Loch Spelve - feedback

[machurley22]

Thanks to all for the informative replies to my last post, especially Starboard since I eventually chose "his" anchorage, and Allegro for the very detailed account and pics (and because he berths at Dunstaffnage).

The cruise went very well; always enough wind but never too much. Loch Spelve was a bit of a trial though and the northern half at least is fairly congested with mussel ropes and fish cages.

Had a look at the traditional anchorage in the NW arm first but it was very gusty from the west and the rocky foreshore (it was low tide) didn't promise good holding. Had a look at the NE arm and Eilean Amalaig but didn't fancy those either - did I mention that this was to be my first night at anchor as skipper and with precious cargo in the form of my youngest daughter?

Eventually dropped the hook in about 8m in front of the cottage opposite the entrance and enjoyed an uneventful night. It fell calm shortly after midnight with the stars perfectly reflected in the loch and we woke to the same scene of tranquilty under a blue sky at seven the following morning.

A great weekend was brought to the very peak of perfection by completely losing the plot in a tricky downwind downtide berthing situation at Dunstaffnage but I'll gloss over the details of this incident to spare the blushes of the guilty - at least we had fenders out on both sides!

Thanks again to all,

Dave


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[ParaHandy]

were you told as well that the tide through dunstaffnage "always flows ant-clockwise" while looking at the water which was obviously flowing through the pontoons in t'other direction ...

(might have got tide direction completely wrong but its one way or t'other!)

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[machurley22]

It does, in fact, nearly always flow anti-clockwise but I haven't been there long enough (or spoken to the right old salt) to understand the whys and wherefores of this phenomenon.

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[starboard]

Hi Dave, Glad things went well, I agree the traditional anchorage seems infested with fish farms etc, that's why I chose that spot. I guess on a good calm night it would be ideal but the night I stayed was pretty fraught. That's one of the hazards though of sailing amongst the mountains...fierce squalls and gusts come from nowhere....rather that than the boat infested Solent though!!! Me on 4 days off so heading out tomorrow around Arran for a couple of days.

Paul.

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