Proposed West Scotland Itinerary

richgiddens said:
Hi All,
lucky enough to have a ten day charter on the west coast end of May, beginning of June. It'll be my third visit and, because we've got a reasonable amount of time, we're intending to venture west of the Firth of Clyde. (Lovely though it is)
I've bought myself some of the CCC publications (all excellent) and put together a tentative plan. I've had a look at the tides and it all seems feasible(ish).
I was wondering whether someone with a bit more experience than me in the area could run their eye over it and see what they reckon.
What I'm really after is stuff along the lines of, 'you don't want to go there, it's full of Englishmen on charter'.
Anyway, here it is:
Sat- evening leave Largs anchor somewhere in the Kyles
Sun- Crinan, maybe get part way through
Mon- finish Crinan and through Sound of Luing to Loch Spelve
Tues- Tobermory
Wed- Tobermory
Thurs- Pool of the Otter (apologies to you Gaelic speakers, I've tried but I just can't!)
Fri- Crinan to Tarbert (too optimistic?)
Sat- Tarbert
Sun- Lochranza or maybe Lamlash
Mon- Largs
Tues- Back to The Smoke and jellied eels etc.
Please feel free to laugh this out of court or make any suggestions / comments, helpful or otherwise.
Thanks in advance.
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Hi all,
many thanks for all the advice; even the, 'if I were you, I wouldn't start from here' variety! We booked the boat out of Largs a while back, the logistics from London being much easier. Might well go from Oban next time though.
As expected, I'm now completely lost as to what to do which, up there, is half the fun. The advice to, 'get up in the morning, see what the weather's doing, point somewhere and find a nice anchorage sums up holiday cruising really.
Also like the ' beer off, lots of midges etc' post. I posted something similar after my first trip to the Clyde so it wouldn't get overpopulated with holiday sailors like me.
Right, books out again tonight for round two.
Cheers,
Rich
 
richgiddens said:
Hi all,
many thanks for all the advice; even the, 'if I were you, I wouldn't start from here' variety! We booked the boat out of Largs a while back, the logistics from London being much easier. Might well go from Oban next time though.
As expected, I'm now completely lost as to what to do which, up there, is half the fun. The advice to, 'get up in the morning, see what the weather's doing, point somewhere and find a nice anchorage sums up holiday cruising really.
Also like the ' beer off, lots of midges etc' post. I posted something similar after my first trip to the Clyde so it wouldn't get overpopulated with holiday sailors like me.
Right, books out again tonight for round two.
Cheers,
Rich
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Whatever you decide, I hope the weather in kind and you have a great trip - and the planning is half the fun.
 
richgiddens said:
...
Right, books out again tonight for round two...
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You're probably getting sick of suggestions by now, but if your crew / friends are not just interested in the process of sailing then what there is to do once you arrive somewhere is a real factor. So here are some things which can be interesting ashore but yet can best be appreciated by having a boat:

Crinan canal. I found that working the locks was considered really good fun by all ages, so I advocate this on the way out - way out since it allows everyone to get used to living aboard while not being definitively at sea. Hiring bicycles is possible at Adrishaig although you have somehow to get them back there (they don't pick up from Crinan). On bicycle there is ancient forest to explore as well as standing stones and other prehistoric sites. It allows the energetic to be so, the culture vultures to look at history and others to go to myriad pubs without having to stay in a gaggle.

The sound of Luing is really attractive and quite dramatic due to the two lighthouses on either side with almost certain sightings of dolphins and seals. However I might then turn south, possibly to W Loch Tarbert on Jura. Alternatively a passage via the Corryvreckan is 'interesting'. W Loch Tarbert on Jura is intricate and the inland sea rather charming. From it you can explore the raised beaches which are astounding, or walk from Glenbatrick to climb one or all of the Paps.

In the sound of Jura, Eilean Mor (opposite Kilmory) also has a fascinating and rather sweet little horseshoe shaped anchorage with ruins of an early chapel and a hermit's cave to explore.

Craighouse on the E side of Jura has a distillery and good walks (and a pub/hotel). If you walk far enough you can look at the cottage that George Orwell stayed in.

The whole island of Giga is wonderful and you and your crew will enjoy exploring it. A really peaceful place, albeit that maybe is more important for family crews. Take poster paints to decorate a stone with your boat's name and add it to the pile (ok, I was there with children...)

The distilleries on Islay are famous and worth visiting and the intricate pilotage to get right up to Ardbeg and Lagavullin will appeal to sailors and whisky lovers alike.

From there, back round the Mull is straight-forward (have you considered one night passage? If so, this is probably the one to do).
 
For what it's worth, I'd say your itinerary is not too bad, but I'd agree with others that you shouldn't discount going round the Mull either out or back. If people want something other than sailing, Gigha is perfect, and beautiful, as long as the wind's not coming from the east. If it looks good when you leave Largs, head for Campbeltown first night and round the Mull from there. While many will slate the toon as nothing to see, there is a great leisure centre (lovely showers), the pub at the top of the pontoon is now a cracker, and it's an easy start to the holiday. Round to Gigha the next day gives you a great trip and another break from sailing if people want to explore. Heading north the range of options is endless and you can let the weather guide you. The good thing about a Largs-Campbeltown-Gigha start is that it will let everyone look at the forecast and options, and form a plan. There will be plenty of time to chat it through on the relatively straightforward and slightly longer passages. A day on the canal can be a lot of fun, but is very full on with people doing different jobs and allows little time for communal passage planning. First time we did it with friends we'd left the where-next conversation thinking we'd chat amiably as we ambled through the canal. In reality we fell out of Crinan and had a quick chat as the tides carried us north... If you're doing the whole passage plan as skipper then obviously that doesn't matter. :)

If you're coming back through the canal and want a nice treat before heading home, there's a lot to be said for a stop at Portavadie marina. I know it's a marina, I know there's nothing else there, but the restaurant has been fabulous every time I've been there, the facilities are great, and it was a very popular place to stop with part-sailing crews I've had on the way home.
 
andymcp said:
For what it's worth, I'd say your itinerary is not too bad, but I'd agree with others that you shouldn't discount going round the Mull either out or back. If people want something other than sailing, Gigha is perfect, and beautiful, as long as the wind's not coming from the east. If it looks good when you leave Largs, head for Campbeltown first night and round the Mull from there. While many will slate the toon as nothing to see, there is a great leisure centre (lovely showers), the pub at the top of the pontoon is now a cracker, and it's an easy start to the holiday. Round to Gigha the next day gives you a great trip and another break from sailing if people want to explore. Heading north the range of options is endless and you can let the weather guide you. The good thing about a Largs-Campbeltown-Gigha start is that it will let everyone look at the forecast and options, and form a plan. There will be plenty of time to chat it through on the relatively straightforward and slightly longer passages. A day on the canal can be a lot of fun, but is very full on with people doing different jobs and allows little time for communal passage planning. First time we did it with friends we'd left the where-next conversation thinking we'd chat amiably as we ambled through the canal. In reality we fell out of Crinan and had a quick chat as the tides carried us north... If you're doing the whole passage plan as skipper then obviously that doesn't matter. :)

If you're coming back through the canal and want a nice treat before heading home, there's a lot to be said for a stop at Portavadie marina. I know it's a marina, I know there's nothing else there, but the restaurant has been fabulous every time I've been there, the facilities are great, and it was a very popular place to stop with part-sailing crews I've had on the way home.
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I would agree with all of that. I hope the weather is great as it's the same week as I have off. Look out for Shearwater as we might be out west if the weather isn't favourable for Ireland.
 
andymcp said:
For what it's worth, I'd say your itinerary is not too bad, but I'd agree with others that you shouldn't discount going round the Mull either out or back. If people want something other than sailing, Gigha is perfect, and beautiful, as long as the wind's not coming from the east. If it looks good when you leave Largs, head for Campbeltown first night and round the Mull from there. While many will slate the toon as nothing to see, there is a great leisure centre (lovely showers), the pub at the top of the pontoon is now a cracker, and it's an easy start to the holiday. Round to Gigha the next day gives you a great trip and another break from sailing if people want to explore. Heading north the range of options is endless and you can let the weather guide you. The good thing about a Largs-Campbeltown-Gigha start is that it will let everyone look at the forecast and options, and form a plan. There will be plenty of time to chat it through on the relatively straightforward and slightly longer passages. A day on the canal can be a lot of fun, but is very full on with people doing different jobs and allows little time for communal passage planning. First time we did it with friends we'd left the where-next conversation thinking we'd chat amiably as we ambled through the canal. In reality we fell out of Crinan and had a quick chat as the tides carried us north... If you're doing the whole passage plan as skipper then obviously that doesn't matter. :)

If you're coming back through the canal and want a nice treat before heading home, there's a lot to be said for a stop at Portavadie marina. I know it's a marina, I know there's nothing else there, but the restaurant has been fabulous every time I've been there, the facilities are great, and it was a very popular place to stop with part-sailing crews I've had on the way home.
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Once again guys, thanks for all the advice. Not at all fed up with all the tips and info, it's given me lots of food for thought. Not least, weather allowing, gonna go around the Mull and back through the canal.
Funny you mentioning Portaverdie; went there a couple of years back. We arrived after a 4 hour beat in non stop rain not knowing much about it. I spent about an hour in the showers listening to the chillout music but I didn't use the hair straighteners! I believe The Lodge up the road is great and we're hoping to eat there this trip.
 
Forgot to say, if you do decide to drop into Portavadie make sure to call ahead and book dinner. It gets VERY popular at times and there's nowhere else to go (although they do a reduced takeaway menu you can take back to the boat).
 
After sailing up here for more years than I can remember the main bit of advice I would give is never make a plan!!.....the weather is a great leveller so just take it day by day....that way no pressure and much more enjoyable. Good luck and take care.
 
starboard said:
After sailing up here for more years than I can remember the main bit of advice I would give is never make a plan!!.....the weather is a great leveller so just take it day by day....that way no pressure and much more enjoyable. Good luck and take care.
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True, the weather is a great leveller, but surely it is wiser to have a plan, well thought-out in advance with adequate contincy-planning for just such situations (weather, sickness, gear-problems, mutiny etc etc)?
The plan doesn't need to be rigidly adhered to, but wisdom suggests that at least alternatives can be properly dealt with.
 
oldbilbo said:
"No plan survives first contact with the enemy!" - von Moltke the Elder and Bilbo.
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Perceptive, but I would think that a MAIB enquiry might see it differently!!!!

My Daddy always insisted I let him know where I was going and when I'd be back - but that was a long time ago and we're all so much more capable and sensible now as adults ourselves............................... aren't we!
 
Robert Wilson said:
Perceptive, but I would think that a MAIB enquiry might see it differently!!!!
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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...
 
oldbilbo said:
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...
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Its why on log books you record sailing "towards" rather than "to". You never know where you are going till you get there, although it is probably sensible to know where, all being well, you would like to go. I have spent a fair amount of time cruising in an engineless boat. The uncertainty of not knowing where you are going to be sleeping that night when you set off in the morning is part of the pleasure.
 
oldbilbo said:
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...
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I see myself as more of a Rommel than a von Moltke; you know loved by my crew, respected by the enemy. Anyway those helmets with the points on top get in the way of the boom!
 
I would be a bit wary of setting off round the MOK at the outset if sailing with a bunch of "where's the hairdryer" types. If the weather is really settled, yes go for it but be aware that it gives a real flavour of wild sailing,is a long day and might just lose you a bunch of mates and have the boat reeking of chunder on day one!
Treat the canal as a destination and don't be carried along by the pit lane rush that seems to prevail. Clyde to Cairnbaan is an easy first day and allows a lazy pootle through to Crinan in the morning. That leaves you poised to weigh up the conditions and either lurk around Loch Craignish, Sween, Gigha etc or tromp on up to Mull as you see fit.
Be wary of riding the flood and prevailing SW winds way up to the north west then facing a long beat to get back to Crinan or the Mull against the clock.
It's great to rack up the miles but to be honest, you will find just as lovely a spot four hours away as that one at the end of a eight hour epic.
 
Homer Simpson's Lovechild said:
I would be a bit wary of setting off round the MOK at the outset if sailing with a bunch of "where's the hairdryer" types. If the weather is really settled, yes go for it but be aware that it gives a real flavour of wild sailing,is a long day and might just lose you a bunch of mates and have the boat reeking of chunder on day one!
Treat the canal as a destination and don't be carried along by the pit lane rush that seems to prevail. Clyde to Cairnbaan is an easy first day and allows a lazy pootle through to Crinan in the morning. That leaves you poised to weigh up the conditions and either lurk around Loch Craignish, Sween, Gigha etc or tromp on up to Mull as you see fit.
Be wary of riding the flood and prevailing SW winds way up to the north west then facing a long beat to get back to Crinan or the Mull against the clock.
It's great to rack up the miles but to be honest, you will find just as lovely a spot four hours away as that one at the end of a eight hour epic.
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Again, good solid advice. Actually, I may have painted a slightly soft picture of the ladies and gents (loosest possible sense) that I'm privileged to sail with: they're all hairy ar*ed, sheet pulling, foredeck hands who also happen to require hairdryers!
 
Robert Wilson said:
True, the weather is a great leveller, but surely it is wiser to have a plan, well thought-out in advance with adequate contincy-planning for just such situations (weather, sickness, gear-problems, mutiny etc etc)?
The plan doesn't need to be rigidly adhered to, but wisdom suggests that at least alternatives can be properly dealt with.
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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!!
 
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