Overnighting onboard in Scotland

[wully1]

From Farce-boak... Best you do your own homework on this.

The Scottish Government has clarified the position on overnight wild camping which is applicable in its interpretation for overnight at anchor on a boat.

Our understanding is that wild camping and consequently staying overnight aboard at anchor is not prohibited under the 'stay local' guidance. Both are however, being discouraged and people are asked to wait a little longer until businesses and other facilities reopen and are able to welcome them properly.

If you are considering overnighting at anchor, please do so responsibly and with consideration for others, the local environment and community and bear in mind restrictions on sharing accommodation mean only your household or extended household can stay aboard.

Marinas and moorings remain closed to visiting yachts and are expected to open along with tourist accommodation from 26 April 2021.

On Tuesday, the First Minister has provided an unexpected update on COVID-19 and related travel restrictions. This will allow travel for informal physical activity, but not for organised sport.
Travel for organised activity (cruise in company, racing or training) for adults remains restricted to the local authority area you live in.
We suggest that individuals coordinate between themselves opportunities to share informal physical activity. Existing restrictions for meeting others outdoors (6 people from up to 6 households) and physical distancing still apply and remain in place until 26 April.

 

[dunedin]

The text above is from RYA Scotland, not yet on their Covid web page, but accessible vis RYA Scotland home page - RYA Scotland

So those of us who like anchoring, and don‘t need to use marina facilities (having holding tanks, hot showers etc on board) are good to go !

Where’s my tide tables for the Mull ........

 

[JumbleDuck]

From the Scottish Government's take on the rules:

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Why would a mooring remain closed due to Covid? In what way does mooring represent an increase in probability of Covid transmission compared to an anchor?

 

[ProDave]

So I could anchor in Highland area and legally sleep on the boat. But cross the Firth and Anchor off the Moray coast for the night I would be breaking the law?

 

[JumbleDuck]

So I could anchor in Highland area and legally sleep on the boat. But cross the Firth and Anchor off the Moray coast for the night I would be breaking the law?

On the face of it, yes, but with the refernce to wild camping perhaps there is a legal loophole about not staying in a house other than your normal one.

 

[wully1]

So I could anchor in Highland area and legally sleep on the boat. But cross the Firth and Anchor off the Moray coast for the night I would be breaking the law?

Always the glass half empty....

 

[JumbleDuck]

Update: According to the BBC today

 

[cpedw]

From the Scottish Government's take on the rules:

Is it just me? I can't make any sense of the brackets in the last bullet point. Is there a plain English version somewhere for an Argyll resident?

 

[wully1]

Is it just me? I can't make any sense of the brackets in the last bullet point. Is there a plain English version somewhere for an Argyll resident?

Ooch well now, It’s chust the same for Coll and Tiree ass it ‘tis for the folk in Oban and the itthir cities in Argyll. The wife was chust saying how nice Tiree iss in this weather - it’s been awfae dry this past wee while but we’re due some rain soon.......(insert a good hour talking about the weather lately..)

 

[ctva]

So the tactic appears to be to confuse everyone and hope the majority are too scared of plod to do anything...?

 

[Snowgoose-1]

I like it . Wild Sailing. New term for cruising but not use marinas .picking up mooring for might semi wild sailing.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Is it just me? I can't make any sense of the brackets in the last bullet point. Is there a plain English version somewhere for an Argyll resident?

It means that the Level 3 and Level 4 parts of Highland and Argyll & Bute council areas are to be treated as different, so someone from Oban (A&B L4) should not overnight in Tobermory (A&B L3) but can do so in Crinan (A&B L4).

Similarly, someone from Skye (Highland, L4) is fine to overnight in Inverness (Highland, L4) but not on Eigg (Highland, L3).

Here's the list of affected islands, inter alia:

 

[Bilgediver]

One day we will have a level playing field. Meanwhile we had better make sure our data account is fully paid up and we have signal to see where we can anchor with or without the bit on the side as we circumnavigate God's Country, whilst obeying SWMBO down the bottom of The Royal Mile.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

It means that ...

Thanks JD for taking the time to review and post that information.

 

[cpedw]

It means that the Level 3 and Level 4 parts of Highland and Argyll & Bute council areas are to be treated as different, so someone from Oban (A&B L4) should not overnight in Tobermory (A&B L3) but can do so in Crinan (A&B L4).

Similarly, someone from Skye (Highland, L4) is fine to overnight in Inverness (Highland, L4) but not on Eigg (Highland, L3).

Thanks for that interpretation though I can't see how you reached it. Can I ask a supplementary?

Can I (A&B 4) overnight in Sunart (Highland 4) or am I restricted to other A&B 4s?

 

[JumbleDuck]

Thanks for that interpretation though I can't see how you reached it. Can I ask a supplementary?

Can I (A&B 4) overnight in Sunart (Highland 4) or am I restricted to other A&B 4s?

IANAL but no, I don't think you can. Since you live in a L4 area of A&B you can overnight in any L4 area of A&B but not in a L3 area of A&B or any area of any other council area. If it helps, think of Argyll and Bute (L3), Argyll and Bute (L4), Highland (L3) and Highland (L4) as four distinct council areas and treat them accordingly. With a bit of luck it's only for another week or so.

 

[adwuk]

Better stay close to the Kintyre shore when venturing down the Kilbrannan Sound then

 

[stephen_h]

So what does this mean for us sassanachs that want to cross the border and visit the bonny islands?

 

[cpedw]

IANAL but no, I don't think you can. Since you live in a L4 area of A&B you can overnight in any L4 area of A&B but not in a L3 area of A&B or any area of any other council area. If it helps, think of Argyll and Bute (L3), Argyll and Bute (L4), Highland (L3) and Highland (L4) as four distinct council areas and treat them accordingly. With a bit of luck it's only for another week or so.

I think you're right. I have finally (I think) got my head round the paragraph. I think it means:

• you can travel anywhere in Scotland to meet others for the above purposes - but you must not stay away from your local council area overnight . For this rule,Highland level 3, Highland level 4, Argyll 3 and Argyll 4 should all be treated as separate local council areas.

All a bit academic as we don't get launched until next week. By the time the boat is sorted, the rules will be different and hopefully more free.