud in the sky. We are not out today as have taken advantage of the super weather and been out sailing for the last 4 days

 

[powerone]

Please do try to get up to the end for the restaurant. Loch Fyne is a lovely loch it is great views. Loch fyne has great food.

Only two issues, as being stated before. 1) You have to book. Its very busy all day. They dont like you not booking, get very upset. Even if they re not busy they get 'upset'

2) because this is owned by the staff. Its not owned by a pub chain like all the others. So no real deals or vouchers as the others.

But for a treat or if you can afford it stop off. Even when going by car its really great trip.

Its come on so much over the years, I can recall when it was a little shed by the road. But now is big restautant and shop. Also for some reason, I dont know who thought of thi one. The toilets are through the shop away from the eating area. Its okay unless you have a messy shell fish dinner, making a mess of your hands.

 

[Ubergeekian]

2) because this is owned by the staff. Its not owned by a pub chain like all the others. So no real deals or vouchers as the others.

Do they still sell smoked salmon trimmings dead cheap? Used to be stunning value ...

 

[agurney]

Do they still sell smoked salmon trimmings dead cheap? Used to be stunning value ...

Yes, though can't be guaranteed.

There's also a relatively new brewery at the head of loch. It looks easy walking distance, but I've only ever passed out of hours and never had the opportunity to explore so it might be a few miles up the track (though I doubt it).

Alisdair

 

[fmoran]

Trimmings not cheap - £4 - but good. Can also be bought in our local fish shop in Largs, so I am sure in others also. Had for lunch today in the garden!