45 registations to date ! For all those who have registered you should have received some more details today by email - please check your spam folder if it is not in your inbox.
For information - here is the communication :
Hello and thank you for registering for the 2016 Easdale Island Rib Rendezvous !
Please find below some details for this year’s event – we look forward to welcoming quite a few newcomers this year.
Tides are Neaps.
Times are Oban and BST.
Fri 29th April - HW 1039 – 3.0m, LW 1721 – 1.7m
Sat 30th Apr - HW 1151 – 2.8m, LW 1840 – 1.7m
Sun 1st May LW 0737 – 1.7m, HW 1347 – 2.8m, LW 2000 – 1.6m
PLEASE NOTE CHANGES TO COASTGUARD AREAS. Clyde has now closed. All VHF traffic from the northernmost point of Jura (including the Corryvreckan) heading north is now STORNOWAY Coastguard. All VHF traffic from the north tip of Jura southwards is BELFAST Coastguard.
Friday 29th April 2016
For those arriving ‘early’ take a short shakedown cruise to some of the local islands. Meet at Easdale - Postcode PA34 4TB. This postcode takes you to the mainland harbour. RIBs to around 6.5m. Please organise your boat ready to launch before accessing the beach. Once launched do not tie to the ferry slip, use the beach, the pier end wall or better still, head to the harbour at Easdale Island 200m away. A member of the ERR team should be on hand to assist and guide you. Parking is available and you will be directed to the car park allocated.
The Oyster Bar (Telephone 01852 300121). Meals available (1800 – 2100). Please phone to make a reservation.
The Puffer Bar (Telephone 01852 300022) on Easdale Island. Meals available from 1800. Please phone to make a reservation. The Puffer Bar & Restaurant is available for dinner bookings both the Friday & Saturday night. Their menu features the finest local shellfish & seafood as well as great home cooked dishes prepared with a variety of local produce from Argyll and home-made desserts. To book please phone 01852 300022 or email
the.puffer@btconnect.com
Booking is advised at both. Please consider bestowing your presence in one establishment on one night and the other establishment the other night as both The Oyster and The Puffer are worth a visit !
Saturday 30th April 2016
Day Cruise to/around Oronsay/Colonsay - Early morning launching for those not able to arrive Friday:
0612 1.7m
1151 2.8m
1840 1.7m
0056 3.0m
You can launch from Cuan around 1 hour either side of HW, however please be organised as the tides aren't great. So, get your boat and yourselves ready before taking your vehicle onto the slip.
For those wishing to cruise in company and in the interests of safety we are suggesting RIBs should be grouped (min 3 RIBs) prior to departure.
CHANGE TO VHF SAFETY PROCEDURE – The Seafari Office no longer listens in on Channel 77 or 16. We suggest the following – the Seafari cabin RIB will be listening in to both Channel 16 and 77. Participants wishing to check in/out should do so with Stornoway Coastguard who have been informed of the change. If you need assistance just shout on Channel 77 and hopefully someone on ERR will hear you. You can always telephone Seafari Ticket Office 01852 300003 and they will contact our boats.
Subject to weather, the intention is to head south west from Easdale down sound of Luing, through the Corryvreckan and across to Oronsay. Some may stop in Scalasaig Colonsay for a coffee. Certainly some will complete a circumnavigation of Oronsay and Colonsay, others may swap this for the attractions of the Hotels, coffee shops and whisky distilleries of the Sound of Islay. Always keen to set a challenge, this year it’s another navigational around the southern tip of Oronsay to the bay overlooked by the Priory. Get the chart out – Mind those rocks..
Oronsay should have been part of the original ERR. The island is an RSPB reserve so take care not to disturb the wildlife. The beaches are stunning, you could be in the Caribbean except the water is colder. There is the Priory and all its stone carvings. Need a treat to take home – buy a jar of Colonsay honey.
For further information on Colonsay and Oronsay check out
Welcome to the Isle of Colonsay website
Oronsay features under things to do but to avoid the confusion we outsiders refer to Oronsay. The locals prefer Oransay. Either does. This site is full of information.
Choices for ‘supplies and sustenance’ Scalasaig and The Colonsay Hotel, The Pantry café and fuel –or continue south keeping Jura to your left, halfway down the Sound of Islay Port Askaig is on your right. Again food, shop, fuel. A circumnavigation is around 60 miles so plenty of fuel and a spare can.
Evening :
The Oyster Bar (Telephone 01852 300121). Meals available (1800 – 2100). Please phone to make a reservation.
The Puffer Bar (Telephone 01852 300022) on Easdale Island. Meals available from 1800. Please phone to make a reservation. There will also be a BBQ (18:00hrs – 20:00hrs) just outside the bar offering Wild Venison Burgers at £6 each.
Booking is advised at both. Please consider bestowing your presence in one establishment on one night and the other establishment the other night as both The Oyster and The Puffer are worth a visit !
Sunday 1st May 2016
A more relaxed day. A short crossing to Loch Buie on Mull with a landing here possible then on to Carsaig, the old herring port.
For the geologist in you visit Carsaig Arches. An approach by boat eliminates a 3 mile difficult walk. For the romantic in you Loch Buie and Carsaig were the setting for the classic 1950’s Michael Powell film “I know where I’m going”. On a windy night settle in front of the fire with a bottle of red wine and the DVD.
In the meantime if you have any queries or concerns please contact Carolyn on 01852 300003.
Red Mist
Breawatch
