srm
Well-known member
Yes, it does make a nice cruise. Have done that a few times, from both Shetland and Orkney. Can I claim to have "circumnavigated Britain via the Caledonian Canal"? After all its much more interesting than the coast of England.
UK cruising/circumnavigation planning - big questions so far
- Thread starter Doodles_McStrife
- Start date
Bristolfashion
Well-known member
Daydream believer
Well-known member
You do not have to go there. In fact you may be better off not bothering. The idea is to give it a miss & circumvent as much of Wales as possibile.Nah, it's not a circumnavigation if you don't go to Bristol!
By the way. Does not round Jersey & Guernsey make up for a bit of Scotland? Both great places to go on the trip .No rocky crags & deer, but a couple of castles for those so inclined.
srm
Well-known member
Of course I couldn't go there, I was almost traumatised during my formative years while working with a team of scientists studying "fluid mud"and its movement for the Port of Bristol. It gave me a healthy taste for waters clear enough to see the bottom when looking for a patch of sand to place the anchor in.Nah, it's not a circumnavigation if you don't go to Bristol!
My last boat was "Escapade of Bristol" when I bought her - changed it to "Escapade of Kirkwall" to acknowledge that she would be sailing in clearer waters.
Fr J Hackett
Well-known member
Well I can agree with you about avoiding as much of Wales as is possible and it’s possible to avoid it entirely.
capnsensible
Well-known member
Scotland tourist tax????
Pressure mounts for tourist tax on cruise passengers as ship numbers boom in Scottish waters
Pressure mounts for tourist tax on cruise passengers as ship numbers boom in Scottish waters
dunedin
Well-known member
As a result of representations by RYA Scotland, the Cruising Association, British Marine Scotland and others the draft legislation for a Scottish Visitor Levy has been amended not to try to cover small boat moorings. It was explained that it was a bit impractical for many visitor moorings run by community volunteers and payment by honesty boxes etc. A good result for boaters (and another disproof of the “what did the Romans ever do for us” types.)
But a levy on cruise ship landings seems a good idea - there were FIVE in Orkney on one day last week, and at least 2 most days. Huge impact on small islands. But they don’t stay overnight and all meals etc on board so currently little benefit to most local communities.
srm
Well-known member
Its eight years since I left Orkney. While I was there Orkney Harbours, a department of the Islands' Council was spending a lot of time and money promoting the islands to the industry as a cruise ship destination. Apparently ships plan their itinerary around five years in advance. If the islands are suffering then part of the responsibility lies with the local authority for accepting so many ships. One or even two smaller ships were manageable but five on the same day looks downright stupid and is under the harbour authority's control.
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