My boat trip hopefully in May Around Scotland

[RobBradley]

Brilliant, if you have more time it transforms things. I tend to continuously look at the weather in two ways:
(a) Always looking 7 days ahead to get the bigger picture and set the route strategy - eg if a storm is coming may want to change route or expedite things to get into best location. Looking well ahead gives time to change plans and get to peaceful waters;
(b) Also looking short term to refine the route tactics.
It might for example be worth being prepared to reverse the route direction if the weather suits a clockwise circuit better.

If have time don’t miss Canna, Muck and the Treshnish Isles.View attachment 203474

Oh I always look ahead at least 7 days, thankfully windy shows far ahead, will be subscribing to Savy Navvy, which also does weather I believe. And I am in absolutely no rush.

Yes if I get to the east and it's too rough, then I will just turn around, or get hubby to come with L200 and trailer, and move it by road, thats always an option thankfully.

Canna, Muck and the Treshnish will be done at some point, I intend over the years to fully explore all islands and sea lochs, I want to explore Scotland and everything it has to offer.

 

[ProDave]

Don't be in so much of a rush. Take more time and stop at more places. Your Calley licence gives you 7 nights to do a transit, why not explore more places rather than blast through. Not being a mobo person I don't know your boat and if it's petrol or diesel. I researched all the places you could get petrol on the Calley (not many) and took a trolley to carry the fuel cans, only to find we managed to sail most of Loch Ness both ways and some of Loch Lochy so managed with the fuel we carried without having to take a hike.

With a small boat it's normal to walk the boat through the staircase locks.

How many days it takes depends a lot on tide times and when you can enter the sea lock to start your passage.

 

[Phil_boat]

Sounds like an ace trip. We’re on the Clyde and want to get as far up the west coast as we can. Unfortunately not retired so less flexible than you!

We’re also a petrol (outboard) boat and think fuel needs a fair bit of planning, sounds like you’re on it though.

Good luck!

My brief look at Savvy Navvy showed their charts very lacking for one location if you’re relying on it for your nav. It may be an isolated thing but compared to Navionics it seemed to be missing a fair bit of detail.

 

[Concerto]

Oh wow! Yes I am retired, so once I start this journey, I have no rush or timescale to finish, I will work around the weather, regularly checking windy, boatie and more, including listening to the daily shipping forecasts.

We love our wee house, here's a little pic looking at it from the loch.

I was hoping for at least 3 weeks to do this, if it takes more, so be it, this is a once in a lifetime trip for me, and one I have wanted to do for years

View attachment 203472

My round Britain trip was my big trip I had always wanted to do. I thought enjoyed being in Orkney, Fair Isle and Shetland, so much so that in a few years time I plan to return. Next year I am planning a round Ireland trip and another year or two, the return to the Western Isles and northern islands, returning via the Caledonian canal. By then I will be in my mid 70's and start to reduced my distance sailing.

After your trip I would certainly suggest the Western Isles and northern islands for a future trip. Very worthwhile with so many places to visit and berthing in many of the small marinas is so cheap. In 2022 my 10m yacht cost just £15 per night including electricity, but Fair Isle was £20 for up to 4 nights!

Hope you are finding all the advice about your trip worthwhile.

 

[RobBradley]

mmm…. It’s not Crinan or Caledonian! There are definitely nice bits but theres sections which are more industrial heritage than rolling hills, and some which are more urban scheme than country estate! It’s not bad but I’m not convinced it’s where I’d take a nice cruiser like yours - shopping trolleys, weed, rough lock walls, etc. I live essentially on it so it’s not like I hate it - but I don’t see pretty boats motoring around.

But probably the main drawback is you can’t go from Glasgow to Edinburgh and get out into the sea - the Union Canal from Falkirk to Edinburgh is (and always has been) a dead end.

Surely you go out to sea at Grangemouth Sea Lock? Thats what the map says

 

[RobBradley]

Sounds like an ace trip. We’re on the Clyde and want to get as far up the west coast as we can. Unfortunately not retired so less flexible than you!

We’re also a petrol (outboard) boat and think fuel needs a fair bit of planning, sounds like you’re on it though.

Good luck!

My brief look at Savvy Navvy showed their charts very lacking for one location if you’re relying on it for your nav. It may be an isolated thing but compared to Navionics it seemed to be missing a fair bit of detail.

Thanks, yeah Petrol too.

Thankfully fully retired at 53! And loving it

For nav, I always have Imray charts for the area I am boating in, and I have all of Scotland covered! I always plan on a paper map first, and use that for my charting, I much prefer charts

 

[dunedin]

Surely you go out to sea at Grangemouth Sea Lock? Thats what the map says

Yes the Forth / Clyde Canal goes to the Falkirk Wheel and exit to the River Forth. In your original post you mentioned going to Edinburgh - which you could do (slowly) via the Wheel and the Union Canal, but then would need to retrace route back to Falkirk.
I assume you meant visiting Edinburgh via the river and Port Edgar marina or Granton

 

[dunedin]

Thanks, yeah Petrol too.

Thankfully fully retired at 53! And loving it

For nav, I always have Imray charts for the area I am boating in, and I have all of Scotland covered! I always plan on a paper map first, and use that for my charting, I much prefer charts

Most of Imray’s paper charts are very small scale - typically 1:150,000 or even 1:200,000+, unless you get their Folios. You will need much more detailed charts to enjoy visiting the smaller places.
Although you prefer paper, most people recommend getting a set of the amazingly detailed Antares Charts, which are only available as digital raster charts. This is often run on MemoryMap for All app, in which case worth also buying a full set of UKHO raster charts (circa £25) as these are often if a larger scale than the Imray paper charts.
In combination Imray paper plus UKHO and Antares raster charts are the perfect combination.

 

[RobBradley]

Yes the Forth / Clyde Canal goes to the Falkirk Wheel and exit to the River Forth. In your original post you mentioned going to Edinburgh - which you could do (slowly) via the Wheel and the Union Canal, but then would need to retrace route back to Falkirk.
I assume you meant visiting Edinburgh via the river and Port Edgar marina or Granton

Ah, sorry, my bad, yes, I meant out and around to Edinburgh marina, should have been a bit more specific!

 

[RunAgroundHard]

... will be subscribing to Savy Navvy ...

Savvy Navy is not the best Navigation App for the WestCoast of Scotland. They have not installed a layer of data that shows fish farms and other man made data. They are supposed to be correcting this. You would be better off using Garmin Boating App (Navionics) and Memory Map with the UK Raster chart folio downloaded. On Memory Maps you can then install Antares Charts which give great detail for many anchorages that would still be relevant for a small motorboat.

Navionics Boating App | Charts and maps | Garmin Technology
Memory-Map Outdoor Navigation Apps | Ordnance Survey | Hema Maps – Memory-Map GPS Mapping Apps for PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android. Navigate with topographic maps or nautical charts offline. Download it free today.
Antares Charts
https://forecast.predictwind.com/register/change/package

I would install on two devices so you have a back up device. Navionics will give you tide data as well, both height and current. My preference for weather is Predict Wind, I now using the free version.

 

[RobBradley]

Savvy Navy is not the best Navigation App for the WestCoast of Scotland. They have not installed a layer of data that shows fish farms and other man made data. They are supposed to be correcting this. You would be better off using Garmin Boating App (Navionics) and Memory Map with the UK Raster chart folio downloaded. On Memory Maps you can then install Antares Charts which give great detail for many anchorages that would still be relevant for a small motorboat.

Navionics Boating App | Charts and maps | Garmin Technology
Memory-Map Outdoor Navigation Apps | Ordnance Survey | Hema Maps – Memory-Map GPS Mapping Apps for PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android. Navigate with topographic maps or nautical charts offline. Download it free today.
Antares Charts
https://forecast.predictwind.com/register/change/package

I would install on two devices so you have a back up device. Navionics will give you tide data as well, both height and current. My preference for weather is Predict Wind, I now using the free version.

Nice, thank you, good job I have not yet taken out a subscription with them! Good to know. I will have my iPad Pro with me and my iPhone 15 pro, so hopefully that will be enough? Dash board is not big enough for a digital chart!

 

[ylop]

Surely you go out to sea at Grangemouth Sea Lock? Thats what the map says

Yes but it’s not what your drawing or description says.

 

[RobBradley]

Yes but it’s not what your drawing or description says.

I drew the map before I saw where the exit was!

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Certainly a packed itinerary for the timescale. Have you allowed for any delays for weather or repairs? Having sailed single handed round Britain, I know your biggest problem will be getting fuel, especially between Edinburgh and Peterhead. In lots of places fuel may be available locally, but not at the shore side. Having cans is essential, but moving them when full will be a problem. Diesel will be more readily available than petrol. My advice would be to check what fuel is available at every planned stop.

If you use the link in my signature to my About Me page, you will find links to the daily written posts I made on this forum and videos on YouTube. There is plenty of information that may be of interest to you covering the area you are planning to cruise.

Do post your experiences of the trip as others will find it useful in the future.

Best of luck.

Having cans (two at least) plus a folding luggage trolley. Lugging two 4 gallon 12kg cans a mile from a filling station is tiring and I have the stretched arms to remind me, though in Ireland some passing tractor gave me a lift. Still a pain with a trolley but better

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Savvy Navy is not the best Navigation App for the WestCoast of Scotland. They have not installed a layer of data that shows fish farms and other man made data. They are supposed to be correcting this. You would be better off using Garmin Boating App (Navionics) and Memory Map with the UK Raster chart folio downloaded. On Memory Maps you can then install Antares Charts which give great detail for many anchorages that would still be relevant for a small motorboat.

Navionics Boating App | Charts and maps | Garmin Technology
Memory-Map Outdoor Navigation Apps | Ordnance Survey | Hema Maps – Memory-Map GPS Mapping Apps for PC, Mac, iPhone, iPad, Android. Navigate with topographic maps or nautical charts offline. Download it free today.
Antares Charts
https://forecast.predictwind.com/register/change/package

I would install on two devices so you have a back up device. Navionics will give you tide data as well, both height and current. My preference for weather is Predict Wind, I now using the free version.

Nice, thank you, good job I have not yet taken out a subscription with them! Good to know. I will have my iPad Pro with me and my iPhone 15 pro, so hopefully that will be enough? Dash board is not big enough for a digital chart!

I need to correct my statement about Savvy Navvy. I have checked Savvy Navvy on a phone and the charts have been updated with the additional layer of data. Now man made features are shown, such as fish farms and height below power cables. Therefore, there is no reason not to use Savyy Navvy.

 

[steve yates]

Get one of those old grannies shopping trollies, the foldable ones. Take the bag off it.
Then you can go inland a mile or so for fuel with your canisters tied onto the trolley if needs be.
Damn sight easier than humping them back by hand

 

[steve yates]

Duh, didn’t realise there was a second page and this advice was already suggested.

 

[The Q]

If you are going round Skye I'd go a little further out to the east coasts of Na h-Eileanan Siar, though fuel might be a problem.
I've sailed Uibhist a Deas to An t- Eilean Sgitheanac, ( and back) and on a different boat from Ulapul to Blyth over the top..
Also sailed a little on the Firth of Forth as that where most of the immediate family live in sight of..

 

[Baddox]

North of Edinburgh you have the tidally restricted and very sheltered harbour at Arbroath. We called in there this year on the way up the east coast en route west. After that it was a about a 65 mile sail to Peterhead, we didn't stop at Stonehaven but it was another option. Bypassing Aberdeen which mainly caters for commercial shipping.

From Peterhead around Rattray Head was benign for us despite its reputation. Check your tides and weather well there, if you've boated on the west you'll already understand what to look for or avoid.

Heading west towards Inverness there are a few small harbours, some more amenable to pleasure craft than others. Whitehills and Lossiemouth, two of the ports you'll see between Peterhead and Inverness are welcoming if a little short of visitor space. Your boat's shallow draft and modest length will help there and at some of the other small harbours you'll pass.

You will find refuelling a challenge with a petrol engine and will need a lot. Even at 15knots you’ll likely be burning through more than a 5 gallon tank/hour. Transporting several full tanks to the boat will be a pain even for short distances and most ports don't have petrol pumps so you'll have to walk or taxi to a petrol station.

We had the idea to sail around the UK starting in early spring through summer and early autumn but soon realised the more we rush the less we would see. Your journey looks very optimistic and even if the weather is kind and all goes well you’ll miss so much. If you’ve just retired and have the time then can you plan to take longer? If you’re still restricted to a month, consider a shorter trip, either breaking the journey into legs where you can start again in the future or pick a less ambitious route so you don’t have to rush.

Good luck.

 

[RobBradley]

Having cans (two at least) plus a folding luggage trolley. Lugging two 4 gallon 12kg cans a mile from a filling station is tiring and I have the stretched arms to remind me, though in Ireland some passing tractor gave me a lift. Still a pain with a trolley but better

I will have a collapsable trolley for the jerry cans, would be stupid not to, I know how much they weigh full! lol