Scottish Islands - which are open?

[sighmoon]

A lot of the Scottish islands aren't welcoming visitors this year as they have predominantly vulnerable populations.

As far as I can tell the only ones that are open are the big ones that depend on tourism: Islay, Mull and Skye.

Any more? Any issues with small places on the mainland?

Gigha are saying they're open but also say they have a large elderly population so it would probably be OK to go to the beach but not OK to go to the shop.

 

[Quandary]

I think it will take a few more weeks for them to get used to living with the threat we pose, provided there is not a resurgence. Tobermory is talking about food deliveries to your boat and expects you to book and pay remotely if possible which indicates that they are not that comfortable. The more isolated the place the longer it may take.
Skye is no longer an island with unrestricted road access but Islay and Mull are not so exposed, there is very very little holiday taffic going down the A83 probably because of ferry restrictions.
Noticed yesterday that the deferred pilgrimage round the Mull of Kintyre from Kip to Croabh seems to have started, some stopped overnight at Gigha, others carried on.

 

[webcraft]

.
We have a friend who has relatives on Colonsay - he normally goes over by boat quite often for family visiting, and in fact has a mooring there.

He has apparently been told he would not be welcome. Mind you, Colonsay has always been one of the least yacht-friendly islands.

- W

 

[webcraft]

.
Surely yachties are among the lowest risk visitors. We have large parties going on all night in local AirBnBs, but a paranoid pal on the island (a yachtie himself) seems to be glowering distrustfully at a handful of yachts anchored 100m offshore in Puilladobhran with no-one coming ashore. Makes no sense to me.

- W

 

[Deleted member 36384]

All the islands are open, unless the Scottish Government has to shut them to control public health. Right to Roam legislation is still in place. My personal view is that we have to get on with it and go ashore, being mindful of locals sensitivities but not kowtowing to private agendas. Fully comply with the recommendations for mask wearing (bring your own and use them when ashore), bring your own hand sanitiser, even when going ashore and be seen to use it if entering premises. Drinks can be served in beer gardens but places are limited plus alcohol and grievances don't go well together. While being self sufficient on your boat is laudable, I believe spending money in local places is desirable to help the economies.

If using CalMac be aware that restrictions are still in place with regards to the pre booking, there is a time limit. Also any sailing restrictions from the 15 July have still to be announced. Covid-19 | Customer Update | 26 June 2020

 

[Quandary]

We have the boat in the water ready to go and with the nearby exception of Tarbert (still shut to visitors) there are plenty of places we could go, but my wife, unlike Boots, is very reluctant to visit places where we will not be welcomed, even if we do not leave the boat. The issue is compounded by the local press who come up with a new scare every week, Balfour Beatty pylon work crews they hunted out of local hotels to live in cabins, motorcyclists, anyone not local they can think off, I suppose they think they are reflecting local opinion.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Tarbert Harbour opening on the 15th July.

Latest News and Developments - Tarbert Harbour, Loch Fyne, Argyll

We are please to announce that Tarbert harbour will be opening to visitor boats from the 15th of July, in line with government guidelines.

As always, the safety of our customers and staff is of utmost importance to us, so we have provided hand sanitiser around the Harbour for customer use and social distancing is still required as per government guidelines.

With this in mind, we also have sensible restrictions on the number of people who can use certain facilities such as the shower units, toilets and chandlery at any one time.

If you have any questions please contact us on 01880 820344 or email us at info@tarbertharbour.co.uk.

Stay safe everyone.

 

[Quandary]

.
Surely yachties are among the lowest risk visitors. We have large parties going on all night in local AirBnBs, but a paranoid pal on the island (a yachtie himself) seems to be glowering distrustfully at a handful of yachts anchored 100m offshore in Puilladobhran with no-one coming ashore. Makes no sense to me.

- W

I feel the same as him, its fekkin jealousy.

 

[dunedin]

Tobermory on Mull and Salen on Loch Sunart both open and welcoming visitors - albeit the former has very limited capacity (most moorings not yet laid) and requires pre booking. Also need holding tank as toilet blocks closed per Government guidelines for “self catering without shared facilities”.

The Small Isles seem to be asking people not to go ashore, though at least all the moorings are in place at Canna. As BlowingOldBoots says not sure what legal basis there would be to enforce this, but per Respect The Destination guidelines, I would prefer not to force my presence on them ashore but instead Respect their request. A shore party rushed out to meet us at Muck, but they were just out to welcome the first boat they had seen!

According to the marina manager at Lochboisdale Marina, all the harbours on the Outer Hebrides are not yet open to visitors, though there are a lot of safe places to anchor.

Mallaig also currently closed to visitors I belIeve, but hoping might be open from 15th July.

Car based visitors, holiday home owners and self catering seem to be back in substantial numbers.

 

[Spyro]

There are a few everywhere that don't seem keen on visitors, they are the same ones who didn't like visitors pre covid. This recent event has just given them a licence to be !@#$%.
These islanders don't get to decide what is open and what isn't.

 

[sighmoon]

These islanders don't get to decide what is open and what isn't.

For me they do. I'd prefer to go where we're welcome. Businesses have the right to refuse admission too.

If anyone gets it, they'll be blaming someone who broke their guidelines, not the delivery driver sneezing in the shop.

 

[sighmoon]

BTW, sounds like Jura is open

 

[Spyro]

For me they do. I'd prefer to go where we're welcome. Businesses have the right to refuse admission too.

If anyone gets it, they'll be blaming someone who broke their guidelines, not the delivery driver sneezing in the shop.

Business people aren’t the ones saying we are closed, they are desperate to get tourists back. 100s even 1000s have been travelling back and forward to the islands since this begun, as a key worker myself included. I get to see what’s happening in the real world. The islanders are happy to get their supplies and happy for themselves to go back and forward to the mainland. But as soon as there is a hint of a tourist the barriers are going up. Islanders on Arran are happy to get the ferry, wander around Asda and mix with all the mainlanders then get the ferry back to their island and say we don’t want tourists we don’t feel safe etc, etc.

 

[awol]

I suspect it is a matter of trust. I trust myself to follow social distancing rules/guidelines, disinfect surfaces and hands, etc. but am horrified by the behaviour depicted on beaches and outside pubs by the media. Of course, that is a small minority but I don't want any of that minority anywhere near me and mine and I certainly wouldn't want them on my island (if I had one).

 

[dunedin]

There are a few everywhere that don't seem keen on visitors, they are the same ones who didn't like visitors pre covid. This recent event has just given them a licence to be !@#$%.
These islanders don't get to decide what is open and what isn't.

Your post is somewhat lacking in empathy. And probably in facts.

Not quite sure what islands you have visited, but as far as I know the only ones I have seen asking politely for yachtsmen not to land are Canna, Eigg and Rum (though Rum does have over 200nyears of history of trying to keep visitors out

Suspect some of the smaller inhabited Outer Hebrides might have similar thoughts but not seen personally.

Scotland has hundreds of islands and most are still available to visit.
Personally I have anchored off at 3 of the Small Isles and not felt the need to challenge their request.
And been warmly welcomed on other islands - the biggest challenge being trying to keep them from coming too close when chatting away excitedly

 

[adwuk]

... with the nearby exception of Tarbert (still shut to visitors) ...

Visitors in Tarbert today, and more boats around in the Kyles and Loch Fyne over the last few days. Kames hotel's moorings are operational and they are pleased to see you, but close when the midges get bad! We have had a nice few days on the water.

 

[cherod]

There are a few everywhere that don't seem keen on visitors, they are the same ones who didn't like visitors pre covid. This recent event has just given them a licence to be !@#$%.
These islanders don't get to decide what is open and what isn't.

what a disgraceful attitude , are you suggesting that visiting yachtsman should . or just anybody ?

 

[awol]

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[Spyro]

what a disgraceful attitude , are you suggesting that visiting yachtsman should . or just anybody ?

Neither, the Scottish government gets to decide. In my previous comments I wasn’t just referring to visiting yachts or boats. The OP asked which islands are open.

 

[sighmoon]

If you want to visit an island why not choose this one and exercise your right-to-roam?

Because that's an ad for a self catering cottage and this is a sailing forum.