Re: Cruising by North East Scotland? Don't forget Lybster, Caithness. 58.17N 03.18W

[boathead]

Re: Cruising by North East Scotland? Don't forget Lybster, Caithness. 58.17N 03.18W

Following on from my 'plug' for the beautiful Harbour here at Lybster could I ask that if any of you folk do stop by please post up any comments you might have. We want to make Lybster a place cruising folk feel they can stop in at. We don't have a Harbour Master, maybe we don't need one? You can get mobile reception so you can phone the house overlooking the harbour 0n 01593 721130 or 07946 483349 if you want to head in and are unsure but it really is an easy entrance with plenty of water and plenty of turning room in the outer harbour. If you folks come and like it here we will add facilities, like electricity hook ups, or diesel, though a lot of the charm may be the simplicity and quiet. That's what you can help us with by letting us know on this forum or tell the folk in the white house (Fionna & Mike). Another little incidental thing which may be helpful is that we can direct you to an area of the outer harbour which dries to sand, if you have a problem, and need access to the undersides then it's easy and there's always someone on hand to help.

 

[arawa]

Re: Cruising by North East Scotland? Don't forget Lybster, Caithness. 58.17N 03.18W

A few years ago we were on passage from Scrabster to Helmsdale in my Parker 235. The sea off Wick was extremely uncomfortable in a very bouncy easterly and it became obvious our slow progress meant by the time we reached Helmsdale the tide would be low and it would be fully dark. So we decided to night stop at Lybster instead. We rafted up to a fishing vessel and it was not long before the skipper rushed up having seen us arrive from his house. I thought he was going to tell us to move elsewhere but he was just concerned that his boat might tip on top of us as the tide dropped. He welcomed us to Lybster, told us what facilities were nearby and rearranged his deck gear to ensure his boat leaned towards the quay. Lovely place and highly recommended.

 

[boathead]

Re: Cruising by North East Scotland? Don't forget Lybster, Caithness. 58.17N 03.18W

Delighted to hear of your pleasant experience. Through the main cruising season you can moor to the outer harbour wall to port as you enter and you'll be afloat at low water even if you draw well over two metres the inner basin all along the port side or dead ahead too, but the starboard side as you enter the inner basin is limited unless you draw less that one and a half metres, however the bottom is not rock but sand & silt and a thirty footer managed fine with the occasional touch of the sand at low water. I will get accurate depths all around the inner basin and the best sections of outer basin when I have some time but rest assured that there's plenty of water at low tide in both basins, especially if you raft up to one of the fishing boats as you did 'arawa'. Another tip which a Frenchman, who is in the inner basin at the moment, reminded me of is 'Internet' connection, sadly reception is terrible in the harbour and so our current visitor has to treck up the road toward the village where he can get mobile internet reception at the top of the hill.

Thanks for posting about your experience. Again, if anyone has any worries there will be help at hand (as you found out 'arawa') to make you comfortable.

 

[Mrnotming]

Re: Cruising by North East Scotland? Don't forget Lybster, Caithness. 58.17N 03.18W

Nice gestures here,glad the fisherfolk will welcome leisure.Some ports are better at this than others.

 

[dgadee]

Re: Cruising by North East Scotland? Don't forget Lybster, Caithness. 58.17N 03.18W

Following on from my 'plug' for the beautiful Harbour here at Lybster could I ask that if any of you folk do stop by please post up any comments you might have. We want to make Lybster a place cruising folk feel they can stop in at. We don't have a Harbour Master, maybe we don't need one? You can get mobile reception so you can phone the house overlooking the harbour 0n 01593 721130 or 07946 483349 if you want to head in and are unsure but it really is an easy entrance with plenty of water and plenty of turning room in the outer harbour. If you folks come and like it here we will add facilities, like electricity hook ups, or diesel, though a lot of the charm may be the simplicity and quiet. That's what you can help us with by letting us know on this forum or tell the folk in the white house (Fionna & Mike). Another little incidental thing which may be helpful is that we can direct you to an area of the outer harbour which dries to sand, if you have a problem, and need access to the undersides then it's easy and there's always someone on hand to help.

Yes, very nice location and friendly locals. Was there last year, but it was difficult to work out where best to moor (inner, outer, which part of wall) and what depth was available. Perhaps a small chart would help others.

 

[Topcat47]

Re: Cruising by North East Scotland? Don't forget Lybster, Caithness. 58.17N 03.18W

Shame there wasn't a pic.

 

[dslittle]

Re: Cruising by North East Scotland? Don't forget Lybster, Caithness. 58.17N 03.18W

Superb initiative. We will be passing through in a couple of years and will definitely call in. Well done for promoting Lybster.

 

[Even Chance]

Re: Cruising by North East Scotland? Don't forget Lybster, Caithness. 58.17N 03.18W

I really must spend a night there with the bairn this year. Been meaning to for years now. We normally anchor for the night in Sinclairs Bay. A fine wee adventure for a boy and his Dad. I sail from Wick.



Lybster Harbour a few months ago. I have loads of local aerial pics on my FB page, viewable by anyone......

https://www.facebook.com/#!/highlan...0.1435671277./862029613867799/?type=3&theater