Sailing in Scotland

[davidhand]

I was watching BBC world news last night and saw that Scotland was looking for immigrants. Is there any good sailing in Scotland? if so where? Which coast has the better weather.

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[snowleopard]

some of the best in the world

on our return from a season in the caribbean we went through the caledonian canal (passes through the highlands). we agreed it was the most beautiful place we had seen in 14000 miles.

most of the good sailing is on the west coast and among the offshore islands.

look <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.sailscotland.co.uk>here</A>

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[chriscallender]

Did my Day Skipper in Scotland as well as sailing there a lot as a child. Couldn't get better sailing anywhere if you like wide open spaces and beautiful scenery. Downsides, the season's probably a month or two shorter than down Souf and marinas with all the facilities are few and far between if you venture away from the popular areas like the Clyde. You need to be a lot more self reliant, the rescue services are further away and there are lots of charted hazards that aren't buoyed so pilotage is more demanding than in busier places. Days are even shorter in winter (but longer in summer). There's more wind (either a good or bad thing depending on your viewpoint).

Weather is dryer on the East cost but no contest, the West is the coast you want to keep a boat on if you want loads of interesting destinations to visit (Hebrides etc.)

All in all its a great place. I'd keep my boat up there in a flash if it wasn't for the hassle of getting to airports etc to Easyjet it up there.

Chris

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[Ohdrat]

more exciting than on South coast and more rough and ready..

don't expect to marina hoop.. even harbour hooping can be a problem on the North Coast...
There aren't many good harbours or even anchorages on the western side of the Hebrides as the west coast is all gently slooping sandy beaches and extremely exposed..

expect lots of tide unless you are sailing in land of the small isles or the clyde..

not much serious racing tho there are some notable events but mostly cruising and be prepared to "rough" it...

when it's wet you may find that you are litteraly stuck on the boat as to go ashore would be to brave midgy hell.

Probably not ideal as a kids cruising ground as conditions can be on the tough side.

There aren't many pubs either.. thanks to the wee frees...

PS Scotland doesn't need peeps over 40 and particularly not the retired.. we have plenty already!

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[claymore]

Nah - its all rubbish

You stay down south - its rubbish, terrible midges, gale force rain from April - November, horrible beer, irn bru, scotch pies, non English speaking unfriendly people - you'd hate it.

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Claymore
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[Twister_Ken]

Re: Nah - its all rubbish

And judging by your small (sorry, wee) picture, Mr Claymore, there's a damn great glacier blocking up the bay.

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[Rowana]

In defence of the East Coast

The Moray Firth has some good sailing with 3 or 4 nice marinas. Lossiemouth is great, with a lovely cafe that does excellent food right on the side of the harbour. The Steamboat Inn further along is a good place for some other "refreshments"

You can sail across to Lybster in Cathness and then on to Orkney and Shetland. If you want to go further afield, the you can cross the North Sea to Norway, Denmark and into the Baltic. It also has the advantage in that you can sail along the coast to Inverness, through the Caledonian Canal and you are on the West Coast, and get the best of both sides.

With the recent decimation of the Scottish fishing industry, there is bound to be some more developments of harbours/marinas for leasure boaters. There is talk of developing Banff harbour, which is currently fairly well silted up, with lock gates and a marina. I'm not sure how far this has progressed, but it has been reported in the local press.

Have a look at the link below for Lossiemouth. I don't know how to make it "clickable", but I'm sure you can cut and paste.

http://www.lossiemouth.org/lossiemouth-directory/sports-leisure/lossiemouthmarina.html

Jim

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[claymore]

Re: Nah - its all rubbish

Frozen wastes and icy blasts until at least the end of May. Moose, Elk and Polar Bears scavenging the dustbins and then there's the wolves.
Nah - better say where he is.

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Claymore
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[Ohdrat]

Re: The Ice Age cometh.. and wolves

We are expecting an Ice Age (caused by global warming as the melting ice cap will push the N Atlantic Drift South)

We are introducing Wolves to eat Tourists and deter caravans..(the marine variety too) this is a scientific project based on a study where "imported" or "Invading" pests are controlled by their specific parasites/preditors.

Also it has now been proven that a landslide on the Norwegian Coast will cause a massive Tsunami wiping out all those lovely new marina developments that Jim Irvine has identifed above.. NB there is acheological evidence that settlements have been wiped out by landslips in Norway in the Bronze Age.. so I reckon we're about due one..

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[Strathglass]

Re: The Ice Age cometh.. and wolves

I didn't realise that you live in the correct (top) end of the country.
But it's too cold for Solentr's to live here. Not enough room for them. They might not see another yacht for two days.

Iain

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[Ohdrat]

Re: Top Frilly bit of UK

oh and I forgot.. those wolves are being genetically modified (using New Foundlanders) to have webbed feet so they can swim out to your yacht and eat you all up...

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[snowleopard]

Re: Nah - its all rubbish

you'll have to try harder than that to scare off the foreigners, old son. the sound of mull on a sunday is still like the M25 !

or is it that you herd all us tourists into tobermory so you can have the rest of the islands to yourselves?

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[claymore]

Sacrificial anodes

Tobermory
Dunstaffnage
Kerrera
Croabh
Ardfern

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Claymore
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[snowleopard]

Re: Sacrificial anodes

canny b******s

p.s. you forgot the canals

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[Twister_Ken]

Clarification

>Tobermory
Dunstaffnage
Kerrera
Croabh
Ardfern<

Is that a list of place names or the sound of someone being indecently assaulted?

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[claymore]

Re: Clarification

Ho Ho Ho
It's a bit like limefitt park in the lakes or lanberis in your old stomping ground. Necessary evils, popular with the masses and places which keep the really special places quieter

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Claymore
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[Ohdrat]

Re: Quick.. Get Jaws over here NOW

the invasion is looking iminent... other deterents required suggestions welcome..

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[jimi]

Too late ...

Lots of jaws are already there .. the humble highland midge!! Apparently the real reason Bush is after Saddam is because Saddam went on his annual rockclimbing holiday to the Etive Slabs last year and after doing Swatika Direct, the Pause and Claw managed to get two jam jars full of Etive beasties and is threatening to release them in Yosemite ...

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[Ohdrat]

Re: Too late ... but not BIG enough..

We need something REALLY scary..

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[Guest]

Re: Too late ... but not BIG enough..

Scottish Country Dancing!!!!!

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.deepwater.com>http://www.deepwater.com</A>