Scottish Islands - which are open?

[cherod]

Interestingly, his magnificence, has to sell off some land if the community can raise the £6 million to buy it. Land reform resulting in community ownership may throw up its own issues, but on a whole it is likely to be a good thing.

Scottish villagers plan to buy out landowners for eco moorland project
Langholm Moor Community Buyout organized by Kevin Cumming

I never thought that restricting wild camping in the national park was a deliberate policy targeted at a certain group of society, but rather those who used the opportunity of a low cost activity would be penalised disproportionately. Indeed JD, I believe you are a very good engineer and being able to creatively think of solutions must require a good imagination, amongst other traits..



The majority of recreation users of the wild spaces do so responsibly, I doubt you dump your engine oil in the canal. Kids eh, up to all sorts of mischief. My point is that the majority should not be penalised at the expense of the minority.

then perhaps when the majority can control the minority we can all get on with enjoying the facilities , the incidents of litter left by the visitors in some places lately is totally unaceptable .

 

[Deleted member 36384]

then perhaps when the majority can control the minority we can all get on with enjoying the facilities , the incidents of litter left by the visitors in some places lately is totally unaceptable .

How do the majority do that then? i enjoy 'the facilities' which are all left litter free by the visitors.

 

[cherod]

How do the majority do that then? i enjoy 'the facilities' which are all left litter free by the visitors.

lucky you ,, i guess you have not been cleaning up the litter or cutting rope off of your propelor .. others have .

 

[JumbleDuck]

I'm not that keen on visitor moorings in places where anchoring is perfectly feasible, but it must be verging on the criminal, to drop all the chains to the seabed, where someone innocently anchoring is likely to foul them.

The three "foul area" circles here are where the Admiralty abandoned three triple-anchor moorings when they removed the buoys themselves from Kames Bay. Perhaps they were keeoing the option of reinstating them, but as they haver have I really thing they should clear up their mess.

That said, I think it's quite commonly done with moorings over the winter. In the days before CMAL moorings the visitor ones at Arinagour were run by a local who, when CMAL said they would take over, deliberately sank all his moorings to foul the anchorage.

When I go there I anchor, normally in the north part of the harbour. You have to be smallish and shallowish, but it's much better shelter in a southerly. Last time we went in we had a nice calm night, occasionally looking over at the masts of boats on the visitor moorings swinging 30 degrees each way. Can't find a chart, but it's where "An Glas Eilean" is written on this map. Even in a south-easterly it's not too bad, because there is a narrow and shallow entrance which tends to break the nasties coming in. I wouldn't care to try it in anything much bigger than my 26' / 1.3m, though.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Interestingly, his magnificence, has to sell off some land if the community can raise the £6 million to buy it. Land reform resulting in community ownership may throw up its own issues, but on a whole it is likely to be a good thing.

I have some tangential involvement with the Leadhills and Wanlockhead Railway, and both the current Duke and his father have been supportive and generous. As bloated plutocrats trampling on the faces of poor go (comrades), not too bad.

I never thought that restricting wild camping in the national park was a deliberate policy targeted at a certain group of society, but rather those who used the opportunity of a low cost activity would be penalised disproportionately. Indeed JD, I believe you are a very good engineer and being able to creatively think of solutions must require a good imagination, amongst other traits..

You flatter me. I'm an academic engineer so treat anything I've made with wariness.

Both my parents came from a council estate to the east of Glasgow, and along with many, many of their contemporaries used to head for Loch Lomond and the Trossachs at weekends, on foot and by bike. Apparently the ceilidh at Lake of Menteith youth hostel on Friday nights - for which my mother regularly played the piano - was a doozie.

Sorry, I digress. My romantic and perhaps impractical point is that Loch Lomond and the Trossachs have been an escape or breathing space for poor Glaswegians for many, many years, and I am sorry to see restrictions which, as you say, penalise the poor disproportionately.

 

[cpedw]

I got the impression from Derek's post, that the chains had just been dropped with no buoys left marking their position. I may, of course, be wrong.

Sorry, I didn't mean to give that impression or the opposite. CMAL's NtM says "Mariners are advised that the individual mooring blocks (approximate positions shown in red above) and chain risers remain on the seabed in this area and care should be taken if anchoring in the vicinity. " I haven't been there yet myself.

Derek

 

[Quandary]

Cmal may have thought their mooring position at Coll was a sensible one for some reason or other but it is one of the few places where the visitors moorings are in a position where one is unlikely to want to anchor with any scope. I suppose it leaves safer anchoring options free and provides a mooring option where one is unlikely to want t use their anchor which is better than most places where the best anchoring option is lost. I used the one nearest the rocks after they were first laid, it needed some care to leave safely in just a fresh breeze.

 

[TLouth7]

It's not an island but Eyemouth harbour is currently closed to visitors. They don't feel they can achieve social distancing in their facilities.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Eigg have asked folks to stay away, all facilities are closed and the shop that is open is only serving locals, specifically "yachts and other vessels not to come to Eigg".

PLEASE READ our COVID-19 Guidance
Eigg’s community response to COVID-19
Update 16 July 2020
We know many people want to come to Eigg this summer, but sadly, for the moment, we ask you not to come.
We are a remote and geographically isolated community with both elderly and vulnerable residents. We have worked hard to ensure the health and wellbeing of all our residents since the beginning of this pandemic.

Now we are in Phase 3 of the Scottish Government’s Route Map, travel and tourism across the rest of Scotland is opening up. The Eigg community has been working hard to put all the physical distancing and hygiene guidance in place. However, after looking at how to balance the large number of people who want to come to Eigg against what we are able to do within government guidance, the community has decided we are not able to welcome any day or overnight tourists (including campers) to Eigg at the moment.

At present all self-catering, hostel and guest house accommodation, Galmisdale Bay Café, and Lageorna restaurant have taken the decision to STAY CLOSED UNTIL 31 AUGUST. We will be reviewing this decision regularly and will post updates here.

As our public toilets, showers, and visitor attractions are closed, and our shop open to residents only we also ask day trip visitors, campers, kayakers, yachts and other vessels not to come to Eigg for the time being too. Again, we’ll let you know if this changes by posting updates here.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Colonsey is open but mixed reception, reported.

Isle Of Colonsay | A beautiful island and a welcoming community on the west coast of Scotland

Covid-19 Update

Now that lockdown restrictions have been eased we are now expecting visitors back on Colonsay. Please remember that all visitors must comply with Scotland’s COVID19 rules and we hope that all will be sensitive and respectful to the people who live in our island community by following social distancing guidelines. Unfortunately, visitors will not be able to enjoy the full island experience that they have come to expect, however, we have a high proportion of shielded and vulnerable people on Colonsay and hope that you understand our strong concern for their continued well-being.

If you don't follow the rules, you risk bringing the virus to our island.

The Colonsay Marketing Group has produced some visitor guidelines - please download the PDF below for more details. Thank You.

PDF icon Visitor Guidelines COMMUNITY 2020.pdf

Calmac’s website has up-to-date, detailed information and advice on how travel is affected at this difficult time: www.calmac.co.uk

We are focussing on community resilience through this crisis. We are grateful to the Scottish Government and Highlands and Islands Enterprise for making available the ‘Supporting Communities Fund’ on Colonsay.

 

[awol]

Frank Lockwood island is open.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Was it ever closed?

 

[cherod]

while i would support local communities in their ability to make their own decisions regarding visitors i feel that some of those mentioned above are a bit extreme , would it not be better / more sensible just to ban the english or any other person from a still infected area .

 

[JumbleDuck]

Colonsey is open but mixed reception, reported.

I suspect that the people of Eigg and Colonsay will be on the ferries to Mallaig and Oban pretty sharply if they get ill ...

 

[cherod]

Well unless there is a new Knightingdale facility opened up on the island recently ( would be of no surprise as unneeded / unused ones are open everywhere else ) they would not have another option , ( unless they have a helicopter or private yacht ) , i just wonder if they would then be welcomed back in a few days when they are better ?

 

[Deleted member 36384]

I suspect that the people of Eigg and Colonsay will be on the ferries to Mallaig and Oban pretty sharply if they get ill ...

Of course, considering the limited medical facilities, and by helicopter as well.

Initially, my view was that their position did not stand up to review, but now I have a degree of empathy with the islanders. Mostly because Covid could have a disproportionate effect on a very small population.

 

[dunedin]

Eigg seems to be an exception if still discouraging visitors. Been ashore on a very quiet Canna, and Rum also removed its stay away request. Natives so keen to see "first" visiting yacht at Muck that a small boat rushed out for a friendly welcome.

Bizarrely Lochboisdale marina told me they and "all other Outer Hebrides marinas" are closed to visitors until at least the end of the month. Yet the CalMac ferries are unloading masses of tourist cars, campervans and a handful of bikes with tents.
It is difficult to tell if Lochmaddy pontoon is open or closed these days - even the little harbour master hut and loo block has gone. More worryingly, the eastmost pontoon finger has broken its bolts and only held by a bit of rope. AVOID using as dangerous. No markings to warn a visiting boat.
Loch Maddy Hotel reopened and seemed very busy selling meals and drink - though a takeaway option also available if prefer not being inside. Definitely all friendly there.

 

[cherod]

Well why don't you do your bit for , well whatever , and do something to make the pontoon safer , cannae be that difficult , I am sure it would be appreciated by the “ natives “ NiCe that the small boat rushed out to meet you , to relieve you of your pounds rather than wait for you to Distribute as you saw fit .

 

[Quandary]

Well why don't you do your bit for , well whatever , and do something to make the pontoon safer , cannae be that difficult , I am sure it would be appreciated by the “ natives “ NiCe that the small boat rushed out to meet you , to relieve you of your pounds rather than wait for you to Distribute as you saw fit .

Yea, he is bound to have more keel bolts than he really needs to hold it on, take out a couple of the middle ones and replace the missing pontoon fixings. Not sure they have started charging for anchoring at Muck?

Dunedin has been a pioneer going where no one has gone so far this year, I appreciate the trouble he is taking too report for those who hope to follow.

 

[cherod]

Yea, he is bound to have more keel bolts than he really needs to hold it on, take out a couple of the middle ones and replace the missing pontoon fixings.

not the best of advice i would have thot .