Tobermory Harbour is opening

[cpedw]

From tomorrow, Tobermory Harbour will be open to visiting boats in a limited way - fewer moorings and one boat per pontoon finger, book in before you arrive etc. I wonder if visitors will be welcome ashore.

Derek

 

[yotter]

Derek, many thanks for the info.
Seems like a sensible approach. And will the locals be picking up their pitch forks? Well, hopefully not since I understand that the community are stakeholders in the harbour (authority). We are still on the Clyde, sailing out of Kip which is handy since we can walk to the boat, but had hoped to visit Tarbert Loch Fyne, but when I checked earlier they are closed to visitors until 15/7/2020, same at Portavadie.
Regards
Angus

 

[Quandary]

The Scottish Branch of MOA has been publishing a useful guide to the progress of Scottish harbours right round the coast, the majority are opening from tomorrow but some later (Campbeltown were 17th but considering going for earlier.)
Crinan Canal. where my berth is, opens on 17th. I am sitting on the waiting pontoon at Ardrishaig surrounded by hordes of swimming kids because the pool is still closed but we are contemplating going round to Crinan via Tarbert C,town, Rathlin or Ballycastle and Port Ellen if we think we will not get chased at any of these. Awaiting delivery of a bigger Saltire to demonstrate we are from a low Covid nation. Might stop on one of the Carradale moorings or at Sanda and defer C'town, they lost a popular paramedic a few weeks back so very conscious of the dangers.

 

[yotter]

Q
Many thanks for the info. We also plan to RTM around 15/7/20., we have a booked berth at Craobh and are welcome (apparently). I may well also order a saltire also, thanks for the tip. I am not an SNP fan, but actually admire Nicola's recent crisis management compared to the blond numpty doon south, but this is not a political post.

I completely get how Argyll communities are concerned about tourists and yachties coming north.

We had planned to visit relatives in Tarbert this weekend, but the Harbour do not seem very welcoming:-(

Might see you in the canal later if a wee varnished sailing boat goes west, to be decided yet.

Best regards
Angus

 

[Quandary]

It is worth noting that all the Norn Irn and a majority of the West Coast popular harbours inc, Tob. as noted above. are requiring prebooking of berths. While Tarbert is still closed Portavadie is opening to visitors.
The MOA has a comprehensive list of phone numbers for pre- booking, I am sure they won't mind if I put a list on here,

 

[Quandary]

Herewe go courtesy of the hard work by Howard Williams of the Moody OA.

Bangor Open
Belfast Opens 3rd July
Carrickfergus pre-book 028 9336666 toilets restricted, laundry open.
Glenarm pre-book 028 28841285 (08-00 until 16-00) toilets restricted.
Ballycastle pre-book 028 20768525 or 07803 505084
Rathlin pre-book 077245 94118
Portrush and Coleraine pre-book 028 70822307 or 07889081860

Portavadie open, no toilets
Tarbert visitors from 17th/7 (09-00 to 17-00)
Clyde marinas open except as below
Largs visitors from 17th/7
Port Bannatyne from 17/7 (email in advance)
Millport moorings not laid
Campbeltown from 17th but contemplating opening today
Ardfern open , no showers
Oban (Kerrera) opening as fast as they can, special rate regardless of size mooring £15 pontoon £25, hoping to have pizza delivery
Dunstaffnage Marina open but office and facilities still closed.
Linnhe Marine open including diesel, toilets 15/7.
Loch Aline no reponse so far.
Tob. as post 1, prebook and pay on line though they will collect if you don't. berths pre-allocated, check in on VHF68 or 07917 832497
At Tob. the ground chains and anchors are on the bottom so anchor at Aros or in the Dorlinn.
Mallaig from 18th July. one side of fingers only, booking for showers.
Crinan Canal from 17th. ( expensive assistance available from yours truly).
Cally from 22nd. (note correction of this date)

 

[wully1]

The Local feeling towards visitors seem mixed.. some welcome the return, most are ambivalent, some dread the return to ‘normal’

Sadly I doubt there will be anything like a warm welcome In the west highlands and I’d expect a degree of hostility in the islands- especially if you are from down in the plague ridden south.

We are stocking up so we don’t have to go anywhere there are likely to be visitors... It’s a shame that we feel we can’t trust folk to behave in a safe manner after seeing the awful behaviour of people on beaches, the tossers at a closed football ground, eejits going mental in Glasgow about some ferkin statues.

Im sure trust will return and hostility decline once people get used to ‘outsiders’ again, especially as most of the people who do come will behave safely.

Heres hoping.

And I do hope the superb weather returns for the visitors.

 

[magicol]

Thanks for the detailed information Q. Really helpful in trying to get a feel for what’s possible as we start sailing again. I also think that it’s right to consider the sensitivities of those living on the islands and in the west. It’s not always been a good look following the reaction of some to easing lockdown.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Port Bannatyne from 17/7 (email in advance)

Port Bannatyne brought their reopening forward to this coming Monday when restrictions were eased early than expected. Others may be the same - it's probably worth phoning anywhere you want to go to check.

 

[JumbleDuck]

We are stocking up so we don’t have to go anywhere there are likely to be visitors... It’s a shame that we feel we can’t trust folk to behave in a safe manner after seeing the awful behaviour of people on beaches, the tossers at a closed football ground, eejits going mental in Glasgow about some ferkin statues.

I'm just outside the area of SW Scotland which is being further locked down. No source for the Annan/Greta outbreak yet but local assumption is that it's visitors from Plagueland down south. Which probably isn't true, but there is a lot of suspicion around. Build that wall!

 

[dunedin]

Brilliant info Howard / Quandary.

Of course all the anchorages are open also

PS. unfortunately Noah has clearly been employed to supply the weather for Scottish “cruising freedom” day

 

[dunedin]

Tobermory has now reinstated more of its visitor moorings, now circa 15 I believe, and is getting a bit busier with yacht visitors.

And MacGochans is hoping to reopen on the 17th July , after the devastating fire last year.

The natives certainly seem to be friendly. But be prepared for a longish wait queued outside the Coop if you need supplies (other than what can be supplied in the pubs !)

 

[captainboo]

Millport moorings are now available. Currently only two of us here!