Suggestions for trip from Oban

[scottie]

Sounds great !

 

[magicol]

Another vote for the Clyde Cruising Club Sailing Directions and a set of the Antares charts. And again I would reinforce, as others have suggested that you be flexible and allow the weather to modify your plans. If you try to stick to a pre-determined schedule, you may find the whole of the two weeks is taken up getting to the first couple of destinations. Don’t ask me how I know this!

 

[ctva]

Dont go out in the middle of a storm around Ardnamurchan Point unless you have a death wish. other than that prepare

But whats it like in the morning ?. ill be heading to Weatherspoon's for my breakfast on route to my boat.

Steveeasy

Still due to be wet but ‘spoons was good for a pre concert dinner. Now camped south of Tyndrum, heading home tomorrow so wave when you pass in a silver transit (reg will be easy to identify)

 

[Zing]

After 40 years of sailing the Channel and West coast of France, this year we're planning a two week charter trip out of Oban as our first experience of the Western Isles. Any advice on how best to use this time would be appreciated.
Thanks

Take a brolly. Two extra fleeces, because you will be cold. If you are going in summer don't forger lots of anti-midge spray like Avon ever so soft. It's a lovely area, but it is seriously flawed.

 

[NormanS]

One of the major differences that the OP might find if anchoring, is that many of the best anchorages have absolutely no shore facilities, and may be miles from any. For some this is a plus, but it might come as a bit of a shock to someone accustomed to sailing in the channel or western France.

 

[scottie]

Take a brolly. Two extra fleeces, because you will be cold. If you are going in summer don't forger lots of anti-midge spray like Avon ever so soft. It's a lovely area, but it is seriously flawed.

Go wash mouth out time!

 

[scottie]

Go wash mouth out time!

It winter wondering time
reality is lousy weather with lousy news and we need to think about not wearing lots of fleece and what if the anchor is dragging etc

 

[Poignard]

I had a fortnight on a charter from Oban, and we did a circuit of the Isle of Mull with some diversions up a few mainland lochs, and to Staffa to visit Fingal's Cave.

I think it was in May and midges weren't a problem. The weather was good too.

 

[dunedin]

Take a brolly. Two extra fleeces, because you will be cold. If you are going in summer don't forger lots of anti-midge spray like Avon ever so soft. It's a lovely area, but it is seriously flawed.

It very much depends on the weather. Had three weeks of light winds and sunshine in late May early June this year, with not a drop of rain. Equally it can rain the whole of August in some places (though often can avoid rain by choosing location carefully, often going further west and avoiding being in the lee of high hills - visitors often seem to congregate in places prone to most rain, for some odd reason).
Midges don’t tend to be an issue on anchor - but can be a challenge at some famous shore based pubs.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Go wash mouth out time!

I have never been so cold as when we rocked up in Shetland on a "museum" boat in July trying to get meths for the stove.

Admittedly the Hebrides are a bit further south but we were still cold on our 3 months trip round the inner hebrides and cursed the ebispacher for having failed again.

As it happened we could not get camping gaz for current boats cooker so ended up in lots of marinas with shore supply so could plug in fan heater now and again - gaz deficiency also forced us the eat out on quite a few islands, which was no great burden, though sadly discovered everything is shut monday and tuesday

Skye, Egg Muck Rhum Coll Gigha Canna, Colonsay/Oransay, Islay Iona Mull Jura Tiree, and my long favourite Kerrara just opposite OBan. We visited 6 in one week in a much earlier charter boat and 9 in our more liesurely 3 months jaunt. All the islands are utterly different in nature and society and we look forward to a longer trip maybe next year. Outer Hebrides only a bit over 30 miles from Coll or Rhum and we want to visit Barra by boat.

The problem as ever is lack of sheltered harbours thus one sometimes has to anchor lee of islands and walk cross the land to the village - also that a kelp filled bays may require 3 or more goes at getting even a new generation anchor to set.

We loved it

 

[Aja]

I had a fortnight on a charter from Oban, and we did a circuit of the Isle of Mull with some diversions up a few mainland lochs, and to Staffa to visit Fingal's Cave.

I think it was in May and midges weren't a problem. The weather was good too.

Absolutely right. Midges won't show their fangs till second week June.

May can be beautiful but sometimes with little wind so be prepared for a diesel tour.

CCC directions are helpful in where to source some.

Enjoy.

 

[Concerto]

Midges, what are they. Last year in August I never saw a single one. Still have an unused midge repellant onboard.

 

[NormanS]

You only get trouble with midges when it's dull damp weather with little wind. Apparently midges can only fly at 4 mph. They are not normally a problem on a boat at anchor. They love new blood.

 

[scottie]

I have never been so cold as when we rocked up in Shetland on a "museum" boat in July trying to get meths for the stove.

Admittedly the Hebrides are a bit further south but we were still cold on our 3 months trip round the inner hebrides and cursed the ebispacher for having failed again.

As it happened we could not get camping gaz for current boats cooker so ended up in lots of marinas with shore supply so could plug in fan heater now and again - gaz deficiency also forced us the eat out on quite a few islands, which was no great burden, though sadly discovered everything is shut monday and tuesday

Skye, Egg Muck Rhum Coll Gigha Canna, Colonsay/Oransay, Islay Iona Mull Jura Tiree, and my long favourite Kerrara just opposite OBan. We visited 6 in one week in a much earlier charter boat and 9 in our more liesurely 3 months jaunt. All the islands are utterly different in nature and society and we look forward to a longer trip maybe next year. Outer Hebrides only a bit over 30 miles from Coll or Rhum and we want to visit Barra by boat.

The problem as ever is lack of sheltered harbours thus one sometimes has to anchor lee of islands and walk cross the land to the village - also that a kelp filled bays may require 3 or more goes at getting even a new generation anchor to set.

We loved it

Shetland is a very long way from Oban and definitely think unlikely there and back in 2 weeks so perhaps irrelevant

 

[Whaup367]

Excellent, wish I was going.

Was a great gig!

 

[ctva]

Was a great gig!

Yes, looking forward to sailing to Inverness next July for another.

 

[oldmanofthehills]

Shetland is a very long way from Oban and definitely think unlikely there and back in 2 weeks so perhaps irrelevant

Unless cruiser fast and winds fair Shetland is indeed to far to go there abnd back in a fortnight. However my comments also made it clear to a southern sailor that even in June the inner hebrides are very significantly colder than the english channel. Even more beautiful but significantly colder at times - about 6C today Tobermory versus Bristol.

The scottish climate may be obvious to you but it wont be so clear to some, and the answer is warm clothing and even thermals for us soft southerners

 

[Concerto]

I agree it can be far colder in the north of Scotland. In mid summer I found a 10.5 tog duvet not warm enough, so had a thick throw on top at night.

Another point is how long the days become in summer. This is what it was like in Kirkwall at 23.15 on 21 June last rear.

 

[scottie]

I agree it can be far colder in the north of Scotland. In mid summer I found a 10.5 tog duvet not warm enough, so had a thick throw on top at night.

Another point is how long the days become in summer. This is what it was like in Kirkwall at 23.15 on 21 June last rear.

View attachment 169009

Possibly very similar conditions midday this morning?

 

[ylop]

Day sails certainly, not yet aware of a limit on area, may be only visit to the area so would like to cover quite a lot of ground

You will be back unless this is your final sailing trip ever or the weather is naff and you try to squeeze too much in. It’s a special place and if you take your time you’ll want to come back to do the bits you missed.

Take a brolly. Two extra fleeces, because you will be cold.

If you are going in summer don't forger lots of anti-midge spray like Avon ever so soft.

Midges are not a problem on a mooring or anchor. Midges will only fly about 50m at the most over salt water, and as others have said will not keep up with a moving boat. They can be an irritation on land in June, July, Aug and depending on local area and winter weather late May and early Sept. Avon skin so soft is not as good as it used to be and only resists them biting not deterring them coming close:- smidge (widely available in all west of Scotland villages) is the answer, if hanging around on shore a midge net would also be worth the £5 investment. smidge also deters ticks which are in reality a bigger issue than midges!

It's a lovely area, but it is seriously flawed.

One of its positive features is lots of people think like you so it’s pretty quiet! If it had Brittany’s weather, great travel links to London and no midges it would be heaving with folk for “the City” and the some of the best of the west would be destroyed.