Orkney & Shetland passage advice

[Clydewanderer]

Planning a cruise from Clyde to above via Caledonia canal. Plan to depart Wick and passage to Kirkwall via east of Muckle skerry and Sandy riddle. What the sailing guides don't tell is how far east of these places we need to go to avoid the roosts and races/overalls in pentland firth. Can anyone give me advice on this passage? Cw

 

[srm]

I have done this passage a few times. The Sandy Riddle is the product of the tide race down stream of the Pentland Skerries ( marked by 12kn spring tide arrows on the old fathom charts). How far off depends on what the tide and wind is doing on the day. However, I would aim for a minimum of a mile east of the 20 m contour on tail of the Sandy Riddle and more if conditions are lively. Also, much depends on your boat and how macho the crew is.

Most of my sailing was based in Shetland, then Orkney for many years, including running "Shetland Isles Charters" in the 80's. I had two rules of thumb:

Firstly, advice given by a Shetland fisherman before my first passage around the Heads (Sumburgh and Fitfull), "with the tide and three miles off". I have found the three mile off rule keeps me out of the rough stuff on many headlands, not just the "Heads". However, if on approach conditions look favourable I can always cut the corner a bit.

Secondly, I regarded the large format "Admiralty Tidal Stream Atlas" for Orkney and Shetland as indispensable and far more use than the wordy cruising guides. This publication allowed me to identify the critical areas with high speed streams (and potential overfalls). I then planned my passage to cross these areas at near slack water, and as far as possible keep a favourable tide throughout the passage. We are all familiar with the fun that wind against tide can create, but also be aware of tide against swell in the sounds, especially on the west side of the islands.

Once past the mouth of the Firth it can also get a bit bumpy off Copinsay and the Mull Head. It will be advisable to ensure that you have the tide with you through "The String" , the narrow approach to Kirkwall Bay.

I have posted some other comments about sailing Orkney and Shetland in the thread: "Orkney to Shetland and Back" also in this forum.
Orkney to Shetland (and back)!

I hope your cruise goes well, it can be a challenging cruising area but many find it rewarding.

 

[Minchsailor]

I have done this southbound.

Spent the night at one of the anchorages in Holm Sound, and then aimed to be about 1.5-2 miles east of the Pentland Skerries. Weather was benign (full sail in close reach), but the waters were very disturbed and swirly. Often we were not going in the direction in which the bows were pointing. Would not like to be there in rough weather or at night.

As @srm say, the Tidal Atlas is indispensable in this part of the world.

 

[srm]

and then aimed to be about 1.5-2 miles east of the Pentland Skerries.

Looks as if you crossed the end of the Sandy Riddle. It can get lively there with more than just those big dark swirls, but fine in benign conditions and not too much tide running.

 

[Clydewanderer]

Thanks all for your replay. SRM do you mean NP209 tidal atlas when you say "large scale"?
Cw

 

[srm]

Yes, NP209 is the one. I just needed reminding of the number.
In fact when I started sailing in the islands I only had the charts and NP109 to work with. The first cruising guides (I think by the CCC) came out a few years later.

 

[Clydewanderer]

Yes, NP209 is the one. I just needed reminding of the number.
In fact when I started sailing in the islands I only had the charts and NP109 to work with. The first cruising guides (I think by the CCC) came out a few years later.

Yes got 209. Thanks for your replies. Cw