argyll and the islands
ARGYLL AND THE ISLANDS have a
larger coastline than that of France, and are
regarded by many as one of the finest sailing
areas in the world. The plethora of islands
ensures that sheltered waters are always
available for a pleasant day sail, whilst for
those seeking greater adventure it is also
possible to undertake longer coastal and
offshore passages. The region has much to
offer the visiting sailor, with a wide variety
of sheltered anchorages together with many
moorings, harbours and marinas. Facilities
for the sailor have increased significantly in
recent years and a number of new pontoon
facilities have been installed. Wildlife is in
abundance, in, on and above the water, and
many boats will simply drift along taking in
the whole spectacle.
Sailors arriving from the south or east will
usually arrive from one of two directions
- the Mull of Kintyre or the Crinan
Canal, which has a reputation as ‘Scotland’s
Prettiest Shortcut’. Many Scottish sailors will
often start their season in the Firth of Clyde
and then move through to the west coast for
the summer months through this picturesque
short cut, and will usually break their journey 31
at one of the pontoons along the canal to
take advantage of the pubs and hotels at
Ardrishaig, Lochgilphead, Cairnbaan and For those who seek a quiet anchorage for
Crinan Looking north over Oban Marina, Kerrera to . The journey can be done in as little the night then Lowlandmans Bay on the east the Firth of Lorne, Argyll © Dennis Hardley.
as four hours for those ‘in the know’, whilst side of Jura offers shelter from most wind
for those who wish to take a more leisurely directions, whilst Loch Tarbert on the west village bay offers superb shelter from
approach the transit licence allows you up to side of Jura is a favourite with many local all wind directions, and has a number of
three days to complete the passage. sailors. The Loch has three separate parts, sheltered moorings and a few pontoons
with the navigation getting progressively which are mainly suitable for smaller boats.
SOUND OF JURA more difficult the further in one ventures. If weather conditions are stable then an
Those arriving from the Irish Sea via the However, seclusion is usually guaranteed, alternative anchorage can be found at The
North Channel and Mull of Kintyre, or those together with stunning sunsets and the Fairy Isles a short distance from the village
visiting from Northern Ireland, will usually opportunity to see the deer come down to where a barbeque can be had ashore whilst
sail north via the Sound of Jura. They will the waters edge in the evening. For those watching the local seal colony (or are they
often make their first landfall at Islay, Jura with an interest in geology the northern watching you?!).
or Gigha. All three islands have mooring shores of the loch also comprise some of the
facilities for the visiting sailor, whilst Islay also best examples of raised beaches to be found Further north both Loch Crinan and
boasts pontoon facilities at Port Ellen. Jura within the UK. the Sound of Jura lead into the wonderful
also has new pontoons at Craighouse (suitable sailing areas of Lochs Craignish, Shuna
for dinghies) and has recently upgraded the Sailors remaining within the Sound of Jura and Melfort. All three lochs boast
16 moorings in the bay. Both Islay and Jura have the option of venturing up West Loch excellent marina facilities at Ardfern
are well known for their distilleries; Islay has Tarbert or Lochs Sween and/or Caolisport Yacht Centre, Craobh Haven and
a total of eight and Jura has one. Most of the on the eastern (mainland) side of the Kilmelford Yacht Haven respectively,
coastal distilleries have their own moorings or sound. West Loch Tarbert extends deep whilst numerous anchorages exist for those
small pontoons for visiting boats. The more into the Kintyre peninsula, with the head who prefer. Again, shelter is available from
pastoral island of Gigha has a reputation for of the loch being less than a mile from the every wind angle. The Dorus Mor lies at
fine sandy beaches, wonderful gardens and a harbour of Tarbert. There are a number the south end of the Craignish peninsula
particularly mild climate, and is usually able to of anchorages within the loch, and an old and forms the first of the important tidal
provide shelter from most wind directions in pier at the eastern limit. Loch Caolisport gates in this area. A general comment
one of its many bays. has little shelter from the prevailing wind is that whilst the tides may be strong at
but makes a pleasant day sail. Loch Sween times they are predictable, and provided
is the most visited of the three, with the visiting sailor can read a tide tables and
Looking north across Craobh Marina, Shuna the small village of Tayvallich offering a tidal stream atlas they should present no
and the island of Luing, Argyll © Scotavia. popular overnight stopping point. The real difficulties.
www.sailscotland.co.uk
Argyll & Islands.indd 3 11/12/09 12:34:41
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76