Wondering the practicality og a round UK trip next year

[srm]

I thought the definitions were
- Britain = the mainland island
- Great Britain - adds the islands
- UK - Great Britain plus Northern Ireland
So by that a Round Britain requires all the mainland headlands, but not Muckle Flugga or St Kilda.

Just out of interest, do you have a reference for these definitions? I may have been misled all these years.

According to my old blue cover passport I was a "British Subject" when resident in the Shetland Isles, which would suggest that the islands are as much a part of Britain as the mainland. They certainly come under the same legal and tax regimes legislated by the British Parliament in Westminster and the mainland Scottish legal system (pre devolution).

I seem to remember reading somewhere that the term "Great Britain" dates back into the mists of time to distinguish the Islands from the other lands of "Britain" in what is now known as Brittany and Normandy in France.

 

[ylop]

I think there is actually know definitive definition of Britain. Some mean it to be synonymous with Great Britain (Scotland, Wales and England combines) but historically it actually referred only to England and Wales so you could argue that going via the Canal is round Britain.

Terminology of the British Isles - Wikipedia

 

[Adios]

There must be a recognised definition of "round britain" as lots of people have set records over the years. I tried searching but gave up hoping for a map and all the websites are redundant round britain record at DuckDuckGo

One said it started in the solent so I'm guessing they didn't even go outside the Isle of wight and suspect its just the quickest you can get back to point A on the coast rather than going around every bit of GB.

 

[srm]

IIRC the original Round Britain sailing race, that later became the Round Britain and Ireland Race had fairly simple instructions: "Leave everything to starboard". So it was west of St Kilda and north of Muckle Fluga.

The powerboat version took the short cut through the canal. But then I remember hearing a radio broadcast advising that Plymouth Sound was closed for powerboat "offshore racing" so getting up to the canal must have been an ocean race by their standards.

 

[steve yates]

There must be a recognised definition of "round britain" as lots of people have set records over the years. I tried searching but gave up hoping for a map and all the websites are redundant round britain record at DuckDuckGo

One said it started in the solent so I'm guessing they didn't even go outside the Isle of wight and suspect its just the quickest you can get back to point A on the coast rather than going around every bit of GB.

At the very least, you should be going round the coast surely?
No matter how you cut it, going thro the cally canal and missing off approx a third of the scottish mainland is just not a circumnavigation of britain in any sense of the phrase.
Unless the scottish part is so unimportant to the notion of britain some may have that it doesnt count?

 

[Daydream believer]

Wondering if you’ve tried scopoderm patches? They were a game changer in this house which moved us from day sailers when we could predict the waves/swell to enjoying time at anchor overnight.

If you “need” a marina berth every night for a safe trip then I don’t think round Britain even via the caly canal is a sensible plan for you. I think it’s possible to plan an anchor & mooring ball free trip (and of course you can non-stop all the way), but stuff happens.

I tried them & at a clients office a couple of days before I was due to go. Prescribed by doctor then. I ended up in the clients sick room
as for your second comment. I did it twice with no problem regarding stop offs. so I think you comment unfounded.

 

[ylop]

I tried them & at a clients office a couple of days before I was due to go. Prescribed by doctor then. I ended up in the clients sick room
as for your second comment. I did it twice with no problem regarding stop offs. so I think you comment unfounded.

Just because you survived it twice doesn’t mean it was sensible. I’ve twice touched a live 240V cable - it’s not an experience I would recommend!

 

[Daydream believer]

Just because you survived it twice doesn’t mean it was sensible. I’ve twice touched a live 240V cable - it’s not an experience I would recommend!

you could say that about any form of sailing or sport. Just throw some negativity into it and we would do nothing.I felt no sense of danger and had opt outs where needed. That is why one does passage plans

as for electric shocks
Try 450 volts. It blew me across the room, off of a bench I was standing on, & the skin was hanging off my hand between my fingers like curtains

 

[Daydream believer]

Can someone tell me what actually so special about having to go round the top. i Have lived in Scotland and went to school on the borders for a while. Frankly once one has seen one heather clad rocky crag one has to admit they do tend to look alike. Walking in the hills with my grandfather ( he did work as a guide for a while so trod many a rocky crag) was more a case of- well we have done it- rather than anything else.
I have to admit that my first trip was to say that I had done it. The second was to enjoy it. But no way do I think I missed out in not going round the top just to say I had “done it”

 

[newtothis]

Can someone tell me what actually so special about having to go round the top. i Have lived in Scotland and went to school on the borders for a while. Frankly once one has seen one heather clad rocky crag one has to admit they do tend to look alike. Walking in the hills with my grandfather ( he did work as a guide for a while so trod many a rocky crag) was more a case of- well we have done it- rather than anything else.
I have to admit that my first trip was to say that I had done it. The second was to enjoy it. But no way do I think I missed out in not going round the top just to say I had “done it”

Overheard in NZ back in the 80s from a US tourist: If I see one more beautiful view I'm gonna puke.

 

[B27]

Can someone tell me what actually so special about having to go round the top. i Have lived in Scotland and went to school on the borders for a while. Frankly once one has seen one heather clad rocky crag one has to admit they do tend to look alike. Walking in the hills with my grandfather ( he did work as a guide for a while so trod many a rocky crag) was more a case of- well we have done it- rather than anything else.
I have to admit that my first trip was to say that I had done it. The second was to enjoy it. But no way do I think I missed out in not going round the top just to say I had “done it”

I'm not sure what some people find so 'special' about 'going around' compared to say 'sailing nearly to the top and back'.

People should do what they choose, for their own amusement.
I don't think there's any great kudos in having taken a yacht around the UK, compared to having gone to Mull and back from the South Coast.

The other thing is, many people who claim to have 'sailed' around the UK used vast amounts of diesel in the process.
I've no desire personally to emulate those who've been around in engineless craft, but that's 'sailing' around the UK or 97% of its population or whatever.
I'm happy to use my engine when I need to, but I would rather sail where I can than motor for a bucket list.

 

[B27]

Can someone tell me what actually so special about having to go round the top. i Have lived in Scotland and went to school on the borders for a while. Frankly once one has seen one heather clad rocky crag one has to admit they do tend to look alike....

Overheard in NZ back in the 80s from a US tourist: If I see one more beautiful view I'm gonna puke.

Photo's of Scottish islands would often benefit from photoshopping in a few more trees and stuff.....

 

[srm]

Shetland is a special place across mid summer when in never gets dark for around three months. Orkney's landscape is different to any other that I have seen in Scotland. St Kilda has a unique landscape. Fair Isle and Foula, are probably the two most isolated inhabited islands in Britain. All very different from the Borders, which I agree can get a bit monotonous.

But then if you are not at all interested it is a lot better that you leave these places for those who do appreciate their varying character.

 

[newtothis]

Photo's of Scottish islands would often benefit from photoshopping in a few more trees and stuff.....

It ain't all trees in NZ, either.

 

[ylop]

you could say that about any form of sailing or sport. Just throw some negativity into it and we would do nothing.I felt no sense of danger and had opt outs where needed. That is why one does passage plans

So perhaps your can't anchor was slightly disingenuous and you meant you strongly prefer not to.

Can someone tell me what actually so special about having to go round the top. i Have lived in Scotland and went to school on the borders for a while. Frankly once one has seen one heather clad rocky crag one has to admit they do tend to look alike. Walking in the hills with my grandfather ( he did work as a guide for a while so trod many a rocky crag) was more a case of- well we have done it- rather than anything else.
I have to admit that my first trip was to say that I had done it. The second was to enjoy it. But no way do I think I missed out in not going round the top just to say I had “done it”

Well I think that was Dunedin and other's point about whats so special about the East and going round at all (one muddy harbour is much the same as another).

I think if you look at every one of the Scottish islands and think they all look the same you are missing something. Some are mountainous, some are flat, some have sandy bays, some have massive cliffs, some are moderately populated, some deserted with histories to tell about why, some abundant with bird life, some with fertile farmland. If you read Hamish Haswell-Smith's book and say "meh" they are all the same then its probably not for you. If the contrast is fascinating, the colours and landscapes relaxing then perhaps you missed something. The same is true of the mainland coast. Now you don't necessarily need to go via the Pentland Firth to enjoy everything west of it (but then you've missed Orkney and yet more interest/contrast) but many who take the short cut are going Campbeltown (or Bangor) - Oban; perhaps via Islay or Mull and then to Fort William, but miss the small isles, skye, outer hebs etc

 

[NormanS]

I've been sailing around the UK for many decades, but I've only sailed ROUND the north half.

 

[srm]

A bit different to the Border's crags:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/18/7e/57/187e576a74fd3cacbc7f896da14db1ad.jpg

 

[Daydream believer]

A bit different to the Border's crags:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/18/7e/57/187e576a74fd3cacbc7f896da14db1ad.jpg

Did Tobermory, fingles, cave & Staffa on the mcbayne. ferry out of Oban.when I was 11.
and if you want see a lump sticking out of the sea then there is always the bass rock
That one even has some bird droppings stuck to it to add colour

 

[srm]

Did Tobermory, fingles, cave & Staffa on the mcbayne. ferry out of Oban.when I was 11.
and if you want see a lump sticking out of the sea then there is always the bass rock
That one even has some bird droppings stuck to it to add colour

Don't worry, I am encouraging you to stay away. The nearest marina is umpteen miles away across open ocean.

 

[ylop]

Did Tobermory, fingles, cave & Staffa on the mcbayne. ferry out of Oban.when I was 11.
and if you want see a lump sticking out of the sea then there is always the bass rock
That one even has some bird droppings stuck to it to add colour

To me there are three obvious reasons why people sail round Britain:
1. To say they did it / tick the box
2. To enjoy the scenery / culture / history etc on the way round
3. To challenge themselves with / experience different / difficult sailing conditions

some people do it for one of those, some for a mixture. All of them seem legitimate reasons, some appeal to me more than others. But all 3 are better if you go the long way round! To do it twice it can’t really be just about the first one, so why then did you go back?