Proposed West Scotland Itinerary

[uxb]

I certainly hope to have enough time so I will not have to rush.

It would be a shame if you had to rush and missed out on some of the really nice spots up here.

 

[Ship's Cat]

Mutinous bunch will need placatiing

Greetings from the soft southern jessie's so maligned by Rommel in the early postings and thank you for the wonderful advice. Personally I am now counting the days.
The additional activities we requested are actually more on the walking/drinking/photography spectrum than the shopping/salon impression given by our illustrious leader. It should perhaps be noted that the crew has more of a need for a hair-dryer than the skipper......

 

[awol]

Ok, that's quite enough of that. I'm with Claymore in that the west of Scotland is a dire unwelcoming place, lousy weather, voracious midges that are guaranteed to have a bonanza year after last year's quiet time, wind farms sprouting out the water and hills, fish farms blocking every anchorage, a national shortage of beer, and don't mention the natives scrounging off the unwary tourists.
The Solent in comparison is a haven of peace with its welcoming marinas, well marked navigational hazards (did I mention the moving Scottish rocks?), friendly sailors always close at hand and, of course, the stunning scenery which is never shrouded in drizzly cloud.
No more, please, of this misleading rubbish about the fictitious joys of the north - it's all a ploy to fleece the unwary of their hard earned money.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

.....a national shortage of beer......

The shortage of beer isn't a problem - getting a decent pint's the problem! They all serve this gassy CO2 driven stuff.

 

[oldbilbo]

The shortage of beer isn't a problem - getting a decent pint's the problem! They all serve this gassy CO2 driven stuff.

Shouldn't be drinking gassy beer while in sight of Islay....

 

[aquaplane]

I'll vote for that.

Been sampling Tobermory tonight though.

 

[Uricanejack]

The shortage of beer isn't a problem - getting a decent pint's the problem! They all serve this gassy CO2 driven stuff.

I've heard it said(in Glasgow)"There's nothing worse than a heillin pint".

Of course I was usually the only one drinking a pint in most of the crowded highland hotel bars. they usualy only had one variety of lager and one heavy both rarely ordered and possible a bit stale. about 16 different varieties of bar whisky even more malts, a Bottle of Rum for the old Bosun in the corner, And a bottle of gin just in case on of the toffs stops in after shooting.

You wanted anything else you were out of luck

I spent most of my child hood waiting out side regularly plied with coke and crisps. The dog was allowed in but not me. Apparently he worked for a living and I didn't.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Akshully, if one reads into the writings of the Elder von Moltke, it becomes clear that he recognises the imperative for flexibility and change as events unfold, and encourages the planning - or at least thoughtful consideration - of all reasonable developments so that the best course can continue to be followed, whatever emerges.

So the SOLAS V exhortation to 'have a plan' should really be 'have a sheaf of plans and switch among them as change ( weather, interests, opportunity ) dictates'. This seems to be exactly what the OP is doing...

Very true Robert but when I say dont make a plan I mean over a period of days or weeks!!.....I take every day as it comes and make a plan for that day and also plan an escape route for that day if necessary. If you set a plan over a week or so you will find yourself trying to achieve it and at times pushing your luck. I spent too many years as a lifeboat cox bringing home those that thought they knew better!!

Wise words, and backed up by your individual most significant experience.

My own wee trip from Loch Ewe to Largs and back in June/July will be built around that advice - but it would be jolly frustrating to set-off and then not get there !

 

[Romeo]

Ok, that's quite enough of that. I'm with Claymore in that the west of Scotland is a dire unwelcoming place, lousy weather, voracious midges that are guaranteed to have a bonanza year after last year's quiet time, wind farms sprouting out the water and hills, fish farms blocking every anchorage, a national shortage of beer, and don't mention the natives scrounging off the unwary tourists.
The Solent in comparison is a haven of peace with its welcoming marinas, well marked navigational hazards (did I mention the moving Scottish rocks?), friendly sailors always close at hand and, of course, the stunning scenery which is never shrouded in drizzly cloud.
No more, please, of this misleading rubbish about the fictitious joys of the north - it's all a ploy to fleece the unwary of their hard earned money.

You forgot to mention that a fair amount of the highland scenery is now on fire, and that the water shortage on Mull has led to whisky distilling being brought to a halt. Everyone must be hoping it will start to pish doon again soon.

 

[uxb]

The rain and wind has just come on here so they will be able to fire up the stills on Monday.