sailscotland 2020

 Close encounter with a Minke, Sound of Mull © Rhonda Newsham

FIRTH OF LORNE AND OBAN Travelling north via one of the tidal gates of the Sound of Luing, Cuan Sound or the Gulf of Corryvreckan brings the sailor to the Firth of Lorne. After passing the islands of Easdale and Luing, many boats will stop at the popular anchorage of Puilladobhrain (pool of the otter) from where a pleasant evening walk over the hill takes you to the ‘bridge over the Atlantic’ and the local inn. A short distance further north, it is possible with the use of local sailing directions to follow the buoyed and tide-dependent channel into Loch Feochan which has mooring and yard facilities in its north- west corner at Ardoran Marine. Oban, the principal town and port of the area, has most major facilities and is the focal point for many sailing events during the season. As part of an evolving harbour management strategy, the Oban Bay Management Group has introduced a new code of practice which visiting vessels should be aware of (available online and highlighted on page ???? ). There is a landing pontoon and 16 visitor moorings located at the north end of Carding Mill Bay. The relatively new Oban Transit Marina installed at the North Pier provides step-ashore berthing facilities in the heart of Oban. A total of 39 berths up to 12m in length are provided with the breakwater

pontoon capable of berthing 50m+ vessels. Additional berthing and marina services are provided by Oban Marina on the nearby island of Kerrera. Here, the restaurant offers evening meals, and during the summer months the marina operates an hourly ferry service to and from the mainland, landing at Oban’s North Pier. Bookings are necessary, and arrangements can also be made for out-of-hours and private water-taxi services. A short distance north of Oban there is another serviced marina at Dunstaffnage, also with an on-site bar and restaurant. Boats making for the Caledonian Canal will continue north up Loch Linnhe to Corpach, passing the popular anchorage of Port Appin or taking one of the various complimentary moorings owned by the various lochside hostelries including the Pierhouse Hotel, Appin, and the Holly Tree, Kentallen. There are further stopping opportunities at Loch Leven (for boats able to pass under the Ballachulish Bridge) and at Corran during settled weather. In 2016 a new landing pontoon was installed at Fort William, on Loch Linnhe, not only to facilitate cruise ship visits but allowing visiting yachts to stop off on their way to and from the canal. Bear in mind that, at present, the pontoon is very busy during cruise ship calls, but interesting plans are afoot

to develop facilities further here in the future. SOUND OF MULL Sailors venturing west will head up the Sound of Mull, passing Duart Castle as they enter. This is the final tidal gate in the area and west of here the tides are typically less than one knot. Lochaline lies a short distance up the sound on the north shore and, while very sheltered, required anchoring overnight in deep water in the past. However, pontoons and step-ashore facilities are now provided, including showers, toilets, a laundrette and wi-fi access on the west side of the loch, with the village within easy walking distance. Entrance in and out of the loch usually requires a favourable tide, which is the case with many west coast lochs. Tobermory is the main town on Mull and a popular tourist destination. A useful refuelling point for vessels and crew, it also has many famous watering holes as well as a distillery. Tobermory has benefited from improvements to its pontoons and a modern shower block and toilets for visiting sailors in the harbour association building. The mooring facilities have also been upgraded and, apart from in the busiest of weeks, it is now usually possible to avoid having to anchor in the bay.

sail scotland 2020

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