sailscotland 2020

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES While the east coast may be seen as a cruising route to some sailors, for others it represents their home waters and as a result hosts many activities during the summer months. For example, the Scottish Traditional Boat Festival (https:// stbfportsoy.org) takes place at Portsoy in late June. The festival puts a special emphasis on boat building, restoration and sailing. Also highlighted are traditional crafts including knitting, weaving and embroidery. In August/September there is East Coast Sailing Week, an annual event covering Scotland’s east coast and the north-east of England. Held in rotation in the Tay estuary, the Forth estuary and waters off the north-east English coast, the event started in 1987 and has become the area’s premier regatta. It attracts boats from the Moray Firth, Tayport and England as well as some from the Firth of Clyde. There are also a number of club and visitor regattas during the season on the east coast, the main focal point being Port Edgar on the Firth of Forth. Further details of these events can be found at www.fyca.org.uk

water during normal operating hours. Inverness Marina is a relatively new, fully serviced 150-berth marina located outside the canal entrance on the south side of the firth with access available in all tides. This, together with a 75-berth marina at Seaport just inside the canal, makes an ideal base for exploring Inverness or a point for arranging crew changeovers, taking advantage of excellent road, rail and air links. Boats that are heading on to Orkney or beyond need not venture up the firth but may instead head directly from Lossiemouth to Helmsdale, where there are pontoon facilities. Alternatively, the passage may be extended as far as Wick where there is a sizeable marina and plenty of shelter to be had inside the old harbour. This is the final stopping point before rounding Duncansby Head, where the choice is then whether to head west along Scotland’s northern coastline, northwards to Orkney and Shetland or north-east to Scandinavia. The four main marina operators between Inverness and Shetland have grouped together to create the Viking Trail to encourage greater use of the new facilities and open up cruising routes to the Northern Isles.

 Sunset at Stonehaven © Phil Stapleton

 North Berwick Fishing Boats © visitberwickshirecoast.co.uk

 Puffins, Isle of May © Charlie Johnstone

sail scotland 2020

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