Tiree

[Polwart]

We have some friends who go to Tiree most summers for some surfing. They've invited us to join them on this years trip, and since we don't surf I'm considering dragging the boat. We'll take it over on the Ferry not travel from the mainland, but once we get there can anyone shed any light on:

(1) Suitable launch sites for FWD car + small boat (boatlaunch is rather Barren in this area!).
(2) If its really a sensible place for short family beach hops in a 4m boat with 20HP engine in reasonable weather? On the chart it looks like it should be ideal - but somehow that doesn't fit with it being a "surf mecca". Presumably some of the beaches are much less exposed? We are talking early July here.
(3) Fuel availability on the island, and if anyone has experience taking fuel over in standard portable fuel tank(s) in the boat on the ferry (is it technically DGs?).
(4) If the weather is excellent presumably Coll is within sensible reach - so where are the must visit spots on Tiree and Coll by small boat.

Assuming we tick all those boxes, does anyone know of a nice sensibly priced house that would sleep 4 adults and 4 kids thats free the first week in July

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by Polwart

........................4 adults and 4 kids thats free the first week in July

I doubt that you would get it for free in July, it's peak season. I'd expect you to pay

[Brian]

There is a pier and slip in Gott Bay.
Staffa (Fingals Cave) is only 15nmiles away......

though, looking at Google Earth and Streetview, I cant for the life of me figure out where the slip actually is.
Time for one of "the locals" to chip in, I think.

[Brian]

Oh, and Cnac A M'hudrain is free for the first week in July (£800 pw all in) sleeps 8.
(How do I know all this stuff? Far too much time on my hands.)
Been round the whole island noe (in Google Earth only!!) and found several interesting mini-ports with a landing stage and loads of white beaches which, with a four-wheel-drive, should get you launched.

Looks v. interesting.
Hmmm.

[Siochair]

There is a video guide on this page that might be of use

Tiree « Struthan Cottages – Tiree Accommodation

[Polwart]

Thanks for the accommodation links, my most organised friends have now booked something so we are definitely going... ...final decision on whether we take the boat once I've consider all the facts, but if we go without it and I spend the whole week thinking "if only" then I will regret it, so I think its more likely than not!

Fingals cave doesn't seem far on paper - but I suspect that in a 4m boat (20 knots top end), and in a rather exposed area its going to have to be amazing weather to consider it. Probably more likely to visit it from the mainland.

Should have clarified by FWD I meant Front Wheel Drive not 4 wheel drive. I didn't even consider street view - I had apparently wrongly assumed Google wouldn't pay the ferry fare!

[Ruari 29]

Ferry wont be cheap with a boat, rip off calmac.

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[Polwart]

Ruari, I appreciate that which is why I don't want to take it then realise that its never going to get wet. However I caught something on the news last night (I was on the phone so only half caught it) which suggested RET would be extended to Tiree No doubt it will come in the week after we are there

EDIT - apparently RET already applies to the Tiree service, and 2 adults, 2 children (1 under 5) plus small boat comes in at £221.25 on the current winter timetable prices... ... dread to imagine what it would have been without RET.

[Ruari 29]

Yeah its a bit cheaper coming to mull. We are about £150 rtn every time we take boat off island.
Good luck with your trip.

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[Callum Stewart]

We parked the RB11 in at Scarinish bay in July for a long weekend at the music festival. Lots of small boats in the harbour & the journey to Coll hotel for a great meal would be a nice wee run out if the weather is suitable