NormanS
Well-Known Member
It can be awful. We had to clear out of Loch Resort, on the west coast of Lewis, because it was unbearably hot at 27°C.
West coast of Scotland - is it cruising friendly?
- Thread starter slawosz
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westhinder
Well-Known Member
Speaking as a foreign visitor to Scotland, as I presume the OP is too, I would put it firmly at the top of my list. When I did a trip round Britain a few years ago, I spent 7 weeks on the West Coast of Scotland. It is truly stunning and awe-inspiring and I felt that I had barely scratched the surface. I could easily spend a lifetime sailing there without ever getting bored.
What the locals have said about the weather is correct, but if you take your time and adapt your plans to the weather, it is perfectly feasible.
In over 30 years of cruising I have seen most of the coasts between Vigo, Spain and Oslo, Norway, and Scotland is by far my favourite. In all fairness I have to add that the S and W coasts of Ireland and the fjords of Norway are still on the to do list.
What the locals have said about the weather is correct, but if you take your time and adapt your plans to the weather, it is perfectly feasible.
In over 30 years of cruising I have seen most of the coasts between Vigo, Spain and Oslo, Norway, and Scotland is by far my favourite. In all fairness I have to add that the S and W coasts of Ireland and the fjords of Norway are still on the to do list.
zoidberg
Well-Known Member
'Ani fule can be wet and uncomfortable on a boat'.
There's a vast selection of anchorages and acheingly scenic bays and coves. The views are memorably beautiful.... when you can see them.
As one who has cruised that way more than a few times - and spent a week hanging on a club mooring at Oban, rain incessant, venturing out only to bale out the dinghy - I can recommend identifying, from the CCC Directions and here, those good anchorages which have a decent hotel attached, to which one can repair of an evening.... dry out, have a civilised meal, a chinwag, and a 'recommendation' from the selection of optics.
Gigha and Isle Ornsay come to mind. Mark 'em on your chart. I'm certain others will chime in......
There's a vast selection of anchorages and acheingly scenic bays and coves. The views are memorably beautiful.... when you can see them.
As one who has cruised that way more than a few times - and spent a week hanging on a club mooring at Oban, rain incessant, venturing out only to bale out the dinghy - I can recommend identifying, from the CCC Directions and here, those good anchorages which have a decent hotel attached, to which one can repair of an evening.... dry out, have a civilised meal, a chinwag, and a 'recommendation' from the selection of optics.
Gigha and Isle Ornsay come to mind. Mark 'em on your chart. I'm certain others will chime in......
grumpy_o_g
Well-Known Member
Take plenty of Deet if you can't get the Avon stuff (Skin so-soft I think) if the midges are out but, as above, most of all make sure your boat is well sorted for cool weather and lots of rain. If you're set up to be able to operate reasonably comfortably during 2 or three days of rain and no drying weather for a week or two then it's brilliant but a boat that hasn't got somewhere to dry things inside and a cabin that fills with condensation as soon as you put the heating on then you're probably in for a miserable time. There's a reason so many boats have wheelhouses up there.
rotrax
Well-Known Member
+1!
Last time we were there it was 7 degrees C in mid July.
It was cool and damp-even, as the locals say, soft-in South and West Ireland the following couple of seasons, but never that cold.
We would have liked to have seen the beautiful Scottish scenery when we were there, but it was mostly a rain sodden blur.
AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
Wrong time of year! The best weather is nearly always mid May to mid June. After that it goes continually downhill until the following Easter.
ctva
Well-Known Member
Ignore the nay sayers. Everywhere has its own charms and downsides. Remember rain and wind keep the midges grounded. Although I would thank them as it keeps it quieter for us in the know.
Jumbleduck certainly makes the most important point regarding the west coast and I have applied since a few years after starting sailing, 'The Plan'. Our sailing plan either for the weekend or summer cruise is always just 'that way' (pointing wistfully north westish). Like in the old days, so I'm told, you go with the weather and tide which can take you to places you never knew existed or looked dull on the charts. That way you are never disappointed or frustrated.
It took us 5 years of thinking about it to finally get to St Kilda last summer. We ere never disappointed the other four when we thought about it just had other adventures.
One year we got to the south end of Lismore. The usual summer weather was sitting over the UK with the forecast for the week unchanging. Decision time, NW to Tobermory and rain or NE through the Cally Canal to the Moray Firth and a week of sun with totally new and different places. The Canal is worth a holiday on its own.
Come up, enjoy the scenery, weather, tides, remoteness, hostelries and wildlife (locals included). You wont be disappointed.
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AngusMcDoon
Well-Known Member
... until reaching the Ooter Hebrides where they are all over the place now.. Stornoway, Lochmaddy, Lochboisdale, East Loch Tarbet.
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
We find that Smidge works very well.
ctva
Well-Known Member
At least they act as honey pots, leaving the anchorages quieter. :encouragement:
NormanS
Well-Known Member
Some of the above are decidedly NOT Marinas. They are installations of pontoons, which may, or may not, provide safe berthing. The unwary tend to assume that because there are moorings/pontoons etc, that these places will be safe and secure. No, you still have to consider the expected wind strength and direction.
Minchsailor
Well-Known Member
+1, +1, +1.
Stornoway, and possibly Lochboisdale (although I have not visited recently) afford decent shelter. Lochmaddy I would not consider in any sort of a blow. East Loch Tarbert is pretty grim next to the ferry berth, and untenable with wind with any east in it. The pontoon at North Harbour Scalpay is far preferable, but you have to accept the 'facilities' there are pretty limited.
rotrax
Well-Known Member
We were there from the end of May to mid July when First Mate said enough was enough. The 7 degrees C had a lot to do with it! We went back to Ireland, then to the IOM for the Classic TT and MGP.
It was awful most of the time in Scotland and we both caught heavy colds.
Quandary
Well-Known Member
The Scottish midge goes to Dunardry, half way along the Crinan Canal, when it is hungry, ( They are not actually that hungry, they are randy, a much stronger motivation) trees and shelter for the sex they intend to enjoy (just once) when they have had their feed of blood. I spent up to an hour a day there in summer and have tested Skin so Soft, Deet and Smidge. I can warrant of those Smidge is by far the most effective.
Rotrax is right, why suffer the privations of our West Coast when you could go to Brittany or West Cork?
Rotrax is right, why suffer the privations of our West Coast when you could go to Brittany or West Cork?
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
I once had to spend the night by the toilets at Dunardry (in the year of mandatory assisted passage: we left Ardrishiag at 9am and they got us to Dunardry for 5pm). I can testify that the midgies there are quite spectacularly voracious. I left an oil lamp burning outside (they like the CO2 which distracted most of them, but a few still found their way through the cabin ventilation. I have promised my crew, and myself, that if we are evr stuck in that God-forsaken hell-hole again we will spend the night in a hotel, regardless of cost.
"Bowmore is namely for the mudges"? Pah.
biscuit
Well-Known Member
You will need the right anchor.....
Stooriefit
Well-Known Member
Its simple - there is no finer cruising ground in the British Isles.
Zing
Well-Known Member
The language is an issue. Lots of guesswork needed. Don’t think it will help much if you understand English perfectly. There is no such thing as a Scottish language and no one speaks Gaelic hardly, so a dictionary translation is useless. Ya donna ha’ a wraa aboo tha roo?
NormanS
Well-Known Member
Midges (please not midgies) can only fly at 4mph, so realistically are seldom a problem when you're afloat.
On land, it's a different story.
On land, it's a different story.
scruff
Well-Known Member
Midges are also rarely an issue when anchored, provided you're anchored a couple of hundred meters away from the shore.
Spent several lovely evenings sat in the cockpit, enjoying the evening whilst those ashore are driven to distraction!
Spent several lovely evenings sat in the cockpit, enjoying the evening whilst those ashore are driven to distraction!