New Moorings on Rum

[Humblebee]

Ten new visitor moorings have been laid in Loch Scresort, Rum. There is an honesty box for payments at the Information Centre just along the path from the old jetty. The moorings are east of the usual anchoring ground which is thus still available to those who prefer to anchor.

 

[Hial]

Good to know as I hope to visit in the autumn.

 

[dunedin]

I am generally a supporter of having visitor moorings in most places - particularly where space is limited, depth too deep or holding too poor for anchoring.

However Rum seems a bad place for visitor moorings for two reasons:
- there is a huge area of great anchoring with constant depths and good grip, easiest of places to anchor IF the wind is from the right direction
- for people without the experience / confidence to anchor in such an easy place, they are liable to think a mooring being there it is suitable to use in most conditions - but the moorings will also be horribly exposed in any wind from the East, and rolly in many other conditions
So these won’t help the moderately experience visitors, and potentially lead to problems with the less experienced (like my similar worry about the exposed new moorings on Tiree).

 

[Ohlin Karcher]

I am generally a supporter of having visitor moorings in most places - particularly where space is limited, depth too deep or holding too poor for anchoring.

However Rum seems a bad place for visitor moorings for two reasons:
- there is a huge area of great anchoring with constant depths and good grip, easiest of places to anchor IF the wind is from the right direction
- for people without the experience / confidence to anchor in such an easy place, they are liable to think a mooring being there it is suitable to use in most conditions - but the moorings will also be horribly exposed in any wind from the East, and rolly in many other conditions
So these won’t help the moderately experience visitors, and potentially lead to problems with the less experienced (like my similar worry about the exposed new moorings on Tiree).

I've anchored there and I agree with that, definitely not a place to get trapped, and I was slightly on the qui vive that night. Poised for movement at short notice.

 

[Minchsailor]

I agree with @Dunedin on this. Loch Scresort must be one of the easiest places to anchor- moderate depths, excellent sticky mud, lack of weed (try finding a weed free patch in Canna).

I believe the moorings have been provided by the fish farm guys; possibly a sop to the local community?.

 

[Sea song]

Do wish that sailing crusties would stop dishing visitor mooring and, shall we say less confident sailors. Yes they are correct, there is plenty of good holding around the bay but there are also a number of unmarked underground cables and snags. Twice in the past Ive helped boats with fouled anchors in Loch Scresort. One required myself and a pal to dive down with scuba gear.
Im perfectly happy on anchor but on a dark wild night sleep is definitely helped if you know your attached to something properly solid.
Also, good on west highland communities to encourage visitors, even if they dont necessarily meet that experience mark that some of our brethren require.