West of Scotland, some useful numbers?

[Quandary]

These are from my boat journal last summer but hopefully should be up to date, I presume like then most places may require pre-booking.
Campbeltown pontoon 07798524821
Crinan Canal (Helen) 07720275760 Toilet codes Crinan 523, Dunardry Toilet 521 Shower 5241, Cairnbaan 123, Bellanoch Bridge Toilet 123 Shower 521
Crinan Hotel 01546 830261
Oban Marina (Kerrera) 01631 565333, Oban North Pier pontoons 07388 808061, Cuan Mohr ( better food and drink than Oban Inn) 01631 565078
Loch Aline Pontoons 07583800500, Tobermory Harbour pre booking (9am-5pm)01688 302876 On approach 07917832497 or VHF ch.68
Salen Jetty (Mark or Jan) 01967 431510 or 07909944494
That was as far as we got, everywhere else ( Borrowdale Islands, Loch nan Uamh, Loch Ailort, Loch Moidart) we anchored but feel free to fill in the blanks.

We did not eat ashore often but would recommend the Ardshiel in Campbeltown, just behind the ferry pier, The Cuan Mohr in Oban on the front facing the North Pier, in Tobermory some of the better places were not functioning, we ate in McGoochans in Tob. which is even less appealing than before the fire, the pub grub there was okay, atmosphere upstairs funereal.

 

[[2574]]

In a similar vein I offer the following regarding the tide at Ulva Ferry. We were there summer 2019 when I took observations of tidal speed and direction at hourly intervals (it was blowing a gale so we couldn’t sail). Mooring at Ulva Ferry in the strong tide is tricky at best, at worst it can be gelcoat damaging. So here are my observations:

From LW Oban to 45mins before HW Oban there is very little tidal stream. However the ebb starts 45mins before HW Oban. At 30mins after HW Oban the ebb is running hard through the pontoons, observed at 2kts or more. It runs hard on the ebb until HW Oban + 2. At HW Oban +3 still ebbing but more gentle, at +4 no significant tide noticeable. Generally when arriving at Ulva Ferry the approach is from the south which means going beam on to the tide upstream of the pontoons if berthing on the ebb tide. Hence the stress.

So, for stress free berthing at Ulva Ferry its best to arrive no later than 1hr before HW Oban, that gives best depth of water and minimum tidal stream through the pontoons. It’s a lovely spot.

 

[yotter]

That's very useful info about the tidal flow at the Ulva pontoons. Since there is little flood and significant ebb, it would be less stressful if the fingers were to the south of the main leg, making berthing easier into the tidal flow But space is limited. Good info from Quandary also, as ever
Angus

 

[dunedin]

In a similar vein I offer the following regarding the tide at Ulva Ferry. We were there summer 2019 when I took observations of tidal speed and direction at hourly intervals (it was blowing a gale so we couldn’t sail). Mooring at Ulva Ferry in the strong tide is tricky at best, at worst it can be gelcoat damaging. So here are my observations:

From LW Oban to 45mins before HW Oban there is very little tidal stream. However the ebb starts 45mins before HW Oban. At 30mins after HW Oban the ebb is running hard through the pontoons, observed at 2kts or more. It runs hard on the ebb until HW Oban + 2. At HW Oban +3 still ebbing but more gentle, at +4 no significant tide noticeable. Generally when arriving at Ulva Ferry the approach is from the south which means going beam on to the tide upstream of the pontoons if berthing on the ebb tide. Hence the stress.

So, for stress free berthing at Ulva Ferry its best to arrive no later than 1hr before HW Oban, that gives best depth of water and minimum tidal stream through the pontoons. It’s a lovely spot.

Robih. Thanks for this. But excuse my ignorance, which direction does the ebb run in Ulva Sound, SE or NW?

We have only been there once, and arrived (carefully using Antares) from the NW. But the tide was going fast to the SE when we neared the pontoons - as I vividly remember motoring in reverse whilst the crew prepared the fenders and ropes, then reducing reverse revs to go into a berth (aided by the harbour master), then needing to keep a lot of reverse on whilst we secure the ropes.
Beautiful in sunshine when there, but not for the faint hearted (prefer the many nice anchorages in the area)

 

[[2574]]

Robih. Thanks for this. But excuse my ignorance, which direction does the ebb run in Ulva Sound, SE or NW?

We have only been there once, and arrived (carefully using Antares) from the NW. But the tide was going fast to the SE when we neared the pontoons - as I vividly remember motoring in reverse whilst the crew prepared the fenders and ropes, then reducing reverse revs to go into a berth (aided by the harbour master), then needing to keep a lot of reverse on whilst we secure the ropes.
Beautiful in sunshine when there, but not for the faint hearted (prefer the many nice anchorages in the area)

Flood trickles NW, ebb gallops SE. Sounds like you arrived when the ebb was running hard. Arriving from the NW would be better on the ebb as no need to go beam on to the tide. We assisted a large yacht which approached from the SE whilst the ebb was running, with shore crew available to set instant springs it was okay but important to get the stern line on quickly to prevent the stern swinging across the pontoons.