fiknown Oyster Bar, which provides visitor rth of clyde
moorings for those intrepid sailors who
make it all the way!
THE UPPER FIRTH
A new option for the cruising sailor is a trip up
the Clyde to Glasgow. The Clyde, after years
of decline is coming to life again, and there are
potential stopping places on the way up the
river at Bowling, Clydebank and Braehead,
before reaching Glasgow Harbour. Here there
are pontoons on either side of the river at the
new BBC building; they are free to use, but
should be booked in advance.
The pontoons are upstream of the opening
Millennium Bridge. The pontoon on the
north bank outside the Crowne Plaza Hotel
can be booked by calling SECC and the new
pontoon on the south bank at Plantation
Quay can be booked by calling Glasgow City
Council. For boats with an air draft of less
than 5 metres wishing to go 1 mile further different places, which are often separated by
upstream to the city centre (* maximum Scottish Series participants rafted up at Tarbert tens of miles of road, or only linked by air or Loch Fyne, Argyll © Dennis Hardley.
clearance under the Bells Bridge, Clyde ferry. In a sailing or power boat these journeys
Arc and Tradeston footbridge at high tide) are simple, and as a result very satisfying. And
there are two more pontoons controlled by when you are not sailing? This is a world class event also hosts courses for less competitive
Glasgow City Council, at the Broomielaw tourist area, with attractions ranging from yachts and one design classes, at a time of the
and under George V Bridge. archeology and castles to distilleries and superb year perfect for honing performance for the
restaurants, so it is almost as interesting being summer season regattas. The regatta is based All take visiting craft and all have security
ashore as it is fun being afl oat. in the picturesque waters of Loch Fyne with suitable for their City Centre locations. To the berthing and regatta centre located in the
request opening of the Bell’s and Millennium Try it. You won’t be disappointed. stunning natural harbour village of Tarbert on
Bridges please call 0141 946 5186 at least 8 the Mull of Kintyre. The event is organised 29
hours in advance or when booking a berth. EVENTS by the Clyde Cruising Club (www.clyde.org)
Whilst Scotland may be best known for the and, in 2010, will form part of their centenary You can get lots of information on all aspects
quality of its cruising waters, it also has an celebrations. The event will take place of sailing in the Firth of Clyde from the
enviable reputation for hosting excellent between 28th and 31st May, and is preceded by Clydeport Leisure Marine Guide, available
racing and cruising events throughout the feeder races from both Bangor in Northern free everywhere or to download from www.
year. These vary in size and competitiveness, Ireland and Inverkip in the Firth of Clyde.clydeport.co.uk. In particular, it deals
but all share the common theme of superb with the passage up the river to Glasgow.
sailing combined with sociable relaxation At the other end of the scale (and the Firth Glasgow is a fascinating city to visit, packed
after the event itself. itself) Stranraer Marina staged its fi rst Marina with history, culture and entertainment Festival in May 2009, and plans are already
events. Now you can see a great city and live The premier event of the year is the Brewin underway for a repeat event in mid May
in comfort on your own boat. Dolphin Scottish Series (formerly Bell 2010. The event is a mixture of both land-
Lawrie Scottish Series), which is recognised based and waterborne activities, and will One of the benefi ts of being a tourist by boat
as one of the UK’s top yachting regattas incorporate a boat jumble for 2010.in the Clyde area is the relative ease in visiting
and is the largest Scottish yachting event.
Competitors travel from around the world The Firth of Clyde is also host to numerous
Campbeltown Harbour, Argyll to compete in the only international standard other race events throughout the season, some
© Scottish Viewpoint. competition for IRC yachts in Scotland. The of which are scheduled to encourage boats
taking part in the BDSS to prolong their stay
over three or four weekends. The larger yacht
clubs also host their own series throughout the
whole year, with local classes such as the Piper
also being catered for. Full details are available
from the Clyde Cruising Club or the Clyde
Yacht Clubs Association (www.cyca-online.
org.uk) who also have their own handicapping
system for non IRC boats.
Finally, Scotland also hosts a number of
prestigious events for the dinghy enthusiast.
Most of these are hosted by the Scottish
Sailing Institute (www.scottishsailinginstitute.
com) and are centred around Largs. For
2010 the headline event is the World Laser
Championships which takes place between
the 6th and 14th July. This will be followed by
the World and European Laser Radial Youth
Championships between the 17th and 25th July.
www.sailscotland.co.uk
Firth of Clyde.indd 11 11/12/09 12:26:19
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