sailscotland 2020

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Cruising Essentials

 A Hamish Haswell-Smith Reading © Moonshadow Yacht Charter Ltd An adequate folio of corrected charts is, of course, a given for exploring the Hebrides, but if you wish to immerse yourself in this connoisseur’s cruising ground, you’ll need the works of Scotland’s cruising triumvirate!

The Clyde Cruising Club has published Sailing Directions for Scottish waters since its inception in 1909, first as the well-known Blue Book which was published in ten editions until 1974 and latterly in five separate volumes. Since 2011 these books have gradually been merged with Martin Lawrence’s Yachtsman’s Pilot series with editorial control remaining with the CCC ( www.clyde.org/publications ). Then there is Bob Bradfield’s Antares Charts – a source of ‘unofficial’ very large-scale electronic charts and related pilotage information created by yachtsmen for yachtsmen. Focusing on the West Coast of Scotland, it is aimed at experienced navigators to supplement information available from

more authoritative providers. The UK’s official surveying and charting authorities have not resurveyed many of the more interesting channels and anchorages of the West of Scotland since the advent of satellite positioning and often do not publish charts to a sufficiently large scale to meet the needs of the more adventurous yachtsman. Bob’s 461 charts can run seamlessly with UKHO- type charts on PCs, iPads, iPhones and Android tablets and phones ( www.antarescharts.co.uk ). With the advent of Antares Charts, we have safely navigated our Oyster 68 Moonshadow into some of the more “interesting” nooks and crannies of the Hebrides.

And then, when you have arrived at yet another intriguing anchorage, Hamish Haswell-Smith’s book “The Scottish Islands – A Comprehensive Guide to Every Scottish Island” will tell you everything about the island; from geology, history and ownership to flora, fauna and folklore. Described by the Sunday Times as “the acknowledged Rosetta Stone of island hopping” there is seldom a day goes by onboard Moonshadow without a reading from the good book! Colin Taylor

Moonshadow Yacht Charter Ltd www.symoonshadow.co.uk

www.sailscotland.co.uk

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