Wintering in Scotland

[spuddog]

Fishy,good,I rather hoped you were not that particular guy (very strange character).
Anyway,just got my BSS for the canal and it was done by Gerry at Caley for approx £140,fairly painless procedure.

 

[Blue_mischief]

Look at Lossiemouth

I know of a liveaboard at Losiemouth and another couple overwintering there. Seems a nice place and not far from Elgin (bigger) and Inverness.

 

[Fascadale]

Good showers in Lossie but I can't say the same of the Indian just up from the harbour

 

[FishyInverness]

Out of interest Temptress, now that it is firmly winter in this part of the country(!) Have you decided on a 'home' for the winter then?

 

[temptress]

Out of interest Temptress, now that it is firmly winter in this part of the country(!) Have you decided on a 'home' for the winter then?

Temptress is in Portsmouth - our cruise next year means we will be NORTH. I have wintered before in Norway but don't fancy that again. We are deciding on a plan for next year...........

 

[FishyInverness]

Oops, I seem to be in the wrong year, happens a lot at this season!

 

[ukmctc]

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.

Inverness marina, if you are leaving the boat and not going back to it till April, no facilities there, the toilets/showers are closed during the winter due to freezing, as the management refuse to leave the heating on in the portacabins,(still portacabins as owner not interested in building toilet/shower block), the pontoons and walkways do not treated in the winter, its a long, long walk to find out the toilets are closed in the early hours, the staff do less hours and often not to be seen over the weekend during winter months. Security none, lacking not really any as the gate code is known by everyone in Inverness, and the main gate at the yard can be accessed by putting your arm through and opening it. Its dark and not well lit, its on the end of an industrial estate, which is also dark and dirty, 30 min walk to town centre no shops nearby, no buses, taxi's expensive to Tesco and back. The access road is over waste ground and not maintained. Electricity is about £40 a month, min for liveaboard usually more.
apart from that its great, better off at the canal.
The Basin has full heated facilities, laundry, shops 5 mins away, superstore 5 mins away, access to buses to town every 10 mins, and chandlery 5 mins and 20 min walk.

 

[ukmctc]

Good showers in Lossie but I can't say the same of the Indian just up from the harbour

depends on your draft in lossie, you hit the bottom regularly if not on the last four berths and your over 1.5mtrs.
facilities good but a long walk, better than Inverness though, but access can be tricky if your over 30 feet.

 

[ukmctc]

Wick is a great place for the winter, good shelter too, harbour master always about. Facilities are good.
Whitehills not bad, a bit expensive for NE Scotland but ok if you like eating out like a posh yachty.
Peterhead excellent but book early.
The canal (Caledonian) is good, you can also berth at Caley marina too, facilities are limited but ok, my mate Laurey has been there for years, no security though.
Ardrossan, great, full facilities, good security, bus and train 2 mins away. excellent protection.
Oban, not great, but trendy.
Portavardy, great, full facilities, full security, posh yachty.
Fort William closes in winter, so don't.
Troon, has the facilities but poor/no security as Baggypipes can tell you.
On the Glasgow side I'd say avoid, in general not nice but I'm an eastcoater myself.
Ireland, Carrickfergus great, full facilities. Bangor, expensive and keep adding rules to make life hard onboard. Belfast no!
Shetland fantastic, Orkney Stromness great but no showers/toilets have to use ferry terminal.
Hope that helps, have a good one.