Should we head south?

lustyd

lustyd

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Sitting in Scotland with quite strong wind right now. We had strong wind last week and have strong winds predicted for the next two weeks. Is this the end of the season or should we persevere? We wanted to get to the Outer Hebrides and we’re not far off but it’s starting to feel like a lot of effort!
Looks like southern UK is improving next week.

We don’t really have a schedule or jobs etc. but there are only so many whisky tastings we can manage!
 
lustyd said:
Sitting in Scotland with quite strong wind right now. We had strong wind last week and have strong winds predicted for the next two weeks. Is this the end of the season or should we persevere? We wanted to get to the Outer Hebrides and we’re not far off but it’s starting to feel like a lot of effort!
Looks like southern UK is improving next week.

We don’t really have a schedule or jobs etc. but there are only so many whisky tastings we can manage!
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Just keep heading south. We are in Madeira. No whisky but the sun shines a lot😁
 
Around the equinox, 22 of September, we always get a prolonged windy period, shifts around about 2 weeks each side, also the nights become noticeably longer. Hence, it's likely to get worse more than better. However, there can be great sailing in September and October. If you are not over-wintering in Scotland, then the bash south later in the year can be a pain. Every time I have sailed south after September it has either been in F6 or calm but cold.

You can easily get to the Outer Hebrides, they are no more than a 12 hour sail away, depending where you are, hence if it's on your list, just go. They can be stunning, but in the rain and greyness of the Scottish weather, there is nothing romantic about them, depressing, barren, empty and boring.
 
Yes we were thinking similar but now we’ve got a forecast for most of September being too windy for fun I’m thinking south may be the best option. Annoyingly I’ve ordered some parts to Tobermory so have to go there first…if the order ever arrives 🤣
 
The northwest of scotland often has its best spells of weather in sep and early oct. Proper Indian summers.
We went to the shiant isles, harris, st kilda & barra last september.
I would stay up till at least end of sep.
Any forecasts for a month are not believable anyway. Go with your gut.
 
August can often be quite unsettled, as others have said you'll likely get some better spells later in the year. But if your plan is to sail south (across Biscay?) the clock is ticking...
 
Thanks all those thoughts reflect my own, just need to decide which is the right one 🤣 We’re stuck for at least a week I think so will just keep checking the forecast.
We were planning to sail in and around Biscay next year so not in a huge rush to get south just yet but we will probabkybtry to get down to Wales or Cornwall for the winter.
 
steve yates said:
The northwest of scotland often has its best spells of weather in sep and early oct. Proper Indian summers.
We went to the shiant isles, harris, st kilda & barra last september.
I would stay up till at least end of sep.
Any forecasts for a month are not believable anyway. Go with your gut.
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And I've had good sailing in December. Only problem is the short daylight hours. But May/June and September tend to have better weather than August.
 
We've got disheartened by the persistent southerlies1 as well. We left Plockton a week ago, but currently are only at Dun Laohaire and out of time for Monday 1st when we have to be back in Cornwall. So catching flights to Newquay and leaving the boat for a week or two, grrr.

1. Shipping forecast is:

Irish Sea​

South or southwest 6 to gale 8, decreasing 5 or 6. Moderate or rough, becoming slight or moderate later. Squally showers, perhaps thundery. Moderate or good
 
Relatively easy to head to OH during a short lull. Then can explore by bike/bus/hire car if it gets windy again for a bit (as is likely!) Overnight etc may be less windy. Teaching granny to suck eggs! :-)
 
lustyd said:
Yes we were thinking similar but now we’ve got a forecast for most of September being too windy for fun I’m thinking south may be the best option. Annoyingly I’ve ordered some parts to Tobermory so have to go there first…if the order ever arrives 🤣
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Sailin south from Cape wrath is utterly stunning with some wonderful places to tie up to.lochinver, Gairloch Dunvegan and plockton. The Minch provides superb sailing and must be done. Back under sky bridge and the small Isles. Just magical

Steveeasy
 
bikedaft said:
Relatively easy to head to OH during a short lull. Then can explore by bike/bus/hire car if it gets windy again for a bit (as is likely!) Overnight etc may be less windy. Teaching granny to suck eggs! :-)
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Yes there is a gap coming but it may then trap us out there for a week or two and I’m thinking we should be on out way south by October for the reasons everyone is saying
 
steveeasy said:
Sailin south from Cape wrath is utterly stunning with some wonderful places to tie up to.lochinver, Gairloch Dunvegan and plockton. The Minch provides superb sailing and must be done. Back under sky bridge and the small Isles. Just magical

Steveeasy
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Even worse, if we don’t do it now we might not be back up this way again
 
lustyd said:
Even worse, if we don’t do it now we might not be back up this way again
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That’s right. If you have time it’s a once in a lifetime oppurtunity. I did not visit outer hebredies choosing to go North but the sail back was magical. There are places in Scotland to winter fairly cheap too or on the Welsh coast.

It will be challenging but extremely rewarding. Stunning mountain backdrops. Orange moons and the most amazing sea states.
Whatever you choose it will be fun.
Steveeasy
 
lustyd said:
Sitting in Scotland with quite strong wind right now. We had strong wind last week and have strong winds predicted for the next two weeks. Is this the end of the season or should we persevere? We wanted to get to the Outer Hebrides and we’re not far off but it’s starting to feel like a lot of effort!
Looks like southern UK is improving next week.

We don’t really have a schedule or jobs etc. but there are only so many whisky tastings we can manage!
Click to expand...
You have to go an awful long way south to get pleasant weather Sept onwards. Here for example in southern Italy it’s a lovely 27C at 9:00pm.
 
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