east coast
The East Coast of Scotland has much
to offer yachtsmen, be they visitors en
route to other cruising areas or sailors who
keep their boat in one of the increasing
number of marinas or harbour facilities.
Until recently the East Coast perhaps had a
tendency to be seen as ‘the missing link’ in
a potential circumnavigation of Britain, but
recent developments mean that it is now as
well served as any part of the Scottish (or
indeed, British) coastline. The completion
of this missing link has resulted in many
new marina facilities between the border at
Berwick and as far north as Wick. Many
of these marinas are within former fishing
harbours, and whilst some may be smaller
than others they all offer a warm welcome.
Furthermore, many of the ‘unconverted’
fishing harbours are now only too pleased
to welcome visiting yachts, meaning that the
choice of destination is no longer automatic
and a variety of passages may be planned.
Starting in the south, the first pontoon Dunnottar castle, Aberdeenshire
The popularity of Scotland as a cruising facility can be found at © Dennis Hardley.Eyemouth.
ground for continental boat owners, Once a busy fishing harbour, it is now an
particularly those wishing to follow the path increasingly common sight to see visiting available at Granton which are ideally
of Bjorn Larsson and sail ‘The Celtic Ring’, yachts lying alongside. Port Edgar is still suited for an excursion into the city centre.
has meant that many visiting boats will now the main marina facility on this stretch of
call in to some of the East Coast destinations coast, from where it is possible to cruise Further north beyond Anstruther and the
enroute to either the Caledonian Canal or the Firth of Forth to destinations such as Fife peninsula, pontoon facilities are also
the Pentland Firth. As some of the facilities the new marina at Anstruther on the Fife available at Tayport near to the mouth of
are smaller than others it is therefore coast, or further east around Bass Rock. the River Tay, and a short distance across
advisable to check in advance whether or not Port Edgar also hosts a busy sailing school the estuary there is now a marina facility
a berth is likely to be available. operated by Edinburgh Leisure, and offers at Arbroath. North of this is the longest
the full range of RYA sailing courses. The stretch of ‘pontoon free’ coastline, the next
Findochty harbour, Morayshire marina is well suited as a temporary home facility being at Peterhead Marina some
© Dennis Hardley. for visitors from the continent who may 60 miles further north. However, this does
wish to leave their boat for a few weeks not mean that there is nowhere to stop as
whilst they fly back home from the nearby Aberdeenshire Council now encourages 53
Forth Rail Bridge © Scottish Viewpoint airport. There are further pontoon facilities yachts to visit many of its harbours along
the coast. Some of these are ideally located
for exploring Royal Deeside, whilst others
offer a range of shops and restaurants in
which to relax.
Turning westwards into the Moray Firth
the choice of destinations significantly
increases. Both Banff and Lossiemouth
boast new marina facilities, complimenting
that at Whitehills and the pontoons in
the picturesque harbour of Findochty
(opposite). This stretch of coastline is a
popular dolphin watching area, and most
crews will be accompanied by dolphins
riding the bow wave for at least a short
distance.
Vessels heading for the Caledonian Canal
will head up the Firth into Inverness,
passing under the Kessock Bridge en route
– note that the bridge has a clearance of
just under 90’, sufficient for most but not
www.sailscotland.co.uk
East Coast.indd 3 11/12/09 13:34:38
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