Wintering in Scotland

[temptress]

So we are planning a crazy trip next year and it looks likely we will have to overwinter in Scotland.

I could quite fancy doing so somewhere in the Caledonian Canal or perhaps the West coast somewhere. Interested to hear thoughts.

I am not so much interested in cold/damp discussions - I have spent several winters on-board in Norway, in other parts of the UK and the MED - I just don't know Scotland.

Anyone care to comment?

 

[TimBennet]

If it's the Caledonian Canal that takes your fancy, then the Inverness end has far less rain and far more going for it , than the Fort William end.

Lerwick in the Shetlands even promotes itself as somewhere to overwinter and I think it would be great to be part of a remote community for a winter.

The other end of the scale would be the new marina right in the heart of Glasgow. Loads to do everyday in a fantastic city.

I would avoid like the plague any of the anonymous marinas on the Clyde and elsewhere.

 

[temptress]

If it's the Caledonian Canal that takes your fancy, then the Inverness end has far less rain and far more going for it , than the Fort William end.

Lerwick in the Shetlands even promotes itself as somewhere to overwinter and I think it would be great to be part of a remote community for a winter.

The other end of the scale would be the new marina right in the heart of Glasgow. Loads to do everyday in a fantastic city.

I would avoid like the plague any of the anonymous marinas on the Clyde and elsewhere.

Thanks for this. Not considered Glasgow but will look into it. The Shetland idea could be interesting as well would certainly appeal to us. never considered that at all as i fancied the canal but we are in the early planning stages - just ideas realy right now, Got the whole winter to make plans.

 

[baggypipes]

wintering in scotland

hi i posted some time ago on this subject.
We are currently wintering in Troon on the Clyde we are here till next april, can highly recomend it, we live on board full time, do not have our own transport so needed somewhere with good public systems.
we looked at every marina within the area & Troon came out tops. It offers good protection, very good rail & bus links to Glasgow etc, a car hire company who will collect you from the marina, a great town with supermarkets. Not to forget the great welcoming & helpful staff, all at a very good price, only one other was a little cheaper but we didnt fancy the closed in feel with blocks of flats overlooking us & a very run down town.
PM me if you want any further info.

 

[TimBennet]

"the closed in feel with blocks of flats overlooking us & a very run down town."

Can we try and guess? Was it Ardrossan?

 

[temptress]

Thanks

I may take you up on your offer of more info. We are still at the early dreaming stage. I will search for your other post as well.

 

[FishyInverness]

Inverness Marina is a lovely new construction, but it's location in relation to the rest of inverness is abysmal and in itself is just a commercial area which has had the marina "slotted in".

I'm not sure about the availability of wintering at the Seaport Marina (Muirtown Canal Basin) - though I should as I live right next to it! But it's a far more attractive place, and Caley Marina is also pretty if they allow you to liveaboard while moored there (it was always a bit of an informal arrangement and not official AFAIW)

 

[theforeman]

.... The other end of the scale would be the new marina right in the heart of Glasgow....... .

in your dreams, my friend - or perhaps in " new glasgow marina " ....


















...... nova scotia

 

[Relax]

Inverness Marina is a lovely new construction, but it's location in relation to the rest of inverness is abysmal and in itself is just a commercial area which has had the marina "slotted in".

I'm not sure about the availability of wintering at the Seaport Marina (Muirtown Canal Basin) - though I should as I live right next to it! But it's a far more attractive place, and Caley Marina is also pretty if they allow you to liveaboard while moored there (it was always a bit of an informal arrangement and not official AFAIW)

I think the location of the marina is brilliant - its just that the coouncil won't allow the necessary shops, bar, etc. due to its own corrupt vested interests.

The car park at the marina is used now by folks just coming to 'sit' and view the bridge and narrows - if the area around was cleaned up and better facilities provided it would be self supporting even without the marina.

 

[FishyInverness]

I think the location of the marina is brilliant - its just that the coouncil won't allow the necessary shops, bar, etc. due to its own corrupt vested interests.

The car park at the marina is used now by folks just coming to 'sit' and view the bridge and narrows - if the area around was cleaned up and better facilities provided it would be self supporting even without the marina.

The way I had understood it, the reason for the non-development is a lack of funds, but I haven't followed any planning apps so can't really comment - if it is the council it's typical of their priorities - I wonder how quickly it would become viable if Tesco owned the Marina?

I've also been reliably informed that the land isn't owned by the council - the large flat empty bit is owned by a haulier company.

Agree with you on the sit and view bit, I do it myself now and again...I still think it's too desolate and in a commercial area to be anything more than functional, and would give thumbs up to Muirtown Basin anytime (though the logistics of entering/leaving are probably more complex)

 

[NormanS]

So we are planning a crazy trip next year and it looks likely we will have to overwinter in Scotland.

I could quite fancy doing so somewhere in the Caledonian Canal or perhaps the West coast somewhere. Interested to hear thoughts.

I am not so much interested in cold/damp discussions - I have spent several winters on-board in Norway, in other parts of the UK and the MED - I just don't know Scotland.

Anyone care to comment?

Well, some of us live here and do it every year.

There are several west coast marinas in which it is OK to winter afloat. Also as mentioned, the Caledonian canal, where we wintered afloat for 20 years. The Caley is run by BW, so for a stay of more than a month a "Boat Safety Scheme" safety survey is required.

If you want to winter ashore there are plenty of suitable, and some very good, boatyards.

 

[Fascadale]

I think you could do much better than Troon or Inverness, admirable places though they are.

What about on the brand new pontoon in Salen, Loch Sunart

Not sure if there is any water or electricity on the pontoon yet, there is a pub in the village, the nearest small shop is a couple of miles away, nearest supermarket in Fort William, one bus a day but if you want a truly west coast winter Salen is the place.

(no connection but I like the place and drink in the pub every now and then)

A winter in Stromness would be good. There is a co-op there and a I think there is live (traditional) music in the pub every Friday. The Orkney Islands are really interesting .

 

[baggypipes]

I think you could do much better than Troon or Inverness, admirable places though they are.

What about on the brand new pontoon in Salen, Loch Sunart

Not sure if there is any water or electricity on the pontoon yet, there is a pub in the village, the nearest small shop is a couple of miles away, nearest supermarket in Fort William, one bus a day but if you want a truly west coast winter Salen is the place.

(no connection but I like the place and drink in the pub every now and then)

A winter in Stromness would be good. There is a co-op there and a I think there is live (traditional) music in the pub every Friday. The Orkney Islands are really interesting .

not very good for wintering on board eh as the original question

 

[spuddog]

If you go for the Seaport in Inverness (BW) I notice they have laid a couple of new pontoons recently which seem to be unoccupied at the moment so there would appear to space.

 

[Digger F]

I guess Caley Marina is the better option for the weather and facilties as opposed to Ft Bill. I thought the new marina is on Harbour Trust land but unlike Caley there is no public transport in the vicinity or Coop, Lidl, Aldi and the new sports store "Go" . Caley have several "liveaboards" to my knowledge even though the "Shearwater" has gone.

 

[FishyInverness]

If you go for the Seaport in Inverness (BW) I notice they have laid a couple of new pontoons recently which seem to be unoccupied at the moment so there would appear to space.

Was at a BW meeting over last weekend and it appears the new pontoons are destined for Residential moorings under the new Scottish Waterways (or whatever they're going to call it after the "divorce") plans.....they *may* be useable as Leisure Moorings in the meantime though.

Either Caley or Seaport Marina are both very pretty and mainly peaceful places to winter, I would say and as Digger says, plenty of local amenities...(The Go Outdoors store is actually pretty funky and worth a visit too!) Two Chandleries within walking distance (Caley Marina who have full boat repair and servicing facilities (My previous employer!) and Gael Force (My current employer! ) and also a damn good pub (Clachnaharry inn) nearby. Also Worth considering is Dochgarroch at the head of Loch Ness (A British Waterways mooring), very pretty, serviced, with a local shop/restaurant/post office, but a bit more remote.

Oh, and if you stay at Seaport, feel free to drop in for a cuppa, i'm just up behind the Sea Scouts building and before the Petrol Station!

 

[davidroyboy]

wintering in scotland

this will be my fourth winter at SEAPORT MARINA in inverness.new facilities just built this year.walking distance to the city,fuel and good staff and very good rates.send me a PM if you need any more info.cheers david.

 

[Orla]

Hi I can agree with fishy & Daveroy..
We stayed in seaport for a couple of years while we were getting rid of our wee cottage and worldly goods. also spent some time at Caly getting a stern arch built and at Dochgarrock for a while, probebly need a car if staying at Dochgarrock, its also pretty hard to get a place there.
Good wifi at all three places and very good facilities, at Caly marina anyway, the others are perfectly acceptable.....
The worst part of being there for us was the boat safety scheme, utter *******s.
Two very good swinderlys as mentioned.
You can get stuck in for long periods of time, but if you are happy staying put then very good place.

 

[spuddog]

Amazing,this has sort of turned into an Inverness story.Anyway I have just got a permanent mooring at Dochgarroch (2 year waiting list).Lovely spot though.
All the people I have met at Dochgarroch (residents and BWB have been great).
The folks at Caley marina are all good guys.
Fishy,are you the guy with Titanic etc?

 

[FishyInverness]

Amazing,this has sort of turned into an Inverness story.Anyway I have just got a permanent mooring at Dochgarroch (2 year waiting list).Lovely spot though.
All the people I have met at Dochgarroch (residents and BWB have been great).
The folks at Caley marina are all good guys.
Fishy,are you the guy with Titanic etc?

It has rather hasn't it? Must back up what Lord M said though...if you winter at Seaport (Or Caley), you could well be stuck there a while, not sure that there is much lock activity over the winter. With the Boat Safety Scheme, I am relying on a half-remembered sketchy memory from when I worked there, but I think I recall something about Caley Marina being exempt as it's not owned by BW, so if you're wintering there, you *might* be able to avoid having to have it, please don't take this as gospel though, but worth an enquiry with them. I know that Jamie Hogan at Caley can do the assessment check for the certificate though.

And no, categorically no, I am not Titanic man! He scares me (but another good reason to winter at seaport, the car crash effect of looking at that garden! ).....My cat does tend to go hunting in the titanic a lot though!

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/w...tanic-for-his-maritime-museum-86908-23030606/

http://www.titanicinverness.co.uk/