Around the Scottish Coast  

Caution

As the information on this page is contributed by many people, it is not possible to vouch for its accuracy. Information can also be 'out of date' at the time that the information is read. The information must not be used for navigational purposes. The safety of a vessel depends ultimately on the judgement of the skipper, who should assess all information, published or unpublished. We cannot be held responsible in any way for consequences that may be incurred as a result of using information from this site.

EAST & NORTH COASTS

Please note that the sequence of ports now follows that used in the Almanac.

The Forth and Clyde Canal, linking the Firth of Forth with the Clyde was opened in 2001 by British Waterways, after a closure of about 50 years. Maximum dimensions for craft using the canal are:- Length 20.88m (68ft 6in), Beam 6.00m (19ft8in), Water Draught 1.83m (6ft), Air Draught 3.0m (9ft 10in). The canal is 56 km long (31 nautical miles) from the River Carron Sea Lock, on the Firth of Forth near Grangemouth, to Bowling on the Clyde near Dumbarton. There are 39 locks, and BW estimate a cruising time of at least 21 hours will be needed, since most of the locks will be operated by the boat crew.
British Waterways are gearing up to offer mast stepping/unstepping at both ends, plus mast transport in between.
There is a related restoration, of the Union canal, linking the Forth & Clyde Canal near Falkirk to a point about a mile south of Edinburgh (no sea connection). This has the well publicised Millenium Lift at its western end. It is being restored to its original dimensions, and so only has a depth of 1.07m (3ft 6in), and thus will be of limited interest to CA members. The depth of the Forth & Clyde was originally 2.59m (8ft 6in) and British Waterways do not rule out further deepening in the future if the sea to sea traffic justifies it.
The Scottish Branch of British Waterways has further information about the project on its web site www.scottishcanals.co.uk
Roger Edgar, 17/1/01; update 3/12/01

A small piece on the Forth and Clyde Canal. This is now open but there are several places where the depth is not as advertised. I suspect that this will be rectified as the information on exactly where the humps are located. BW did keep their promise to have it open sea to sea on the date, but it was a bit of a pioneering expedition with numerous problems. Weed choked cooling inlets, running aground on a lorry cab and fouled props amongst the more common problems. I will collate the tales and put it on FYCA website when we get all the stories in Regards Graham Crawford FYCA Hon Sec

Bowling Basin – British Waterways are refurbishing the basin with new showers, toilets and pontoons. There will be some shore storage for laid-ip vessels and a slipway. We understand that the previously hazardous wrecks near the entrance have been cleared. Ed. 1/06/06

Eyemouth  CA Al. p. 117 - Berthing: Alongside new pontoons on SE wall of inner hbr. £15 per night up to 10m. If alongside quays as suggested in Almanac £10 per night. Facilites: Excellent showers above fishmarket in Gunsgreen Basin. Very helpful harbourmaster. J.Calver ,15/5/04 Yacht: Mardi Gras

Dunbar Harbour:  Entrance Depth (CA Almanac p.126) - Correspondence with HM (Bob Clunas) in preparation for Victory Rally reveals that the depths in the harbour entrance are now 0.5 metres MLWS not 1 metre as in Almanac. Depths otherwise as charted. 2005 fees are £8 per night any length with no surcharge for multihulls. Iain Kidson 28/12/04

There are three new water and electricity points. Apply HM.
Showers, £1, available at the Dunbar Yacht Club, key from Volunteer Arms. Swimming pool in the town. Railway station 1mile, 25 min to
Edinburgh. John Calver, HLR,31/3/05

Granton - new pontoon on East Side of middle pier. There are no pontoons on the West Side.

The marina is owned and operated by Edinburgh Marina Ltd. which in turn is jointly owned by the Royal Forth Yacht Club and the Forth Corinthian Yacht Club. 2. Granton Harbour is owned by Forth Ports plc. C Mel Farquharson HLR for the south side of the Forth including Granton!! 16/12/00; Update from Mel 3/12/01

Tayport - owned by members but visitors welcome to use vacant alongside berths. Hoses for water. Public toilets available during day. Local shops and bank. Two new pontoons accommodate 28 members yachts. Depth at entrance about 4m at HW. Dredging abandoned and yachts settle comfortably into soft mud (reported 16ft thick!) at LW. Babaji, 1/8/98

CA Al. page: 121 Dredging has taken place. Visitors berth alongside SW wall or on pontoon berth if one is available. These are private berths so consult locals. J.Calver, 25/6/04 Yacht: Mardi Gras

N.B. The ports covered by Aberdeenshire and Morayshire Councils are noted in a softback Directory that gives some historical background as well notes of tides, harbour depths, facilities, HM name and contact numbers.  It specifically covers:

Stonehaven

Rosehearty

Portsoy

Portknockie

Macduff

Johnshaven

Hopeman

Gourdon

Findochty

Cullen

Burghead

Buckie

Banff

It is available in the planning section of the Library.

Stonehaven – mooring fee includes shower. Visitors have to share outer harbour with trawlers but are allowed into inner harbour in rough weather. Key for shower in disabled toilet from HM. Three restaurants overlook harbour, Tolbooth (up outside staircase, expensive), Ship Inn (very good) and Marine Hotel (good report). Good shops, etc. Babaji, 30/7/98

Fraserburgh - A busy working port; no facilities for yachts. Three charity shops for stocking up paperbacks. Poor chips. Babaji, 29/7/98

Peterhead - marina increased by one pontoon since last year. Excellent showers, etc. Security fence with key. Mooring fee (£11 for 9m in 1998) includes showers and electricity. Weather forecast displayed. Supermarket nearby. Babaji, 29/7/98

Whitehills - good depth. Starboard hand beacons at entrance are red (with rust). Pontoon with fingers in inner harbour for resident boats. Babaji, 29/7/98

Findhorn – New pontoons are now attached to north jetty by walkway are now claimed to make this harbour fully accessible. Care still needs to be taken of the bar. Ed: 12/3/06

Findochty - warning! in need of dredging, sand bar across entrance 1m. Attractive town. Only one shop, papers arrive 1030. Babaji, 29/7/98

Wick - New WCs and showers in building beside ice factory. Access code for WCs and key for showers (£1) from HM in office labelled Danish Embassy and large clock in wall.. Diesel £1/gallon delivered. Water hose by ice factory. 

Inverness -  Operated by Harbour Trustees.  Pilotage available for vessels of any size to the Harbour or the the Caledonian Canal sealock. Illustrated booklet available from HM with aerial map.  Marina adjacent to the Longman Quay with some vacant berths for visitors.  Harbour visible to port after the road bridge at the Head of the Firth.  Channel is well buoyed.

River Channel is 3m plus tide but vessels > 11m cannot berth in yacht haven but alongside main quay, giving prior notice to HM.

Services (and shops, restaurant, PO, supermarket)  all available at Muirtown Basin.  Diesel from Caley Marina tel: 01463 233437 e: and web: www.caleymarina.com and Muirtown Basin.

Sealock, Caledonian Canal – pass the buoyed entry to harbour, proceed on North side of Firth until sealock seen on port.  Good anchoring 2 cables NW of Canal,Sealock in 8m while waiting for opening.  Showers available at locks in canal.

Orkney Islands

Please note that the sequence of ports now follows that used in the Almanac.

Orkney Islands' Council, Department of Harbours, have established mooring buoys specifically to encourage visiting yachts. If these are seen to be used others may follow. These are at:
Longhope 58° 48.04'N 03° 11.99'W
Burray 58° 50.55'N 02° 54.66'W
Holm 58° 53.56'N 02° 54.72'W
Balfour - Shapinsay 59° 01.91'N 02° 54.35'W
South Wick - Papa Westray 59° 20.98'N 02° 52.76'W 21/6/01

New marinas were opened in Stromness and Pierowall (Westray Marina) in July 2004. 

Work continues on another at Kirkwall but the pontoons were already available in 2004 for the summer.   Westray will remain open only for summer months. All are managed by Orkney Marinas Ltd.: www.orkneymarinas.co.uk  This useful information site is attractive and also available as a text only facility with essential contact/berthing detail.. Ed. 16/02/05

The Orkney Marina web site has been substantially upgraded recently (www.orkneymarinas.co.uk) It not only has much useful information, but allows booking of berths and gives directions. Ed. 30.01.06

Stromness - most yachts use quay opposite tourist information office and Stromness Hotel. Water on this quay. Water and diesel (£1/gallon) on quay off ice factory. Showers in hotel £2 (if a room free), at swimming pool (£1.30 including swim), and in new ferry terminal building under construction. No GSM signal except on hill above town. Hr Mr allowed me to use his fax socket. Babaji, 20/7/98 updated:13/3/05

 Pierowall - HM Tom Rendall very helpful, and finds boat to berth alongside. W.Cs, Water and diesel on ferry pier. Shop that sells everything 1M, and hotel renowned for sea food a little further. No GSM signal. Babaji, 22/7/98

Kirkwall - new (2 yrs) pontoon along eastern half of south end of small boat harbour available for yachts when not required for jolly boats from cruise liners anchored in bay. Planning permission obtained, and grants being sought, for breakwater in part of harbour west of pier and 50 berth marina; expected ready in about 2 years. BVery helpful Hr Mr, Stewart Walker. Water from hose. Electricity, metered £ in slot. Showers at SC opposite £1 but key (in short supply since no deposit charged!) needed during day; bar opens 2030 with happy hour. Showers also in town in lane opposite cathedral, 50p. Calor gas depot. Diesel from fuel depot opposite. Excellent shops. Babaji, 25/7/98

Fair Isle - North Harbour - new quay. Diesel in cans (£1/gall) and lobsters from Jimmy. Showers £2 including soap and towels at Fair Isle Lodge and bird observatory just up the hill. No GSM signal. Shop (S. end Island) open daily except Thurs and Sun 0930-1230 and Mon, Wed, Fri 1430-1630. Five day forecast from Dave Wheeler at Met Station Babaji, 18/7/98

Shetland – A free cruising Guide is available that complements the CCC Sailing Directions
Ed. 30/05/06

WEST COAST

Please note that the sequence of ports now follows that used in the Almanac.

Mallaig -  Swinging moorings are available at Mallaig Boatbuilding and Engineering Co. Ltd. At the harbour slipways.  Tel.: 01687 462304.  Ed., 05/08/05

Kinlochbervie - very well sheltered loch made into fishing hr. The pontoon "for yachts" is used by small local boats, yachts have to berth alongside trawlers, no problem at week ends. Good shop open 8-8, Sunday 1230-1430. Showers at Fishermen's Mission (when open) £2. In suitable weather yachts would do better to anchor in Loch Clash*, landing on pier and use above facilities. This anchorage is little used. No GSM signal. Babaji, 18/7/98

The comment made by the skipper of 'Babaji' (18/07/98) concerning 'Loch Alsh' as a better anchorage for yachts than Loch Bervie (the harbour) is correct, but the name is Loch Clash, not Loch Alsh* (which lies many miles to the south!) Charles Watson, Amphitrite, 01/11/01

Loch Nedd - well sheltered loch. Anchor in 5/6m opposite south of island and go ashore to tiny boathouse on west side, path up to road. Turn right. Telephone. Store. PO and reasonable restaurant at Drumbeg, 1.5mi. Delightful walk, orchids among heather. No GSM signal. Babaji, 17/7/98

Lochinver - Sheltered mooring on pontoon £9.40 (9m) one night, £18.80 2-7 nights. Hr. Mr Mr Gudgeon provides 5-day forecast. Diesel (14.64p/l), water and free ice on quay below ice machine, Showers in Deep Sea Mission. Supermarket, paper shop, PO. No GSM signal. Babaji, 16/7/98

Portree (Skye) - free HIDB buoys. Pretty town, good choice of restaurants, ship chandlery, many shops. Good view from "The Lump". No GSM signal.

Kyle Akin  CA Al. p. 144  - not a good stopping place for stores. Berth alongside pontoons - limited space. Limited facilities, water is in short supply, however there is an half-hourly bus service, cost 15p to Kyle where there are good shops and good showers near the tourist office. The bus trip is worth it for the views from the Skye bridge. This is a much quieter berth, in most conditions, than the pontoon at Kyle, but we did find the latter useful for taking on water. J.Calver, 6/6/04 Yacht: MardiGras

Armadale (SE Skye) - lovely anchorage with free HIDB buoys. Clan Donald gardens and centre above. restaurant by ferry pier. Peaty water from hose on pier very popular with Scots. No GSM signal. Babaji, 14/7/98

Tobermory (Mull)  - there is good anchoring at reasonable depths (although only for a few boats) in the south east corner of Tobermory Bay, between the fish farm,the jetty, and the waterfall. The town is within easy walking distance through a scenic public park. Donald MacDonald, Yacht: Shard, 23/08/04

Craighouse (Sound of Jura) - this port is recommended by locals in preference to Port Ellen on Islay as overnight port. Good shelter. Store. Bar and showers at hotel. Eight 15 tonne visitors buoys with high occupancy overnight, but plenty of room to anchor (beware kelp). Babaji, 10/7/98

Ballachulish  Enter Loch Leven from Ballachulish Bay passing under Ballachulish Road Bridge - Air Draught 17 metres at MHWS. Pontoon adjacent to Isles of Glencoe Hotel opposite small islands. Water available in 2002. Free use of swimming pool, sauna etc. Mooring fee £10 per night which is refunded if hotel restaurant facilities are used. Advance booking advised - telephone 01855 821391 or 07831 846025 CA Handbook 8th ed. p148 and CCC Sailing Directions: Kintyre to Ardnamurchan
Alec Blanc 14/03/02

Holy Loch Marina - licences have been issued permitting dredging in preparation for the second phase of the marina. This will make a further 50 berths available for 2002, the 50 berths available now were not enough. The marina when completed will have 400 berths. News item 5/12/01
 

42 extra berths are now available at the developing Clyde Marina including space for yachts up to 50ft.  Ed., 05/08/05