Loch Leven and the narrows

[Cheeky Girl]

Hi there

Sitting looking out the window (not very busy to-day) and wondered about going up Loch Leven this year. As no charts handy anyone have any ideas ref bridge clearance and passage through?

On the same thought can the Corran Narrows be navigated?

Regards
Graham

 

[Sgeir]

Bridge clearance is 16m. There a leading line on the chart and mentioned in the Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions. All straightforward but strong tides run, so best at slackish water imho.

Further up the loch towards Kinlochleven , at Caolas nan Con, they used to keep it dredged for the bauxite ships, but since the aluminium works has closed, I doubt if they still do it. Anyone know?

 

[Krusty]

Corran narrows present no navigation problem other than strong streams; up to 6kn, turning about the same time as HW/LW Oban (from memory). The approach from the South has shoals either side but is plenty wide enough for beating.
If you enjoy exploring, you might enjoy going all the way; past the islands off Corpach (beware of anchoring there: the bed is littered with old moorings way back to WW2; I have a fouled anchor still there) then into Loch Eil through narrows where the streams are almost as strong as Corran. The loch has some fish farms, and private moorings off the Loch Eil adventure-centre, but there is ample space and quiet for anchorage in the shoal waters near the head.
Interesting (but not hazardous) navigation, fine scenery, and almost guaranteed solitude at the end.

 

[Sgeir]

Piota has picked up in the Corran narrows (apologies, I forgot), again no problem apart from the strength of the tidal current.

Not sure whether Piota enjoyed his Loch Eil cruise, but tbh we wouldn't bother again. It's a bit boring, also there's also what look likes a cowp on the south side near the head of the loch, which is not too pleasant.

Anchoring was ok at the head of the loch, but there is an awful lot of weed at the "inner elbow" anchorage shown on the chart near Rubha Dearg. We made several attempts, gave up and anchored round the corner near Camusnagaul.

There's also decent anchoring at Inverscaddle bay and also near Corran itself.

 

[Cheeky Girl]

See what happens were you are half asleep at work.

I meant to type Connel rather than Corran. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

Loch Etive looks beautiful when driving up to Oban
Graham

 

[Sgeir]

Loch Etive

CPEDW, Derek, Forumite of This Parish, wrote about Loch Etive in this BlueMoment thread.

The Connel bridge is charted as having minimum clearance of 15m, and the electric cable with 13m. By sticking close to the north shore, Derek was able to pass below the electricity cable with much more clearance.

Re going under the bridge, there are rocks there (Falls of Lora) as well as a strong current, so I'd suggest using the CCC's Sailing Directions. Might see you there some time.