Scotland from 1st April

[Paul Beaurain]

Hi
My son and I have 10 days from 1st April and will be trying to visit new cruising grounds (for us). We have no fixed plan - just many variations, all dependent on weather. The last two years we have had rain/high winds and poor vis. We never saw the Culliin Hills just low cloud at 500'!

We are starting from Northern Ireland and will aim to get up to Oban in one hit. If we see a weather window we might make a run up to Kinlochbervie and then on round to the Orkneys. or go the other way through the Caladonia canal.
Or simply stay on the West Coast or .. or or...
so many nice places

So lets have some RibNet conacts from these parts
It would be great to meet up and put faces to names, or even have you join us for a leg.
Either post or PM - whichever you prefer.

I will use this thread to update you haw we get on and to gain local knowledge where needed.

cheers Paul

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Paul Beaurain

Hi
My son and I have 10 days from 1st April ...

Paul that's early. We always have snow in April. May is often much better.

Anyway, enjoy your cruise.

[Paul Beaurain]

Hi JW

Last year we came over around the 4th April. we had to run the cabin heater, until the sun had some heat in it, ice on the pontoon and tubes in the morning, we did have a gale also.
Lets see if we end up in B&B after a few days...
Where are you based yourself?

Caladonia Canal Question
Typically what height drop occur in the locks? does the level change by 1m 2m ?
Paul

[willk]

That sounds very... interesting! Storm Breaker was looking particularly fetching when I towed my wee beastie in for her service a couple of weeks back. You must be the Important Customer they keep bumping me for . But never mind - if you get snowed off the Isles, keep the Islands of Donegal in mind, they're MUCH warmer .

[DonMacN]

hey Paul,

Forecast doesn't look too wonderful at the moment. We've had a few days with the ferries on the west coast disrupted due to high winds - and fresh snow on the hills!

I live in Inverness and have been down the canal a few times (though not in the RIB - it's easier just to launch into Loch Ness) I can't say for sure what the drop in the locks is, but at a guess-timate I'd say it was nearer 3-4m or even more. They are big locks, not like the ones you get on small 'guage' canals down south. I'm also not sure when the canal opens fully for traffic.

I'd guess you'd get a lot of info from the british waterways website?

If you get round to the Orkneys it would be a hell of a trip!

[Paul Beaurain]

Hi Don
Thanks for the lock info. 3-4m drops. I will rig longer bow/stern lines for this.
The Caladonia website is usefull, I have downloaded the 'form' for booking a transit. I will pay on the day, as until we get there we wont know so to speak.
The website shows all OK for passage with no stoppages. just the lock keepers work slightly reduced hours at this time of year.
Re the weather - well we will just have to review it at the critical decision stages.

WillK
Redbay do seem to run a busy workshop -
We do want to do Ireland ...

Thanks also for various PM's from people
cheers Paul

[Paul Beaurain]

Hi
There was talk of a new marina on the Oban side (rather than just the current one on Island of Kerrera) has this happened? any info please.
Thanks
Paul

[jambo]

Originally Posted by Paul Beaurain

Hi
There was talk of a new marina on the Oban side (rather than just the current one on Island of Kerrera) has this happened? any info please.
Thanks
Paul

Hi paul as far I anderstand still only Dunstaffange and Kerrera, as the plans are still being discussed for the 'bay' one.
Bruce B and Alystra are the boys who live locally so they will be able to advise the plans.
Cheers for now jave a good trip unfortunately it is too early for me or I would have joined you on the Sound of Jura.
happy ribbing:smile:
J

[alystra]

Hi Paul,

I think Jambo's right. Marinas are Ardfern, Craobh, Kerrera and Dunstaffnage.

Thursday looks the best day, Friday ok and wet on Saturday. I don't like the look of the Low just to the west on Saturday, but Heather the Weather - well it was Gail the weather actually, didn't sound too bothered this lunchtime.

Just a tad too early for me too. I reckon the weather needs another couple of weeks to settle, and anyway I need to antifoul and use a bit of spit and polish.

Have a good trip.

[alystra]

Guess you somewhere on the west coast now. Looks as if you're having some beautiful days.