argyll and the islands
it benefited from further improvements it is possible to carry a fair tide for over eight Looking west across Ardfern and the Craignish
to the pontoons and a new shower block hours up to Tobermory. Typical ‘tidal lift’ is well Peninsula to the Gulf of Corryvreckan, Argyll © Unknown, source Ardfern Yacht Centre.
and toilets for visiting sailors. The mooring over a knot, increasing the time that one is able
facilities have also been recently upgraded, to continue with sails rather than engine –
and as a result it is now usually possible to many charter boats return at the end of a week Hebrides will take you to the outer islands
avoid having to anchor in the bay on all but having only run their engine for an hour or so of Barra, Harris and Uist. For those on 35
the busiest of weeks. The town is a useful each day to try and keep batteries charged! a limited timescale it is probable that these
refuelling point for both vessels and crew, Naturally, there is a price to pay for this bonus, destinations will have to wait for another
and has many famous watering holes as well and it is that it is usually possible to carry the trip, and instead the choice will either be to
as a distillery. south east going ebb tide for just five hours head west for the islands of Coll and Tiree,
or so but, as many find out, this gives more or to turn southwards along the western side
At this point it is perhaps worth illustrating just excuses for dropping the hook and relaxing. of Mull. Both routes involve open water
how useful the tides can be in assisting with sailing, and are often rewarded with sightings
passage making along this part of the coast. THE INNER HEBRIDES of whales, basking sharks, dolphins, porpoise
Back at Crinan low water is approximately Venturing west from Tobermory out and numerous sea birds.
one hour before Oban, and the actual tidal of the Sound of Mull one is presented
flow turns about one before low water by with a number of route choices – if time The Island of Coll has one very sheltered bay
the shore. The northwest going flood does permits then the northern option will take at Arinagour, the main town on the island,
not turn at Tobermory until 15 minutes after you around Ardnamurchan and into where there are a limited number of moorings
high water Oban. Therefore, by timing your the sailing waters around Skye and the and plenty of suitable anchorages. The
departure from Crinan, Ardfern or Craobh North West, often via the Small Isles, neighbouring island of Tiree is better suited to
Haven for two hours before low water Oban whilst heading west across the Sea of the a daytime anchorage as most of the bays are
tobermory
Tobermory is the main town on Mull and is popular with
visitors of all ages, having been popularised in the children’s
television programme ‘Balamory’. The town has its own
distillery and plenty of pubs and restaurants at which to relax
and enjoy a dram, the most famous of which is the Mishnish.
For the visiting sailor there are excellent pontoon facilities and
a new shower block and toilets, together with a large amount
of serviced moorings. If a visit should coincide with inclement
weather then Tobermory provides an excellent base from
which to explore the island; regular bus services will take you
to the Ross of Mull from where a boat can be taken to Iona or
Staffa and the Treshnish Isles, or a daysail can be had across the
Sound of Mull and into the sheltered waters of Loch Sunart.
www.tobermory.co.uk
www.sailscotland.co.uk
Argyll & Islands.indd 7 11/12/09 12:42:41
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