skye and the north west
Kyleakin and the Skye bridge, Highland passing the fishing port of Mallaig to the on the mainland shore and at Kyleakin
© Dennis Hardley. east and Armadale to the west – the on Skye. The former offers train
latter is generally favoured by yachts and connections to Inverness and a good range
Whilst it may be the smallest of the Small offers moorings and other yacht services. of shops. The eastern end of the Loch is
Isles Muck is also the most fertile, and Mallaig offers an opportunity to fully re- home to the castle Eilean Donan, whilst
has been owned by the same family for provision the boat, train connections on the western end is crossed by the more
more than a century. Although small it is what was recently voted one of the best recent and contentious Skye Bridge,
also very welcoming to visiting yachts; the railway journeys in the world, and ferry under which all but the very largest of
island web site (www.isleofmuck.com) connections to Armadale and Inverie. yachts can safely navigate (clearance 29m
gives directions to the two anchorages on A visit into Loch Nevis forms part of at MHWS).
the island, Gallanach and Port Mor. the itinerary for many visitors, with
Of the two Port Mor is much easier to the Old Forge at Inverie offering an Immediately to the north of Loch Alsh is 43
navigate with a clearly buoyed channel, enticing combination of free moorings, Loch Carron; many cruising boats will
perches at the entrance and a sectored a landing pier, excellent food, drink and visit the village of Plockton in the south
light. The holding in port is also good with entertainment, whilst others will head east of the loch, which now has pontoon
a sandy bottom. for Isle Ornsay on the west side of the facilities for visiting boats as well as a
Sound where the Duisdale Hotel has five number of serviced moorings - please
SOUND OF SLEAT AND THE EAST moorings. note that the pontoons are only for
SHORE OF SKYE daytime embarkation, and are not suitable
To the north of the Small Isles the ‘usual’ The northern head of the Sound of for overnight berthing.
circuit would be to continue north Sleat is formed by the tidal gate of Kyle
eastwards up the Sound of Sleat, Rhea where the mountains literally meet Venturing still further north the busy port
the sea. To the north lies Loch Alsh, of Portree on the north east of Skye is
Eilean Donan and Loch Alsh, Highland with pontoon facilities for visiting yachts often visited (now with upgraded daytime
© Dennis Hardley. available at both the Kyle of Lochalsh pontoon facilities and sixteen visitor
loch moidart
Loch Moidart lies to the north east of Ardnamurchan Point on the
mainland shore. On the chart it does not appear to be anything
special, and reference to the pilot books will strongly suggest that
sailors of a nervous disposition are best advised to give it a wide berth!
However, the Loch is a favourite with not only charter skippers and
local sailors, but also with international yachting journalists (see page
10 of this magazine).The entrance is certainly far from straightforward
but, provided the rocks guarding the entrance to the north channel
have been correctly identified, the hazards are well known and can
be easily followed. This is certainly a case where accurate pilotage is
more important than being able to use a chart plotter, with the final gap
being only ten metres wide, but once you have squeezed through this
the Loch opens up to a much larger void. The main anchorage is very
sheltered, and offers good holding and total peace and tranquillity.
www.sailscotland.co.uk
Skye & North West.indd 7 11/12/09 12:53:32
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