Tarbert, Loch Fyne

[EuanMcKenzie]

It's almost the cheapest alongside berth on the west coast if you take it annually

It's protected so you needn't worry when leaving the boat unattended

Drive is a pain but if you do long cruises and have the time it makes total sense

on that regime I assume you would drive up anyway

 

[JumbleDuck]

Other option is maybe a swing mooring around Kames (Kyles of Bute... an amazing mostly sheltered place)

There should be no problem about getting a mooring or marina berth at Port Bannatyne, but it's a bit restricted by ferry times. It's right in the middle, though, unlike Tarbert which is great for Loch Fyne but not great for the rest.

 

[JohnGC]

As mentioned before Portavadie might be easier to get to (I'm berthed over in Holy Loch).
If you have a good motorway cruiser of a car. Head up the M5, M6, M74 to Glasgow during late evening which takes me around 6-7 hours... Then head over to Gourock via M8 and catch the Western ferry to Dunoon (first ferry around 6:30am I think)... Warning; do not buy your ticket on the ferry, buy the ticket from Paul's Grocery shop in Gourock or online (£32 for 2 journey on boat, only £17.70 at Paul's shop). From Dunoon I think it takes me less than hour to Portavadie.
Other option is maybe a swing mooring around Kames (Kyles of Bute... an amazing mostly sheltered place)

Cheaper tickets are also available from the Spar shop in Gourock.

It's no quicker via Gourock (from the M6) but it does give you a rest on the ferry and is a nicer drive, in my option, than via Loch Lomond.

If the OP is prepared to consider something at bit further south there is James Watt. I believe Atlantic Pilot is based there and travels up from the South East (of England).

 

[Lulabelle]

Cheaper tickets are also available from the Spar shop in Gourock.

It's no quicker via Gourock (from the M6) but it does give you a rest on the ferry and is a nicer drive, in my option, than via Loch Lomond.

If the OP is prepared to consider something at bit further south there is James Watt. I believe Atlantic Pilot is based there and travels up from the South East (of England).

Greenock The Co-operative Food
21 Eldon Street PA16 7UG Mon – Sun 07:00 – 22:00 01475 727762
Gourock Paul's Food & Wine
94 Shore Street PA19 1RB Mon – Sat 06:15 - 22:00
Sun 07:00 - 22:00 01475 630997

Watch out with Paul's Food & Wine... he sometimes sleeps in 15-30 minutes in the mornings!

Via Loch Lomond... check "rest and be thankful" road for blocking by landslide. Apparently it rains up here... sometimes

 

[petedg]

Greenock The Co-operative Food
21 Eldon Street PA16 7UG Mon – Sun 07:00 – 22:00 01475 727762
Gourock Paul's Food & Wine
94 Shore Street PA19 1RB Mon – Sat 06:15 - 22:00
Sun 07:00 - 22:00 01475 630997

Watch out with Paul's Food & Wine... he sometimes sleeps in 15-30 minutes in the mornings!

Via Loch Lomond... check "rest and be thankful" road for blocking by landslide. Apparently it rains up here... sometimes

We've been considering moving to Scotland, in fact around the Dunoon area but with all the talk about rain and short summers its unsettling....?

 

[dslittle]

I don't think they have permanent berths other than a few local day boats. Seems to be visitors only.

We were in there a few weeks ago. Lovely place and lovely people but they definitely DO NOT have winter berths. They consider that the risk is not worth it.

Tarbet is a great place and 100 times more interesting than Portavadie which (as alluded to above) almost seem to view visiting yachts as second to the 'land visitors'. The showers are lovely but if you want anything else it will be across the Loch at Tarbet!!!

 

[RIBW]

Seriously tempted to move the boat here from the South West next season. Anything known against? Thanks, Colin

Colin,
I am also up from near enough your area - (Bristle) and done quite a few charters around the area. I also have thoughts of a season with my own boat up there.
Having used Largs, Tarbert, Ardfern, Craobh and Dunthingy, I would recommend Dunstaffnage.

It is not far from provisions at Oban, it has rail service, it has good on-site facilities, there is great access to all the ports of call we southerners are usually interested in (outside the Clyde). Furthermore road access is excellent - I always bypass Glasgow and route through Callendar and then to Crianlarich - it is a beatiful drive and rarely congested/slow/blocked by caravans as the Loch Lomond route is (I have taken forum flack in the past from Scots Nats over this suggestion, but it has always worked for me).

I have also chartered early (March) and late (October). May was always the best and August iffy.

Cheers
Bob

 

[pessimist]

Once again, thanks to all. Some interesting suggestions. Keep 'em coming.

 

[aquaplane]

Agreed. The slow grind post-midnight is the killer.

You are not the Messiah, you are a very naughty boy!

 

[pragmatist]

As mentioned before Portavadie might be easier to get to (I'm berthed over in Holy Loch).
If you have a good motorway cruiser of a car. Head up the M5, M6, M74 to Glasgow during late evening which takes me around 6-7 hours... Then head over to Gourock via M8 and catch the Western ferry to Dunoon (first ferry around 6:30am I think)... Warning; do not buy your ticket on the ferry, buy the ticket from Paul's Grocery shop in Gourock or online (£32 for 2 journey on boat, only £17.70 at Paul's shop). From Dunoon I think it takes me less than hour to Portavadie.
Other option is maybe a swing mooring around Kames (Kyles of Bute... an amazing mostly sheltered place)

We like the idea of a swinging mooring - our favourite type of "berth" - and imagine the Kyles are quiet. But although we spend a goodly part of the summer on the boat we do have to leave her from time to time - is there any way of getting someone to keep an eye on a boat on a swinging mooring ? Our insurers require us to visit the boat on a mooring at least every 6 weeks.

 

[earlybird]

We like the idea of a swinging mooring - our favourite type of "berth" - and imagine the Kyles are quiet. But although we spend a goodly part of the summer on the boat we do have to leave her from time to time - is there any way of getting someone to keep an eye on a boat on a swinging mooring ? Our insurers require us to visit the boat on a mooring at least every 6 weeks.

An outfit called Maramarine (did?) function at Tignabruaich. They had a yard and moorings. I can't find much about them on the web, but the moorings are still there. If still operating, they would provide oversight I'd imagine.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

An outfit called Maramarine (did?) function at Tignabruaich. They had a yard and moorings. I can't find much about them on the web, but the moorings are still there. If still operating, they would provide oversight I'd imagine.

They're still there, just haven't caught up with this interweb thing yet. I was going to suggest them too.

 

[pessimist]

We like the idea of a swinging mooring - our favourite type of "berth" - and imagine the Kyles are quiet. But although we spend a goodly part of the summer on the boat we do have to leave her from time to time - is there any way of getting someone to keep an eye on a boat on a swinging mooring ? Our insurers require us to visit the boat on a mooring at least every 6 weeks.

'Struth, I only floated the idea of moving the boat North. Now she's selected the mooring and is looking for guardianage.