sailing schools in W Scotland

[TiggerToo]

Can anyone here recommend some good sailing schools (DS, cruising etc) on the West coast of Scotland? It is for a colleague of mine.

 

[Skylark]

Cumbrae is home to the national watersports centre for Scotland. Probably as good a place as anywhere to start. Their yachts are in Largs, on the Clyde.

 

[SailingEcosse]

I did my day skipper here

http://www.maritimeconnection.co.uk/index.php

Run by Bob Johnstone, a tough taskmaster and possibly not the easiest route to an RYA qualification , but he knows his stuff.

 

[chrisclin]

Real West coast - try www.alba-sailing.co.uk based near Oban.

 

[webcraft]

.
There's a selection HERE.

(Just noticed Alba isn't listed, must rectify that)

- W

 

[cliff]

Second Wind Sailing out of Troon. (not on Webby's list either)

 

[Sandyman]

http://www.westboundadventures.co.uk/boat.html

Did my day skippers with the above on a Sigma 33. Instructors at the time were all
ex Fishermen. Bit grumpy, as such folk tend to be lol, but boy did they know there stuff.
And you dont get a ticket just cos you've paid the course fee. You have to be able to do it.
If you cant they will fail you. IMO as it should be. Course fee's are good.

 

[mlthomas]

Second Wind Sailing out of Troon. (not on Webby's list either)

Ive taken both sail and power courses to coastal skipper with second wind and will hopefully be completing the yachtmaster offshore later this year. Great tuition and cant recommend them enough (no connection other than being a student of theirs)

 

[Baggywrinkle]

Second Wind Sailing Troon.

Another vote for Second Wind Sailing in Troon. Excellent. Did a DS there to get my ICC so I could charter. My wife did her Competent Crew at the same time.

http://www.secondwindsailing.co.uk/

Again ... no connection other than happy student.

 

[puddock]

Real West coast - try www.alba-sailing.co.uk based near Oban.

I'll second Alba !

 

[webcraft]

http://www.westboundadventures.co.uk/boat.html

Did my day skippers with the above on a Sigma 33. Instructors at the time were all
ex Fishermen. Bit grumpy, as such folk tend to be lol, but boy did they know there stuff.
And you dont get a ticket just cos you've paid the course fee. You have to be able to do it.
If you cant they will fail you. IMO as it should be. Course fee's are good.

I instruct for WA on occasion. Second what Sandyman says - if you are not up to it you won't automatically get a ticket, and neither should you. Whoever is instructing the teaching will be good though and the ongoing assessment of your performance throughout the week honest and fair** - and the boat sails like a witch.

** Though this is true of most sailing schools of course

Also, if you fancy something different Westbound Adventures run courses from Castlebay on the Isle of Barra over the Summer months, and often manage to get out to St. Kilda.

- W

 

[pagoda]

Cumbrae is home to the national watersports centre for Scotland. Probably as good a place as anywhere to start. Their yachts are in Largs, on the Clyde.

Cumbrae Watersports was pretty good - did CS with them. Good instruction, good exposure to responsibility, (and interesting weather!) Boats are Largs based.
Food & company were also excellent.
To be honest - from what I've heard, there are very few bad sailing schools?

Graeme

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Oban Sea School

From Webcraft's list I would recommend http://www.obanseaschool.co.uk/. Great boat and dedicated, knowledgeable instructor, Robert Kincaid. A single boat school that is dedicated to tuition.

He built his current boat specifically for tuition using his experience from previous production boats as sailing schools. For example the rig is taller and has a slightly larger sail to take advantage of the lighter summer winds. Also the layout of the cockpit and saloon is specified for space when fully crewed.

 

[iain789]

I did my day skipper here

http://www.maritimeconnection.co.uk/index.php

Run by Bob Johnstone, a tough taskmaster and possibly not the easiest route to an RYA qualification , but he knows his stuff.

Another vote for Bob Johnstone

 

[ean_p]

http://www.westboundadventures.co.uk/boat.html

Did my day skippers with the above on a Sigma 33. Instructors at the time were all
ex Fishermen. Bit grumpy, as such folk tend to be lol, but boy did they know there stuff.
And you dont get a ticket just cos you've paid the course fee. You have to be able to do it.
If you cant they will fail you. IMO as it should be. Course fee's are good.

+1 excellent week and great sailing ......

 

[SHUG]

This one has been highly recommended:
David Leaver
Firth of Lorne SeaSchool
www.folss.co.uk
Northern Wanderer Cruises
www.northernwanderer.co.uk
Home:
01470 532393
Erne Lodge, Kingsburgh
Isle of Skye IV51 9UT

 

[BlackPig]

another recommendation for second wind

 

[pugwash60]

Just a vote for the local school,
Tighnabruaich Sailing School,
Most beautiful place in the world, (I may be a bit biased).

 

[webcraft]

Just a vote for the local school,
Tighnabruaich Sailing School,
Most beautiful place in the world, (I may be a bit biased).

Tighnabruaich only do dinghy courses.

- W

 

[WindermereColvic]

Scot sail

Did DS with ScotSail out of Largs, a good experience, would recomend.
Matt