Visiting the west coast of Scotland this year, any hints?

[Quandary]

From Belfast Lough where I was based for years before moving to W. Scotland there are 3 or 4 recommended passages.
Best is Gigha ( moorings, but uncomfortable in fresh N.E.)via the Mull of Kintyre (11 hrs. leave around H.W. Dover for a six hr. lift to the Mull with a push on up on the new flood.)
Alternative harbours on the same schedule but further West are Port Ellen (for the malt,with pontoons in the harbour or free moorings) or Craighouse Jura (moorings) To break the trip use Glenarm, this is a marina but in an old harbour small and friendly. From Gigha you can reach Tobermory (pontoons and moorings, magical) in one (long) day or break trip at Puldobhrain (anchorage) or Kerrera, Oban (marina or moorings)
The second option is Campbeltown (pontoon, seven hrs. from Bangor) leave an hour after H.W. Then to Loch Ranza and E. Loch Tarbert (11-12 hrs direct from Bangor) THen perhaps Kyles of Bute. Alternative destination is Lamlash or Troon (9 hrs . but C.town is a more comfortable mainly coastal passage)
The third popular destination is Portpatrick 4.5 hrs(alternative Stranraer) but it a long way South and should be regarded as an alternative to Bangor, it is only really useful for a weekend visit or if you want to visit the Clyde marinas perhaps via Girvan, don't waste time on these, none of them are worth your journey and most could be anywhere.
You can anchor for free in most of the harbours I mention, beyond the Mull visitors moorings are either free or about a tenner, pontoon berth in Port Ellen up to 10m. £12, about £18-20 in Oban or Tobermory
However I personally would want at least 2 weeks north of Belfast but that allows for a couple of days in hand for strong S winds on the way home. If you ever race at all, even white sail W. H. Y. Week at end of July is magic, visiting Croabh, Oban and Tobermory with passage races.
You will need a tidal atlas to make the times I have listed, with Dover tables and the Clyde Cruising Club Pilot books are good for both passages and anchorages, if going outside the Mull I have a old version for that area you could have for free.

 

[Seven Spades]

Try this link

http://www.fidlersferrysailing.org.uk/docs/Scotland%20West%20Coast%20bolt%20holes.pdf

 

[Mark-1]

This might (or might not) give you a few ideas:
http://fattie.freehostia.com/KnotPilot/

 

[Skylark]

Good morning Stu,

Undoubtedly better to take more time off work!

However, if you're short of time then I'd suggest staying within The Clyde. Less likely to become weather bound. You must, must, must do the Kyles of Bute. Almost as stunning as the North Wales coastline /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[AngusMcDoon]

I've been to the Clyde 3 times from Peelyweely over the years, but each time it has been for 2 weeks, not 1. I'd feel that with only 1 week I would have been spending too large a proportion of the week getting there and back.

If you do give it a go there and back in a week, it will still be worth it though, because you can always rely on the stunning summer weather...

Added Clyde Wherizit fun...where's that?

 

[Aja]

Campbeltown - during the last heat wave....

Donald

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Aye and aye.

Ok McDonald, ye paukie primsie spotter o'places Scots, where in the Lallans is this wee parish...

McDoon

 

[Sgeir]

Hmm, when I first saw it, I thought it was the Appin narrows from the Lynn of Lorn, but the hill on the right doesn't look lumpy enough. And it's not in the Lowlands either.

Pass. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[AngusMcDoon]

It's not too far off the track from the Clyde to Peelyweely, nor too far from my stated corner of God's Own Country.

 

[Aja]

Cumbrae?

Only a guess.....

Donald

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Nae, tis awmaist kintra o'Sassenachs.

 

[Aja]

...I'll take that as a 'no' then....

Donald

 

[Solwaycruiser]

Think ye wull need tae gee um a clue. Whut about the firin range or perhaps the murder at the lighthouse

 

[Sgeir]

Ah yes. I can vaguely remember the murder case; there was a yachting connection too....

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Aye.

 

[Ubergeekian]

[ QUOTE ]
Thinking of Pwllheli - Dublin - Bangor, then across to where? Any recommendations on pilots? Tips, where to avoid? When is midge time?
Stu

[/ QUOTE ]
Bangor is in easy striking distance of the inside or the outside. I'd suggest choosing on the day, based on the forecast and the timing for rounding (or not) the Mull of Kintyre.

Good inside destinations are Campbeltown, Lamlash, Rothesay/Port Bannatyne or Millport. The marinas are all much of a boring muchness.

Good outside destinations are Gigha, Crinan, Tayvallich (but it's a heck of a long way back out again) and Colonsay.

As for pilot books, the modern ones are OK if you want big, popular anchorages. If your tastes are more for the remote and unserviced - "Stores: eggs at far. Water: at burn." then you need an old hardback CCC guide. I use a 1936 one myself, because it fits my bookshelf better. You can trust it for the few navigational aids we have up here (what's GPS for anyway?) but the islands haven;t moved much over the last 70 years and the older guides have far, far, far better coverage of the smaller anchorages.

Finally, it's probably worth considering Portpatrick as an alternative to Bangor. Or saving a bit of time and doing Wales - Peel - Scotland.

 

[marknicho]

Having chartered quite a bit in the Clyde. My favourite spots are Tarbert, Kyles of Bute, Rothesay (Victorian toilets at the harbour must see and the fish and chips from Zavaroni's a must eat), Lochranza (wild deer running through the town) and Lamlash Bay.