Portpatrick in the news...
- Thread starter bikedaft
- Start date
D
Deleted member 36384
Guest
Bikedaft, your OP as a leader to entice people to read further, what is a very interesting story, could have been a bit more dramatic.
A great story about a community buy out, changes to the law, uncompromising land owners, zero imagination dick head councils and a community galvanised by one man.
Great effort Portpatrick citizens. A harbour saved, new facilities, all through a community share issue.
A great story about a community buy out, changes to the law, uncompromising land owners, zero imagination dick head councils and a community galvanised by one man.
Great effort Portpatrick citizens. A harbour saved, new facilities, all through a community share issue.
JimC
Well-Known Member
I was in there in July and the place was buzzing, so much so that it was verging on rowdy in the evening. There were visiting yachts rafted three deep all along the East wall including a large contingent from N. Ireland. The Harbour Master was friendly and free with advice re tides etc. All good.
Seajet
...
There is another facet to Portpatricks' problems to now; and I salute the locals.
At BAe I often attended Harrier trials at the nearby West Freugh test range; these trials could last up to two months a time, and whenever possible we chose to stay at the Crown hotel or the Fernhill - quite a few people all on generous expenses.
RAF crews did the same.
So that was a very good steady income to the area as well as those hotels ( which were excellent BTW ).
Then a while ago - I left in 93, it wasn't long after that - the Range stopped working as an aircraft base; the actual range with radar and kine theodolite tracking cameras is still available, but aircraft have to fly past from and returning to somewhere else, like Warton.
So that's say 12 groundcrew and 8 engineers missing from regularly staying in the hotels, between the various BAe and RAF tasks that was probably amost year round - we loved Portatrick and often mention it, wondering how the locals are faring.
Thanks for posting this, I shall tell my chums - and all the best of luck to the locals.
At BAe I often attended Harrier trials at the nearby West Freugh test range; these trials could last up to two months a time, and whenever possible we chose to stay at the Crown hotel or the Fernhill - quite a few people all on generous expenses.
RAF crews did the same.
So that was a very good steady income to the area as well as those hotels ( which were excellent BTW ).
Then a while ago - I left in 93, it wasn't long after that - the Range stopped working as an aircraft base; the actual range with radar and kine theodolite tracking cameras is still available, but aircraft have to fly past from and returning to somewhere else, like Warton.
So that's say 12 groundcrew and 8 engineers missing from regularly staying in the hotels, between the various BAe and RAF tasks that was probably amost year round - we loved Portatrick and often mention it, wondering how the locals are faring.
Thanks for posting this, I shall tell my chums - and all the best of luck to the locals.
[448]
...
It would be a good idea to install some kind of gate for the inner harbour. Even in summer, entrance to the port is nigh on impossible in strong winds between SW and NW, and the inner harbour is very uncomfortable and even damaging in those conditions. How do I know that?
Excellent news!
Excellent news!
Last edited:
Seajet
...
Yes, I often watched the entrance from my room window at The Crown and thought ' Yikes ! '
JimC
Well-Known Member
Not like that when I was there in July. Here's a photo I took of the entrance 2 hours before LW which is when you have to leave to get round the Mull of Galloway at slack. I know it can be awful though.
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
Ha! My opportunity to show a postcard of Portpatrick bought by a club member. The four yachts rafted on the far side are some of the North West Venturers YC summer cruise of either 1989 or 1990. We are the outer one, Airy Fairy, our first cruising yacht.
That is my back that can be seen, chatting to Jimmy on Aquayla, the boat next to us. Edit for clarification: It's not my back that is chatting, it is my front.
That is my back that can be seen, chatting to Jimmy on Aquayla, the boat next to us. Edit for clarification: It's not my back that is chatting, it is my front.
Last edited:
Seajet
...
The grey mobo on the right is the West Freugh Trials Range Safety / Patrol boat.
Depending on what's being dropped or fired ( marine weapons / things are tested as well as stuff from aircraft ) the Range uses Luce Bay as well as the land inshore to the north-east.
Depending on what's being dropped or fired ( marine weapons / things are tested as well as stuff from aircraft ) the Range uses Luce Bay as well as the land inshore to the north-east.
Last edited:
dgadee
Well-Known Member
But those ladders at low water springs! And that toilet for use overnight. I can't quite see it becoming another Lymington Yacht Haven. The crew currently refuses to go there.
PeteCooper
Well-Known Member
That's luxury!
A lot of the harbours that we used to visit on the East coast had steps cut in the harbour wall and a chain dangling down.
Spyro
Well-Known Member
I'd say they are doing ok, we were there in July and stayed in a b&b up the hill. All the hotels on the front ( and they aren't cheap) were fully booked all weekend.
Seajet
...
The Fernhill - in the middle of the front up a hill - always advertised as a ' Golf Hotel ' and was just a touch more formal than The Crown - the rooms and food were excellent at both, the fillet steak in whisky & cream sauce, and the surf & turf, at the Crown were legendary; whenever anyone was brave enough to order the seafood platter he was handed a toolkit Snap-On would be proud of,a ginormous platter and still at it long after we had finished and gathered round to watch. 
TSB240
Well-Known Member
There was only one or maybe two things to dislike about Port Patrick. Pigeons and their holes. You need to visit to understand. Wonderful place as long as you get out if warned. Oh and keep your cabin closed or risk them pesky birds giving you a visit.....
steve yates
Well-Known Member
Thats a shame, its a really characterful little harbour, with an extremely knowledgeable and helpful harbourmaster. Much removed from a marina experience and so much the better for it. Tying up to townquays and harbour walls is my preferred berthing, makes me feel like a proper visitor to the community the harbour serves.
Seajet
...
Last edited:
claymore
Well-Known Member
I think you are talking about the Red-Legged Guillemots that nest in the harbour walls. Quite rare birds and wonderful to watch - they have cousins over in Bangor Marina where they accommodated them by slinging drainage pipes horizontally along the Marina wall
TSB240
Well-Known Member
I am not mistaken these were most definitely Pigeons. They would give you one hell of a scare when you were climbing up or down a ladder and decided to exit their hiding holes at Mach 2 or more. I hate the bloody things probably because as a child I was woken at Sparrow fart every morning by them. They used to roost overnight in a huge yew tree outside my bedroom. More recently I had a northern Irish neighbour who would encourage them to feed at her bird table who described them as "Doves". The only place for them is in a "Pie". Never saw a Guillemot whilst we were there.
claymore
Well-Known Member
Aah
apologies for doubting your ornithological expertise....
apologies for doubting your ornithological expertise....
steve yates
Well-Known Member
Definitely pigeons, one exploded out of a hole as I went up the ladder on my first visit and I nearly ended up in the water in fright!
