Welcome Anchorages 2018

[Quandary]

Some one was asking about this a few weeks back, the 2018 version is now available packaged with Yachting Life magazine March/April.
At first glance it is the same as last year with very few updates and the same inaccuracies, but you can not blame the publishers if locals can not be bothered with sending in corrections. There are exceptions, the warden at Acarseid Mohr on Rhona has taken the time to send in an update but Loch Inver is planning extra facilities to open in 2016. The ads. are new and more up to date. This years innovation is a 'Scottish Canals Passage Guide' though it is not very accurate either, the quoted draught for the Crinan of 2.7m has not been available for quite a number of years now, you would think they might know, as they have to run water for anything over about 2.3m.
So if you have an old one you will be fine with it, like in previous years most harbours and marinas will have a stack for distribution.

You really need to be careful about some of the info. The cover picture is an aerial view of Killybegs Harbour complete with boats on its new pontoons but the entry for Killybegs says 'there are plans to build a marina, meanwhile there are three moorings available'.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Honestly never have seen the need for it or the information that it offers. A chart, digital or paper, a pilot book (optional), an internet capable phone (again optional) and you have everything to get the information and more. If I need something in a local place, I ask around, always more relevant than an internet search or pilot book.

 

[JumbleDuck]

Honestly never have seen the need for it or the information that it offers. A chart, digital or paper, a pilot book (optional), an internet capable phone (again optional) and you have everything to get the information and more. If I need something in a local place, I ask around, always more relevant than an internet search or pilot book.

I like it as a handy reference for phone numbers and VHF channels. Where it has them, the pontoon lettering schemes are useful too, and it's good for visitor moorings.

 

[lpdsn]

If I need something in a local place, I ask around, always more relevant than an internet search or pilot book.

That's the best approach. However, whilst Welcome Anchorages is really nothing more than a free tourist brochure I still find it more accurate than Reed's in many cases.

Thanks for posting Quandary.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Quandary, have you written to Welcome Anchorages and advised them of the mistakes, out of date information that you have noticed?

 

[Quandary]

Quandary, have you written to Welcome Anchorages and advised them of the mistakes, out of date information that you have noticed?

I thought someone would ask that, not surprised it was you.
No, but I am going in to the Crinan Canal office on Monday to book my berth for this season and I intend to mention their bit to them there, but I have done similar before without effect and they think I am a pedantic pain in the butt already. As far as the other places go, the errors and outdated stuff must surely be obvious to whoever proof reads it, there are a considerable number obvious enough for even me to notice them and I have only scanned a couple of pages. It seems inappropriate that someone who has not been in Killybegs for over twenty years should need to advise them to update their entry?
Like others, I have never placed great reliance on the info. there, but it is still an opportunity for coastal communities to promote themselves to yachties and for businesses to advertise but since the death of the original editor it seems not so reliable. I was annoyed one year visiting Ullapool, where it is never easy to anchor, it said there were visitors moorings by the harbour which did not actually appear for another couple of years but I blamed the harbour for it.
We will still carry it for similar reasons to JD but it is more for the crews benefit not the navigator.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

I thought someone would ask that, not surprised it was you. .....

Incredible! I don't why you bother.

 

[Quandary]

Incredible! I don't why you bother.

If this response indicates that you are annoyed, that was not my intention, I just know that you regard folk as having responsibilities.
I sincerely apologise for any irritation you may have experienced, I should not have personalised my response to your post.

 

[AngusMcDoon]

Quandary, have you written to Welcome Anchorages and advised them of the mistakes, out of date information that you have noticed?

I have, for years, as I spend all summer each year on the west coast, but my contributions go into a black hole and the same errors appear year after year, so I gave up.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

If this response indicates that you are annoyed, that was not my intention, I just know that you regard folk as having responsibilities.
I sincerely apologise for any irritation you may have experienced, I should not have personalised my response to your post.

Gosh! None taken, it's just banter and I am sorry for the acerbic tone. It's my grammar and the lack smileys, I dare say a similar exchange over a cup of tea would be interpreted differently.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

I have, for years, as I spend all summer each year on the west coast, but my contributions go into a black hole and the same errors appear year after year, so I gave up.

It is a shame because it could be useful, especially for tourists who charter or cruise in Scotland.

 

[Quandary]

I suspect the correction or update has to come from whoever presented the information in the first place, Bill Cowie successfully did it last year so it is possible.
Possibly a lot of Communities are just happy to be mentioned and can not be bothered to check for accuracy.

 

[Trop Cher]

I suspect the correction or update has to come from whoever presented the information in the first place, Bill Cowie successfully did it last year so it is possible.
Possibly a lot of Communities are just happy to be mentioned and can not be bothered to check for accuracy.

What was Bill Cowie's contribution or do you know if it's available online as I'm curious now?

 

[Martin&Rene]

They have still not put the new one up on the web yet.

http://www.welcome-anchorages.co.uk/

It will probably turn up in time for Easter.

I am just deciding whether to make it this years "impossible Challenge"; "getting a correction in Welcome Anchorages"

As someone, who was brand new to the West Coast of Scotland 8 years ago, we found it very useful. It is a pity more people don't read it, as you regularly hear people calling up Tarbert on 16, instead of 14.

 

[Quandary]

What was Bill Cowie's contribution or do you know if it's available online as I'm curious now?

He (from 2016) is offering 'crew pot dining' in the bunkhouse, breakfast packs, as well as the venison steaks and burghers and salads from their polytunnel.
Website is www.isleofrona.com

 

[Trop Cher]

He (from 2016) is offering 'crew pot dining' in the bunkhouse, breakfast packs, as well as the venison steaks and burghers and salads from their polytunnel.
Website is www.isleofrona.com

Okay thanks, I did try online but only the 2017 issue is available.
During 2017 he wasn't offering anything as he has been busy building his retirement house. There were signs up stating the Rona Lodge was closed. In fact he thought it was strange that yachts were still coming in despite the fact that Rona Lodge was closed!

 

[West Coast]

Question for Quandary - bit of thread drift, but would a boat of 2.2M draft still be OK to get through the crinan canal these days in normal conditions ?

 

[jamie N]

I became annoyed last year with it, when the publication became confused with Tarbert Loch Fyne, and Tarbert on the Isle of Harris. This year is different though, as Tarbert on Harris is described as it actually was 'last year', before the pontoon was put in, and the services added. HoHum; I didn't update them, so it's not their fault I'd guess, but next year, we'll be correct!

 

[ctva]

Question for Quandary - bit of thread drift, but would a boat of 2.2M draft still be OK to get through the crinan canal these days in normal conditions ?

You would need to ask the CC office as they would need to ensure levels as Quandry said. If you do touch, it will only be silt beside certain burns.

 

[pagoda]

Question for Quandary - bit of thread drift, but would a boat of 2.2M draft still be OK to get through the crinan canal these days in normal conditions ?

What's normal? They need the business these days. VIC32 which is by no means a fully laden puffer these days has small rollers on her keel to cope with the canal. Silt is not much of an issue, but shallow water west of Dunardry could be - remembering the loss of buoyancy -and the geology nearer Crinan. I would go very slowly right up the middle and nowhere else?