Tags: Bargain charter prices, sailing in Scotland, Scotland Sailing, yacht charter, Yacht Charter Scotland
Read Part 4
We got up early to catch the tide down the Sound of Mull and make our way to Kerrera for some crew changes. Being close to Oban it has good transport connections and also gave us the opportunity to have a meal ashore in one of the restaurants on the North Pier.
The next day after the crew change over and some provisioning we carried on our way to Puilladobhrain where we were going to anchor for the night. Being not much more than an hours sail from Oban it makes a good stop if you can’t leave until after lunch. There was limited space there as 15 boats were already anchored, but we found a gap and enjoyed what remained of the sun while watching a seal play around the boats in the hope he would get lucky with some food.
Sunset at Puilladobhrain
The next part of the trip was going to take us south again, although when we left Puilladobhrain we hadn’t actually decided where we were going to stop. We left early and passed Insh Island, Easdale, and retraced our steps through the Cuan Sound. We had decided we wanted a mooring or a berth rather than anchoring and that gave us options of Kilmelford Harbour and Pier, Kilmelford Yacht Haven, Craobh Marina or Crinan boatyard. After deciding that Loch Melfort would probably be more peaceful than Crinan boatyard we headed there and picked up a mooring at Kilmelford Harbour and Pier, just in time to inflate the dinghy before lunch, and to spend a leisurely afternoon on shore.
Fishing boat on the beach at Loch Melfort
The final part of our trip was to take us to Ardfern where we were leaving the boat. As we got ready to leave the wind picked up and we had one of the best sails of the trip down Loch Shuna, through the Dorus Mor and up Loch Craignish, avoiding the lobster pots as we went. We were tied up in the marina about 4 and a half hours later and cleaned up the boat and ourselves before we treated ourselves to a final night dinner in the Galley of Lorne.
Tags: Craobh, Crinan Canal, Loch Melfort, Oban, Puilladobhrain, sailing in Scotland, Sailing Scotland, Seil, Tobermory, West coast of Scotland
Read Part 2
The next day we had planned to head to Oban and try to sneak into Kerrera to berth while all the West Highland Week fleet was out racing. However, we had a change of plan and decided to head for Loch Aline instead where we could spend the night at anchor. Having spent the first part of our holidays in marinas and canals we were looking forward to the change.
We left Craobh and headed for the Cuan Sound, a picturesque narrow channel between the islands of Seil and Luing. We passed by Easdale and headed up the Sound of Luing aiming for the Sound of Mull. There was quite a breeze once we got into the open water and having started with one reef in the main and a well reefed genoa we decided we’d be more comfortable with a second reef and further tested our single line reefing (a pleasant change from the slab reefing which we were used to!). Feeling more under control we headed again towards the Sound of Mull passing Insh Island to starboard, and the entrance of Loch Spelve to port. Just as we were reaching Lady Rock we saw the lead boats in the West Highland Week fleet heading past Lismore Light in the Round Lismore Race. This year they had gone anti-clockwise around Lismore Island. Following close on their heels was the rest of the fleet. Being used to being part of the fleet I hadn’t realised how spectacular it could look, and seeing all the yachts reaching along the island side by side was really fantastic.
West Highland Week passes Lismore Light
We carried on up the Sound of Mull passing Glas Eilean to port and as we got closer to Loch Aline’s entrance rolled away the genoa, sailing through the entrance under the power of the main. You need to keep an eye on the ferry leaving Loch Aline as the entrance is quite narrow and meeting the ferry on its way out would have made it feel very tight for space. We dropped the main once inside the loch, decided where to anchor, and tested the windlass for the first time this trip. Anchored in 9m just into south of the entrance we found ourselves nicely sheltered from the southerly winds forecast, and although another 5 or 6 boats joined us throughout the rest of the day it remained peaceful. The plan for the next part was to head for Loch Drumbuie, and then to make the short hop to Tobermory to join in some of the shoreside festivities that accompany West Highland Week.
Tags: Craobh, cruising, Cuan Sound, Easdale, Kerrera, Loch Aline, Loch Drumbuie, Luing, Oban, sailing in Scotland, Sailing Scotland, Seil, Sound of Luing, Sound of Mull, Tobermory, West coast of Scotland, West Highland Week, west highland yachting week, yacht racing
Read Part 1.
The rain from the previous day had gone when we got up, but it didn’t seem far away. We decided to stay above the canal basin and watch all the boats head through the locks - and as the fleet was heading through for West Highland Week there was almost guaranteed to be some entertainment…
As we had our morning coffee the bottleneck began and we were glad to be tucked in out the way against the wall.
Crinan bottleneck
As most of the yachts were heading North through the Dorus Mor most had to be away by lunchtime, and with the bottleneck over we enjoyed a peaceful afternoon and evening with coffee and cake outside the Crinan coffee shop, and later some drinks in the Crinan Hotel bar.
Sunday started a bit sunnier, but with strong winds forecast we decided just to head to Craobh marina, which gave us the option of heading to Oban the next day if the forecast was still for strong winds. We thought we might have seen some of the West Highland Week fleet racing from Craobh to Oban, but we were just a bit too late and just caught the tail end of the fleet rounding the bottom of Shuna, heading up the Sound of Luing and past Fladda Light.
As the weather was nice we extended our sail and went past Craobh, into Loch Melfort to investigate the anchorages and moorings there. Then it was back to Craobh to settle for the evening and enjoy the fabulous sunset.
"Dileas", and the Craobh sunset
Tags: Craobh, Craobh haven, Craobh marina, Crinan, Crinan Canal, cruising, Fladda, Loch Melfort, sailing in Scotland, Sailing Scotland, Shuna, Sound of Luing, West coast of Scotland, West Highland Week, west highland yachting week
…. some West Coast antics
…on the good ship “Dileas”
Tags: sailing in Scotland, Sailing Scotland, West coast of Scotland
The recent spell of gloriously sunny weather looked set to end this week on the Clyde, but so far at Kip the rain has not managed to make a lasting appearance. Good news for the two sailing courses out! One course was out over the weekend and arrived back in this afternoon having had some rain, but also enough time to dry out before having to pack away their things and head home. The second course departed yesterday after some berthing practise. The weather forecast showed numerous low pressure systems heading their way and it seemed like they were doomed to a damp week, but it turns out that if the weather holds as it has done the last couple of days they may only get rained on in the mornings!
Looking out at Kip Marina at the moment the sun is beating down on the boats, but many of the berths are empty as people have gone on their summer cruises. This weekend the Clyde Cruising Club holds its annual Tobermory Race, a race popular with members who want to go sailing around the west coast for their holidays. With options to sail Round the Mull to Crinan on the 17th July, or to go from Rothesay to Ardrishaig on the 18th, heading west through the Crinan Canal, to join up with the boats which have gone Round the Mull for the second part of the race from Loch Craignish to Tobermory on the 19th July. This year the tides appear to have been kind to the competitors with a 9am start rather than the 4am start it often can be.
The last Fairlie Yacht Club event was the Holy Loch Race on the 4th July. Light winds meant the racing took most of the day, but the fleet managed to avoid most of the rain showers which were gracing our shores that day. The next Fairlie event is not until the 15th August with a crew race from Largs to Ardlamont, and a muster at Portavadie marina that evening.
With so many boats away, or about to head off on their cruising adventures, the marina is quite quiet, but there was some excitment as the marina’s resident swans hatched their eggs and 4 new signets are now learning to swim in the peaceful waters of Kip.
Proud parents with the new additions to the Kip family
Tags: Ardrishaig, Clyde, Clyde Cruising Club, cruising, Fairlie Yacht Club, Kip, learn to sail, musters, Portavadie marina, Rothesay, RYA sailing courses, sailing in Scotland, Sailing Scotland, West coast of Scotland, yacht racing
Saturday’s sail on board “Blue”, our Moody 54, went down a storm…
At the wheel..
Itinerary: Kip - Rothesay - Dunoon - Kip…
Chilling at the stern..
Max. boat speed 7.5 knots…
Max. wind speed 39.5 knots…
Cutting through the waves...
Other daysails available on Saturday 27th June, Friday 24th July and Saturday 29th August. Contact Charter For You for details.
Tags: Blue, day sails, Daysails, Dunoon, Holy Loch, Kip, Moody 54, Rothesay, sailing in Scotland, Sailing Scotland
Blue - our Moody 54 under sail
If you’re looking for something a bit different for Father’s Day this year why not treat him to a day’s sailing on our Moody 54 “Blue”? Departing from Kip Marina this Saturday, 20th June at 9.30am, sail the beautiful Clyde, stopping somewhere peaceful for lunch, before returning to the marina about 4.30pm. You can take an active part in sailing the yacht, or you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the scenery. The day is all inclusive of a soup and sandwich lunch, and although we can’t promise glorious weather, the forecast at the moment, looks set for a sunny day!
Contact Charter For You on 01369 830 258 or via the contact form for further information or to book.
Tags: Blue, Clyde, cruising, day sails, Daysails, Father's Day, Kip, Moody 54, sailing in Scotland, Sailing Scotland
Hi Folks,
Just completed an RYA course as Instructor for Charter For You finishing on the 5th June. Had a mixed bunch comprising of Coastal Skipper Day Skipper and Competent Crew.
We were lucky to have a great bunch of guys on the yacht and enjoyed a week of fabulous sailing weather in the Firth of Clyde in Scotland.
Monday saw us leaving Kip Marina and setting off under power, after a couple of hours pontoon bashing, towards Lamlash on the Isle of Arran.
We used the time to practice various sailing manoeuvres under power as the winds were very light, which proved to be what we had for the most of the week with no rain at all, and spent some time spotting the seals and porpoises on the way.
Lamlash Bay, Isle of Arran
We arrived at Lamlash on the Monday evening and had our first meal on board, in sight of Holy Isle.
The Waverley at Campbeltown
Tuesday, with the sun once again splitting the sky, saw us set off South round Pladda Lighthouse on the South of Arran towards Sanda Island at the bottom of the Mull of Kintyre. Our Coastal Skipper produced a passage plan which allowed us to circumnavigate Sanda ensuring that we arrived at the optimum time of the tide to assist us through the tidal race and after poking our nose into the small anchorage we set off for a short stay at Campbeltown before our night sail back to Lamlash.
Having set off on the Tuesday night the forecast wind from the North veered round to the East straight on the nose and picked up. Made for great night sailing which took us right through to sunrise before we anchored off the Holy Isle in Lamlash Bay.
Wednesday was a leisurely start and we were treated to a group of about 10 dolphins swimming round the yacht as we left Lamlash Bay, making our way North towards East Loch Tarbert in Loch Fyne we spent some time practising MOB techniques and checking the boat distance log as we sailed past the measured mile markers on Arran. Another beautiful day finished off by a fine meal in the Anchor Hotel in Tarbert (excellent seafood).
Thursday was pontoon bashing again and we practised setting up tow lines with one of the other Sailing Schools who were also out enjoying Scotland at its best. Thursday afternoon found us making our way through the beautiful Kyles of Bute towards Rothesay with some more anchoring practice on the way, before mooring at the pontoons in Rothesay Harbour and a visit to the renowned Victorian Toilets (honestly)!
After a night ashore Friday seemed to have arrived all too soon as we set off towards Kip Marina. Some last practice at sailing onto moorings passed the morning before we arrived at Inverkip for a debrief, final boat clean and the award of those all important certificates to the deserving students.
The crew!
Sailing in Scotland on the Clyde, where else would you want to go?
For some additional pictures from this weeks sailing click here OR to book your sailing course click here for information.
Tags: Arran, Campbeltown, Firth of Clyde, Holy Isle, RYA sailing courses, Sailing, sailing in Scotland, Sanda Island, Scotland, The Waverley
The East Kyle from Rothesay Bay
Some pictures from the Fairlie Yacht Club opening muster have been added to the photo page - the weather, which was forecast to be wet and windy, stayed dry and windy instead and allowed a good race from Kip to Wreck Bay. The course was from Kip to Toward Point, round Mountstuart buoy, back to Bogany Point near Rothesay and finally up the East Kyle, finishing just at Colintraive in time for the muster in Wreck Bay.
There was a good breeze and many started with reefs in the main and small headsails. The fleet tacked towards Toward and after rounding Toward Buoy headed downwind to the Mountstuart safewater mark. After that it was back to beating to make the mark at Bogany Point and, for some, a sail change was called for as the winds lightened. With all reefs shaken out the fleet headed up the East Kyle, with the winds flukey, but most managing to make it to the finish in one tack. Those towards the back of the fleet found themselves waiting for wind to fill in to make it to the finish, but it seems that it was just the hills of the Kyles providing shelter from the wind as coming up to the finish the wind filled in again properly and the yachts were able to sail through the narrows at the Burnt Isles, drop the sails and prepare to drop anchor in Wreck Bay for the evenings muster.
The rain stayed away, except for the odd shower which was quickly blown away by the wind, and everyone ventured onto the beach for the evenings festivities. Wreck Bay stayed calm until everyone returned to their yachts - chased by a downpouring of rain, but better weather could not have been asked for as the breeze kept away the midges which always seem to find where the party is.
The rain disappeared by the next morning which allowed a leisurely start, and despite the odd shower throughout the day, the fantastic sailing weather continued. Those who made an early departure from Wreck Bay got to enjoy a downwind sail towards Rothesay and as long as you were on a port tack the sun was shining! The breeze meant that Rothesay was a good stop for a long lunch and a seat in the sun, with the entertainment provided by the local yacht club racing a variety of dinghys. The Rothesay Jazz Festival provided entertainment for those who went ashore, as did the usual array of pubs, and Zavaroni’s fish and chips!
After lunch a brisk sail back to Kip was had. The 20 - 25kts of breeze allowed for a speedy sail under headsail alone, and some record breaking journey times were recorded. Those who stayed out for the Monday holiday were not so fortunate with their weather for returning home. The winds stayed, but unfortunately the rain closed in and Monday proved to be a blustery day. We hope the weather for the next May weekend and the Scottish Series Racing stays a bit drier for all 3 days!
Tags: Bank holiday relaxation, Bank holiday sailing, cruising, Daysails, Fairlie Yacht Club, fish and chips, Kip, Kyles of Bute, Mountstuart, Rothesay, sailing in Scotland, Sailing Scotland, Toward, Wreck Bay, yacht racing, yachts, Zavaroni's
