Summer cruise of Scotland

cpedw said:
I've been in twice, about 2009. First time (in a hurry on the way to Orkney) we stopped in Rispond. It was quiet westerly weather. It felt very crowded but we stayed and swung on the hook without getting tangled with any of the many other small boats around.
Second time, on the way back with time in hand we went further, to the south side of the bar at Geodh' an Sgadain. It felt spacious and secure in the extreme. There was one other yacht anchored there, not moored, but no sign of occupants. They had left it for several days I later discovered, with no qualms about its security.

Derek
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Many thanks, Derek.

I never thought about Rispond. Good idea if calm, as you say.

I spent 6 weeks in a caravan at Laid. This was January/February 2002 - deep snow all around. Magic sight; Looking over to Geodh' an Sgadain. Looks a good place, and quite interesting land form.
Brave people to leave an anchored boat!
 
"Question for Minch Sailor "Overnight in Loch Eriboll".

How far in? I'm interested as I hope to do a "round the top" next year. Eriboll is a big loch, so do you have to go down to Geodh' an Sgadain (4nm approx)?

Rispond is a small private harbour on the west side just in the entrance. I had a look but it looked just a bit too much on the wee side.

We went down to to the N side of Ard Neakie and anchored with 3-4 other boats, but at dusk the wind blew up and we all started dragging as the weed is exceptionally thick. We all went down to the bight on the east side by Kempie and An t-Stron.

(An aside - one of the boats was an elderly 18ft plywood cruiser (Ballantine??) with 4 people, 3 generations aboard, and a 4hp outboard on the back. I did wonder how (1) they all fitted in, and (2) how such a boat ended up in one of the more remote and less hospitable bits of yachting UK).

Another time I anchored off Portnacon on the west side. I think this probably the best option in the loch.`

Further east, I have anchored at Talmine in the Kyle of Tounge - this was OK as well.
 
Robert Wilson said:
As Mae West said: "Come and see me sometime". (At least I think she did!!)

Keep in touch. It really is a great area to sail. (And don't believe all you hear about the Wee Beasties (midges))
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Thanks, Robert, much appreciated.

Before I started sailing, more than 20 years ago, I did a lot of diving around Oban, Mull and Islay so I have some experience of the area. Enough to want more, that's for sure.

Our 2014 summer cruise was The Clyde and we really enjoyed it..........left with a thirst for more.

I'd like to throw in the (work) towel next year but my wife says that she isn't ready yet.........so I may be in need of friendly local crew!
 
davidjackson said:
Thanks, Robert, much appreciated.

Before I started sailing, more than 20 years ago, I did a lot of diving around Oban, Mull and Islay so I have some experience of the area. Enough to want more, that's for sure.

Our 2014 summer cruise was The Clyde and we really enjoyed it..........left with a thirst for more.

I'd like to throw in the (work) towel next year but my wife says that she isn't ready yet.........so I may be in need of friendly local crew!
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Or go for single-handing. But that might raise suspicions with SWMBO....!
AS I say, keep in touch.
 
Minchsailor said:
"Question for Minch Sailor "Overnight in Loch Eriboll".

How far in? I'm interested as I hope to do a "round the top" next year. Eriboll is a big loch, so do you have to go down to Geodh' an Sgadain (4nm approx)?

Rispond is a small private harbour on the west side just in the entrance. I had a look but it looked just a bit too much on the wee side.

We went down to to the N side of Ard Neakie and anchored with 3-4 other boats, but at dusk the wind blew up and we all started dragging as the weed is exceptionally thick. We all went down to the bight on the east side by Kempie and An t-Stron.

(An aside - one of the boats was an elderly 18ft plywood cruiser (Ballantine??) with 4 people, 3 generations aboard, and a 4hp outboard on the back. I did wonder how (1) they all fitted in, and (2) how such a boat ended up in one of the more remote and less hospitable bits of yachting UK).

Another time I anchored off Portnacon on the west side. I think this probably the best option in the loch.`

Further east, I have anchored at Talmine in the Kyle of Tounge - this was OK as well.
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+1 for Portnancon. I didn't have a boat in those days, but visited it. A busy fish-farm centre IIRC back then.

Good to hear of Talmine. That's a useful hop from Cape Wrath or Eriboll if the weather goes sour. Not good in a northerly, I imagine.

Thanks
 
Lots of good advice already.
let me just throw in a few more places that I particularly liked when I cruised the Hebrides:
Salen in Loch Sunart, well sheltered and a friendly place with moorings and a few pontoons

Canna harbour, a number of moorings and space to anchor in a superb setting
Loch Scresort on Rum
Loch Nevis, moorings and plenty of space to anchor
Gairloch, a few places on a jetty, friendly harbourmaster
Lochmaddy on N Uist
Wizzard Pool on S Uist, seclusion and tranquility
Gometra Harbour on the west coast of Mull, a delight, teeming with wildlife.
On the east coast I found Wick both a useful and interesting stop with good accomodation.
If you want to have a taste, there are plenty of pictures on my site from 2013 when I was there as part of a round Britain. The blog itself is in Dutch, I'm afraid, so may be a challenge for you ;-)
 
westhinder said:
Lots of good advice already.
let me just throw in a few more places that I particularly liked when I cruised the Hebrides:
Salen in Loch Sunart, well sheltered and a friendly place with moorings and a few pontoons

Canna harbour, a number of moorings and space to anchor in a superb setting
Loch Scresort on Rum
Loch Nevis, moorings and plenty of space to anchor
Gairloch, a few places on a jetty, friendly harbourmaster
Lochmaddy on N Uist
Wizzard Pool on S Uist, seclusion and tranquility
Gometra Harbour on the west coast of Mull, a delight, teeming with wildlife.
On the east coast I found Wick both a useful and interesting stop with good accomodation.
If you want to have a taste, there are plenty of pictures on my site from 2013 when I was there as part of a round Britain. The blog itself is in Dutch, I'm afraid, so may be a challenge for you ;-)
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That list certainly covers some of my favourites. Add to that, Loch Scavaig, the most stunning anchorage anywhere, Isle Oronsay, Ascansaig Mor (spelling?), Loch Moidart and Loch Shieldaig, Torridon.

Don't make too rigid a plan as with the time you have, just get the CCC pilots and a set of Antares Charts and make your plans on the hoof taking in information from others that you will meet along the way, taking account of e weather and enjoy the discoveries along the way.

We've been round the circuit once and it is really good but starting from the Crinan. The leg we did from Kinlochbervie to Stromness was the longest and most exposed, just wait for the weather and it is beautiful in its isolation. The other long leg from Wick to Clachnaharry is best done overnight to get to the canal for opening time unless stopping in Cromarty which is nice.

Contrary to wha others may say, Vodafone and VHF are pretty good on this west coast.
 
ctva said:
Ascansaig Mor (spelling?)
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Almost certainly Acarsaid Mor. As this means "big anchorage" in Gaelic there are a lot of them about, not necessarily very big, but bigger than the usually adjacent Acarsaid Beag (small anchorage), so you need to specify which one. Same with Eilean Mor and Eilean Beag (big island and small island) and Sailean Mor and Sailean Beag (big inlet and small inlet).
 
I don't think it's been mentioned yet, but Hamish Haswell Smith's 'The Scottish Islands' is an excellenent reference. 'Welcome Anchorages' is also useful, but only includes places with some sort of commercial interest.
 
>>>> awol you are a very bad boy "You need to drop a line to Dave-Shafa of this ilk who is setting himself up as a font of all such knowledge."


My own trip, 6 months. [soon to be recreated]

Shafa (1) Trip here http://www.davehighland.scot/index.php/sailing/shafa-1-trip

Watch oot fur the Mull o Kintyre....


shafatrip.jpg
 
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I too am planning a summer's cruising around the western isles, leaving Largs, through the Crinan Canal, etc. and I am finding this thread incredibly interesting and helpful.

On the east coast on the way to the Caledonian Canal I would suggest a stop at Helmsdale on the - 58˚06.67N 003˚38.56W - nice little town with all the amenities. The entrance is fairly narrow and depending on the tides you might find that there's not a great deal of water below your keel. Not been to Wick for a number of years but there seems to have been a number of improvements over recent years. Lossiemouth - just about directly south of Helmsdale is also worth a visit. The warehouses in the harbour have been converted to cafes and shops. All the amenities and facilities. I would recommend the 1629 restaurant - a taxi ride from the marina, but well worth a visit. Nairn, further along the coast also has a very nice marina and it's a lovely little town. You'll really enjoy the passage through the Caledonian Canal.
 
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