Web resources for west coast cruise?

[1114C]

Are there any? I have done the hard bit of persuading the lady in my life to forego a holiday in Europe to have a fortnight sailing around the west coast (we normally sail in the Clyde). I am very proud of myself for this achievement!

The hard bit is trying to find out from others experiences. I have sailed there a wee bit but only a day at a time and I know the area well from land but does anyone know of any web resources of trips that people have taken. I have bought the pilotage books but would love to read how other people have got on, what distances they did etc.

We hope to go north from Crinan although are not ruling out going down to Gigha/Islay etc.

Thanks

(background is we have an Oyster 26 and are competent at what we do if not massively experienced yet - no night time sailing for us!)

 

[Langouste]

need more info
where on west coast ?

Glad to help

Dave

 

[JimMcMillan]

Hi,best of luck on your cruise,hope the weather improves!but the west is the best,we set off in the middle of July if you wish some detail email me at my home address.but you can expect to have to do 1 50/60 mile trip and the rest of 20/30mls a day that will let you do a lot of anchorages.

 

[Rowana]

try-
http://www.oban.ws/yachting.html

We are chartering a westerly storm from Alba at Dunstaffinage at he end of July (27th).
Was in Ardfern earlier this year- Nice pub 5mins walk.
I think that would make a nice first step from Crinan, as it's not that far, and you can look forward to nice pub grub

Good luck
Jim

 

[1114C]

Thanks for the info so far

Was hoping not to do any massive days but realise of course that this will limit where I can go. I know also that there was a post similar to this before and repetition is dull but in the last one the guy was getting up to Ullapool in quite a short time - we have no intention of doing anything that big (not this year anyway)

Initial thoughts were:
Go to Ardfern (especially now I know there is a pub with food!)
Go to the back of Seil (Pullodharain?) via Cuan sound
Go up to Kerrara (couple of nights there)
Go down to Craobh
Go to Tayvaliich
Craighouse on Jura
Crinan

Are any of those totally crazy or am I missing somewhere that is not to be missed - the only leg I have done in any of these is Craobh to Tayvallich? I will want to build up some options into this so that exposed anchorages can be avoided in the wrong winds

I cannot believe how much I am looking forward to this trip - so much better than any Costa Del whatever!

 

[Gordonmc]

Gigha is best coming round the Mull... its a bit of a haul coming down from Crinan, although Tayvallich is a bolt hole if the beat against prevailing SWlys is too much.
A good reference is the PBO piece on cruising Scotland (421, Jan 2002).
It misses Ardfern which is a very good first call after clearing Crinan. A nice first day's sail and a nice spot. The pub (Isle of Lorn...?) is good.
The article also omits Tobermoray, which is a must at least once in a lifetime. Another favourite is Loch Linnhe and Port Appin. Very good restaurant with visitor moorings.
Hey, we could go on forever.
Have a good one.
Try www.sailscotland.co.uk for more. They have a listing of visitor moorings etc.

 

[JimMcMillan]

Miss Kerrera and go to Tobermory and The Mishnish

 

[Aja]

Tom

I suspect that for your first real cruise on the W Coast that your plan for easy jumps, taking a few days off is the best idea. I wouldn't expect a 26' yacht to be able to complete 50 - 60 mile jumps easily - unless conditions were favourable (wind + tide) unless you were prepared to give your partner more sailing than she may want.

I would say that Tobermory is a must; Loch Sween is idylic, Gigha is a bit of a tramp down but is nice to get to. Craighouse is also worth while if you consider a circuit down that way.

I alway look on our summer cruise as a holiday and if we get farther than expected it is a bonus. You dont have to sail every day, there are enough hills to climb and walks to walk.

Enjoy yourselves. The sailing. The scenery. If the sun shines, even better.

We will be doing West Highland week then cruising thereafter.

Fair winds

Donald

 

[Guest]

We had The Highland Sealord from Alba last summer - and had a fantastic week going to Tobermory, Muck, Eigg, Mallaig, and the Kyles and back down to Coll via Rum and Canna. We were fortunate with the weather (Barring one day lost to a 9). I can also recommend the pre-frozen meals from their local lady, especially the venison casserole. Solved on board cooking probs.
Watch out for the Friendly Minke Whales in the Sound of Arisaig. Big blighters, too.

 

[Jeremy_W]

I was first Mate on a Westerly Corsair chartered from Alba a good few years ago and it was excellent. First stop from Crinan - I'd say the visitors moorings at Craighouse, Isle of Jura.

 

[Rowana]

West Highland week

Donald,
When is west highland week?
I think it's the week we are chartering - 27th July.
If it is, could you give me some idea where all the boats will be each day so I can keep out of your way. Not that I have anything against you racy types, but it will be the first time chartering for my family, so we want to give you plenty sea room.

Jim

 

[Aja]

Re: West Highland week

Jim

Check out the excellent web-site www.whyw.co.uk
This details start times; courses and where the fleet will be holed up for each stage.

Don't end up like we were 4 years ago... drifting outside Pulldhobrain - no engine (well we did but it wasn't playing) - and suddenly 200 yachts come spouting out of the Sound of Luing at Pladda. Concentrates the mind into getting the boat moving. Luckily we quickly got the same wind the fleet had obviously carried with them and we made it into the anchorage without too many of the faster boats having to detour round us.

Any problems with dates - PM me.

Donald

 

[claymore]

Hello Tom
Much sense written below.
A mixed itinerary would give a cruise that looked a bit like this>
Day 1: When you come out of Crinan head for Ardfern - Good marina with showers and great Village Store. Galley of Lorne is OK (Pub) and Crafty Kitchen is fine for Tea and Stickkies (+postcards!!)_
Day 2: - Time this for westbound tide out through Dorus Mor and get the push all the way up the sound of Luing (Leave Cuan Sound out of it for the moment) and head right up to Puilldobrahn - going through Easdale Sound for a bit of variation and through Insh Sound look at the rock formations to Starboard.
Day 3: Ease on up to Kerrera - Great for Tesco in Oban - the water taxi runs regularly - last one back to the Island is at 23:00hrs. If you fancy eating out there are good restaurants in Oban but the farmhouse at Ardentraive is also really good (Take your own wine)
Day 4: - Have a sail up to Port Appin and play around the islands there - Airds bay is a good lunchtime stop. But go round the end of Lismore and anchor up there for the night
Day 5: Head up the Sound of Mull and into Loch Aline for the night. Sail up to the far end and pick up one of the moorings there. Go ashore and walk up to the Estate. There is a brilliant garden there where you can get fresh vegetables which taste like none you've tasted before.
Day 6: You may as well head for Tobermory. The moorings are £10 per night and there is a pontoon where you can leave the dinghy when you go ashore.
Day7: Go across to Loch Sunart and have lunch in Loch na Drumbuidh (or stay over) - if you are getting short of Diesel you could go up the Loch to Salen. He's a bit of a grumpy sod that charges for the moorings (I think there's a bit of an issue there at the moment) but his diesel and water are both clean and easy to fill - not like Tobers.
Day 8: Time for a bit of open sea if the weather is settled. Go out of the top of the Sound of Mull and down to Gometra North Harbour for lunch or a stopover. You could consider looking round the Treshnish Isles here as the Puffins are wonderful to watch.
Day 9: Take in Staffa, lunch at Iona, anchor in Bull hole or Tinkers hole.

Day 10 Down to Colonsay where you can moor alongside the pier. There can be a swell here so its best in settled weather. Buy yourself some bread at the bakers shop on the left after you come off the pier
Day 11 Destination is Croabh Haven. If the tide fits then head for Cuan Sound from Pladda (Top end of the Sound of Luing) If not then round the bottom via Ardluing and over to Croabh. Have something to eat in the Lord of the Isles. It got a lot better these past 2 years.
Day 12. Back to Crinan - Dorus Mor is the tidal gate its around an hour or 90 mins for you (I think)
Days 13 &14 - Back to the Clyde.
These are not long days - I just looked in my Log and it took me 12 hours to go from Croabh to Gometra at a steady 5 - 6 knots so you can always double up some of the days.
If the pattern is for southerlies then reverse the direction and go round Mull clockwise - The only exposed part is the Colonsay - N. End of the Sound of Mull and as I said if the wind is in the south it should give you some running and reaching conditions.
Someone Mentioned W.Highland week - keep away from Tobermory and Kerrera whilst that is running.
Have a good trip.




regards
Claymore

 

[claymore]

By written below - I meant in the other posts - not mine!!
Have a look in www.sailingindepth.com - I had an article published in there "Freebooter goes North" - it covers some of the area you are considering and gives mileages and some timings

regards
Claymore

 

[webcraft]

From Crinan Ardfern is a sensible and attractive destination, although it is a bit of a dead end. Puilldobhran is a god option midweek, but likely to be overcrowded at weekends leaving little swinging room.

Craighouse is excellent, visitors moorings are regularly serviced, pub is good.

Tobermory is possible in a reasonable day from Crinan if you get the tides right - a quick zoom out the Dorus Mor and up the Sound of Luing and you can still carry a bit of favourable tide into the Sound of Mull.

From Tobermory I'd recommend Coll if the weather looks settled - it has a real 'Edge of the World' feel but is only a few hours from Tobermory. Then, again if the weather is settled, complete a circumnavigaton of Mull via Iona and Tinker's Hole or Bulls Hole. You'll feel you've really been somewhere without having any overly long days.

Best source of up to date info re. visitors moorings and overnight stops is Visitors Moorings & Pontoons in W. Scotland at http://www.bluemoment.com/scotmoorings.html

Also some info on anchorages etc at http://www.westcoastboating.org/

(The Sail Scotland site is not particularly informative at the moment)

Have a great time,

Nick

BlueMoment.Com
http://www.bluemoment.com

 

[1114C]

Excitement levels reach new peaks

Many thanks for all advice given - I will pursue all web addresses and keep record of all advice which can only help us have a great cruise

If you see a wee Oyster looking hesitant in the canal then that is us

All I have to hope for now is the weather to be good - that could be more tricky!

 

[Jeremy_W]

It's not on the web, but Humperdinck, regular of these forums when not taking part in the Triangle race from Torquay, did a good article on Hebridean cruiaing in YM late last year. Apart from that I can add nothing to Claymore's contributions. I'm glad that the "Lord of The Isles" at Craobh has brought the food up to the standard of its warm welcome and good selection of malts [well I like Islays].

 

[Aja]

Isle of Jura for me every time....... unless I can get me mitts on a pint of Deuchars IPA!

Donald

 

[Budgie]

One of the so far unmentioned attractions of Jura is that the distillery will let you taste their different malts before you buy a bottle at their shop!

Enjoy your trip.

 

[claymore]

Oh well - if that's what you are into - go into Loch Ranza whilst you are on your way through the Clyde to Crinan - they'll give you a bucketful there.

regards
Claymore