Round Britain day 57

[Concerto]

Up and ready to leave just after 7 this morning, but could not leave until 7.40 as a ferry was leaving Stornaway. Before I slipped the berth, I made the chance discoverery of what has been causing the compass deviation problems on my Raymarine EV100 autopilot. See this very short video to find out.

Raymarine EV100 compass problem solved

After leaving the harbour entrance, the main was raised and the genoa unfurled, neither with reefs. It was a close reach and I was doing 6½ knots. The only thing that did not make it perfect was it was cold and overcast, so full oil skins as usual. After about an hour the wind dropped and a course change meant I could no longer set the genoa, so decided to motor sail at 5½ knots. After a further 1½ hours a further course change and lighter wind meant the mainsail could not be set as I was motoring straight into wind, so down it came. What looked like a promising sail had evaporated. Oh, well not too far to the destination of Scalpay.

A quick mental calculation said I needed 15.5 metres clearance to pass under the Scalpay bridge. Not a problem as it is about 19m or 20m clearance, depending on where you read. From below it still looks close, but there was plenty of space between the aerial at the top of the mast and the underside of the bridge. Motoring round the corner I approached the marina with fenders set for mooring to port. Came in a made a reasonable job of coming alongside with the a gust of wind trying to push me off. It was only 12.30, well that was a short trip.

After loading the photos and videos, plus checking the forums, I had a bite to eat. Then I went for a walk ashore, no sooner than I climbed the ramp, I was asked what my boat was called. It turns out he has been following my trip on this forum. He is also head of the marinas for Scalpay and Tarbert. The local shop and bistro/cafe were both closed for a holiday. It is only a small village and Scalpay has the distinction of nowhere serves alcoholic drinks. After taking a few photographs, I went back to the boat. It was now drone flying time and I am getting a lot better at planning the shots I want to take. Nearly used up the battery with all the flying I did.

It is very quiet here as I am the only person staying onboard. So, if you want peace and quiet on a pontoon berth with electricity and water, come to Scalpay.


Shortly after leaving Stornaway


Sailing well unde full sail


Tug towing a fish farm


Entering Scaplay Sound


Scalpay Bridge


Scalpay Marina


Drone view


Scalpay


Remains of a swooden steam trawler


Local residents?



For anyone wanting to read the reports from the start, this is the link to first one.
Round Britian day 1

 

[AngusMcDoon]

That ferro barge you can see in photo 6...

Archaeology Notes | Canmore

A bit of an eyesore, but seems that it's the only one of its kind. It's over a century old, so maybe when Antiques Roadshow visits Stornoway someone should drag it along and get a valuation

 

[dgadee]

They lock up swings on a Sunday there.

 

[ProDave]

Before you buy new boots, try degausisng the ones you have?

 

[jamie N]

I think I'm right in saying that the marina managers family used to 'own' Scalpay, before bequeathing it to the North Harris Trust?
Fabulous facility to have, as well as having had the Bistro, overlooking the marina. The bistro was the best restaurant that I've ever been in, but now no more I believe, having relocated to Stornoway on the barren Isle to the North. (My wife's from the Isle of Harris).

 

[Minchsailor]

I can assure that, of a month or so ago, that the bistro was very much there and providing very good dining.
Not quite 'pie and pizza, in fact the exact opposite.

 

[NormanS]

The first time that I sailed under the Scalpay bridge, I was sure the mast was going to hit it, in spite of calculating that I had plenty clearance. Maybe all bridges are a bit scary like that.
The old concrete barge is the "Cretetree". It was deliberately scuttled alongside the shore, to form a quayside and store. It has stood the test of time!

 

[dgadee]

The first time that I sailed under the Scalpay bridge, I was sure the mast was going to hit it, in spite of calculating that I had plenty clearance. Maybe all bridges are a bit scary like that.
The old concrete barge is the "Cretetree". It was deliberately scuttled alongside the shore, to form a quayside and store. It has stood the test of time!

I chickened out. Couldn't remember how high my mast was.

 

[jamie N]

I can assure that, of a month or so ago, that the bistro was very much there and providing very good dining.
Not quite 'pie and pizza, in fact the exact opposite.

Oh good; that is great to hear, as we're across in Tarbert for a week or so in a fortnight.

 

[Minchsailor]

Oh good; that is great to hear, as we're across in Tarbert for a week or so in a fortnight.

Check on opening times - they are suffering staff shortages, so sometimes closed at lunch times.

FYI, the hotel down by the ferry terminal in Tarbert was the same; restaurant/bar meals not available. At lunch time really the only place to get anything was the take away mobile kiosk beside the grocers, and that doesn't open on Mondays.

 

[dunedin]

The first time that I sailed under the Scalpay bridge, I was sure the mast was going to hit it, in spite of calculating that I had plenty clearance. Maybe all bridges are a bit scary like that.
The old concrete barge is the "Cretetree". It was deliberately scuttled alongside the shore, to form a quayside and store. It has stood the test of time!

Our best estimate of mast height is 20m. Sailing towards the Scalpay bridge for the first time having read from my (out of date) CCC book that it was 20m clearance I felt we should be OK - then checked the chart which showed 19m .
Quick height of tide calculation and there should have been about 1.5m down from LAT. Fortunately the tide was flowing out so we eased up to it at about 0.3kts SOG. Wouldn’t say it was close, but some boys fishing from a dory turned back to watch us go under. That was close. Been under regularly since, but not at HWS when we sail round the other way.

PS. They changed the basis for stating clearances, hence why changed from 20m to 19m official height for the bridge a few years back.
PPS. Scalpay pontoon often a lot busier than Converto found. 2-3 times been in and was full. Another time, post lock-down in 2020, had it to ourselves. And there is a great walk round the island to the lighthouse.

 

[sailaboutvic]

Up and ready to leave just after 7 this morning, but could not leave until 7.40 as a ferry was leaving Stornaway. Before I slipped the berth, I made the chance discoverery of what has been causing the compass deviation problems on my Raymarine EV100 autopilot. See this very short video to find out.

Raymarine EV100 compass problem solved

After leaving the harbour entrance, the main was raised and the genoa unfurled, neither with reefs. It was a close reach and I was doing 6½ knots. The only thing that did not make it perfect was it was cold and overcast, so full oil skins as usual. After about an hour the wind dropped and a course change meant I could no longer set the genoa, so decided to motor sail at 5½ knots. After a further 1½ hours a further course change and lighter wind meant the mainsail could not be set as I was motoring straight into wind, so down it came. What looked like a promising sail had evaporated. Oh, well not too far to the destination of Scalpay.

A quick mental calculation said I needed 15.5 metres clearance to pass under the Scalpay bridge. Not a problem as it is about 19m or 20m clearance, depending on where you read. From below it still looks close, but there was plenty of space between the aerial at the top of the mast and the underside of the bridge. Motoring round the corner I approached the marina with fenders set for mooring to port. Came in a made a reasonable job of coming alongside with the a gust of wind trying to push me off. It was only 12.30, well that was a short trip.

After loading the photos and videos, plus checking the forums, I had a bite to eat. Then I went for a walk ashore, no sooner than I climbed the ramp, I was asked what my boat was called. It turns out he has been following my trip on this forum. He is also head of the marinas for Scalpay and Tarbert. The local shop and bistro/cafe were both closed for a holiday. It is only a small village and Scalpay has the distinction of nowhere serves alcoholic drinks. After taking a few photographs, I went back to the boat. It was now drone flying time and I am getting a lot better at planning the shots I want to take. Nearly used up the battery with all the flying I did.

It is very quiet here as I am the only person staying onboard. So, if you want peace and quiet on a pontoon berth with electricity and water, come to Scalpay.

View attachment 139152
Shortly after leaving Stornaway

View attachment 139153
Sailing well unde full sail

View attachment 139156
Tug towing a fish farm

View attachment 139159
Entering Scaplay Sound

View attachment 139160
Scalpay Bridge

View attachment 139161
Scalpay Marina

View attachment 139150
Drone view

View attachment 139162
Scalpay

View attachment 139163
Remains of a swooden steam trawler

View attachment 139164
Local residents?

View attachment 139165

For anyone wanting to read the reports from the start, this is the link to first one.
Round Britian day 1

Concerto , I've not read all your posting on your wonderful cruise, but it get my blood going to read some people do use they boats for more then a weekend run down the coast to the next marina.
Keep up the good work.
we love cruising new destinations and been doing it for many years, and try to encourage others to go off and explore new places.
I do hope your posting will make other think of doing the same

 

[AngusMcDoon]

The old concrete barge is the "Cretetree". It was deliberately scuttled alongside the shore, to form a quayside and store. It has stood the test of time!

It's not the most interesting or pretty vessel, but it's old-ish and unique. It's a pity it has come to an ignominious end.

 

[jamie N]

FYI, the hotel down by the ferry terminal in Tarbert was the same; restaurant/bar meals not available. At lunch time really the only place to get anything was the take away mobile kiosk beside the grocers, and that doesn't open on Mondays.

The Heb; Hotel Hebrides! Many's the Guinness quaffed there. We're fortunate in having a house on Scott Road, which with divine intervention, I'm still able to ascend to, after a 'chat' by the harbour...... ? ?

 

[Concerto]

That ferro barge you can see in photo 6...

Archaeology Notes | Canmore

A bit of an eyesore, but seems that it's the only one of its kind. It's over a century old, so maybe when Antiques Roadshow visits Stornoway someone should drag it along and get a valuation

It was built in WWI, but not alone. There are 2 more on Scalpay in the other harbour. That is according to Kenny, who is the MD of the harbour trust running Scalpay and Tarbert marinas.

 

[West Coast]

Glad the pontoon team made contact with you - my friend there is Kenny Macleod (hope my spelling is right!) and he manages the Scalpay and Tarbert pontoons. Fred Taylor also works on the pontoons, amongst other things, he was the one who so generously gave Scalpay to the islanders. Was it Kenny or Fred who made contact with you?

edit - just noted your last post above saying it was Kenny you met ?

 

[Concerto]

The next report is here.
Round Britain day 58