West Coast Trip

[chrishowden]

Hi,

Planning a trip leaving from Kyleakin (Skye) staying for a couple of nights on Raasay and plan to travel to Harris and Lewis. Is there anywhere where we can tie the boats on the South West of the island. We are staying in the Raasay House Hotel. There are 4 RIBs in total, the biggest is a 7m and smallest is a 5m. Any recommendations on places to visit would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Chris

[Last Tango]

Hi Chris

I've done a bit around the area and I'm actually in Kyleakin just now.
To your first question, there is, from memory a pier near the hotel but I didn't use it and there must have been a reason...can't remember. I think there was visitor moorings if you've got a means of getting ashore.
Have you spoken with the Harbour Master about berthing at Kyleakin? It's used mostly by commercial tour and fishing boats, and they try to push leisure boats over to Kyle of Lochalsh. I talked my way in with a rib but I know he's chasing sailing boats out. (Wafies).
Lewis and Harris is quite adventurous for a 5mtr boat but if you know what your undertaking I'll not lecture you . Also not much there by way of facilities, even Tarbert in Harris had nowhere you could go alongside with a rib that just really leaves Stornoway.
However not withstanding these issues there are countless cracking places to go. I've just had a couple of brilliant days out with a trip down the Kyles to Mallaig then over to Eigg and yesterday, Rum and Scavaig. (The dolphins are apparently near Canna just now.)
Plockton is only 7mls from Kyleakin and has short term pontoon facilities.. £5 for two hours. Heading north Fladdy is a beautiful natural harbour ideal for a picnic stop, Acarseid Mhor on Rona has a small floating pontoon for going ashore, Good slip at Staffin but can have a bit of a swell running if you're tied alongside.
If caves are your thing there's one on the north side of Trodday, one on the south shore of the approach to Portree and one at the Shaints. I've had the boat into all of them so it's do-able.
If you're visiting Portree (and it's well worth it) make sure there isn't a cruise ship in at the time because they close the pontoon facilities to the public for the duration.......a real bummer. Lochgair (Flowerdale) is also worth a visit if your going that far north.
For scenery, from McLeod's Maidens north passed Niest point is stunning. (Slip at Pooltiel tidal.) and the north west shore of Loch Bracadale has some stunning features. (caves, waterfalls, arches.).

You'll love the place......

[chrishowden]

Originally Posted by Last Tango

Hi Chris

I've done a bit around the area and I'm actually in Kyleakin just now.
To your first question, there is, from memory a pier near the hotel but I didn't use it and there must have been a reason...can't remember. I think there was visitor moorings if you've got a means of getting ashore.
Have you spoken with the Harbour Master about berthing at Kyleakin? It's used mostly by commercial tour and fishing boats, and they try to push leisure boats over to Kyle of Lochalsh. I talked my way in with a rib but I know he's chasing sailing boats out. (Wafies).
Lewis and Harris is quite adventurous for a 5mtr boat but if you know what your undertaking I'll not lecture you . Also not much there by way of facilities, even Tarbert in Harris had nowhere you could go alongside with a rib that just really leaves Stornoway.
However not withstanding these issues there are countless cracking places to go. I've just had a couple of brilliant days out with a trip down the Kyles to Mallaig then over to Eigg and yesterday, Rum and Scavaig. (The dolphins are apparently near Canna just now.)
Plockton is only 7mls from Kyleakin and has short term pontoon facilities.. £5 for two hours. Heading north Fladdy is a beautiful natural harbour ideal for a picnic stop, Acarseid Mhor on Rona has a small floating pontoon for going ashore, Good slip at Staffin but can have a bit of a swell running if you're tied alongside.
If caves are your thing there's one on the north side of Trodday, one on the south shore of the approach to Portree and one at the Shaints. I've had the boat into all of them so it's do-able.
If you're visiting Portree (and it's well worth it) make sure there isn't a cruise ship in at the time because they close the pontoon facilities to the public for the duration.......a real bummer. Lochgair (Flowerdale) is also worth a visit if your going that far north.
For scenery, from McLeod's Maidens north passed Niest point is stunning. (Slip at Pooltiel tidal.) and the north west shore of Loch Bracadale has some stunning features. (caves, waterfalls, arches.).

You'll love the place......

That sounds fantastic! Thanks for all the info! Hope to visit quite a few places in the short time we have there! Is there any where where we can get fuel for the boats rather than having to carry loads of it?

Chris

[ashtonmarine]

Hi

if it is of any help I just sold a coastline to Lewis and I can give you his contact details. PM me if interested.

Dave

[Last Tango]

Originally Posted by chrishowden

That sounds fantastic! Thanks for all the info! Hope to visit quite a few places in the short time we have there! Is there any where where we can get fuel for the boats rather than having to carry loads of it?

Chris

Fuelling is an issue, you'll have to think jerry cans as there's nowhere you can get waterside petrol. (maybe someone will surprise me but I doubt it.)
there are a few places where the petrol station is within "lugging distance"

Kyle of Lochalsh not to bad, Gairloch (From north end of the sand beach at Flowerdale....can be seen from the water), Portree (A fair hike from the harbour.....better if you come through Loch Portree (high tide only) and walk up through the car park. Mallaig, petrol station near harbour. Uig, near ferry terminal, Broadford....next to Co-op, rough beach next to it.

PS there's a slip onto the beach at Harlosh....DON'T take your car onto the beach...we've had a Land Rover stuck on it Looks hard but it's like driving on marbles.

[breezeblock]

wheres harlosh

[Last Tango]

Near Bracadale,

Forgot to mention....cracking slip at Stein almost full tide and the old ferry slip at Kyleakin is full tide. (lots of signs about using it that no one pays any head to.

If you have a chat with the local tour boat operators and the local fishermen their knowledge of the area is fantastic and they're really helpful.

[Pikey Dave]

Lochmaddy on N Uist has good visiting boat facilities. New pontoons, showers, toilets. You will need jerry cans for petrol which is at the Spar shop in the village about 1/2 a mile walk. I'd recommend a folding set of wheels/sack barrow type thing (Wolf tools make a cracker&#128077 The Lochmaddy hotel does a good breakfast as long as you're not in a hurry🙄. The sound of Harris is a short hop from Lochmaddy. They charged us £15 to overnight 2 RIBs, very reasonable.


Don't panic! don't panic!

[jwalker]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

.... You will need jerry cans for petrol which is at the Spar shop in the village about 1/2 a mile walk. I'd recommend a folding set of wheels/sack barrow type thing....

Ah, well...you need to go around to the other harbour and you can come directly across the water to below the petrol pump. The shore is pebbly and lots of seaweed so beaching the boat is fine. You just need to clamber up and down the bank with your cans. The shop will trust you if you ask and total the cans each time you fill them then you can pay in one go.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jwalker

Ah, well...you need to go around to the other harbour and you can come directly across the water to below the petrol pump. The shore is pebbly and lots of seaweed so beaching the boat is fine. You just need to clamber up and down the bank with your cans. The shop will trust you if you ask and total the cans each time you fill them then you can pay in one go.

Yup, we looked at that option but we hit it at LW & it looked like hard work. Not being familiar with the area we took the wussy option😄


Lions led by donkeys

[neil.mccrirrick]

Brilliant info there pal thank you. A few of us are up launching from arisaig in August that's really helpful 😄👍

[chrishowden]

Originally Posted by Last Tango

Fuelling is an issue, you'll have to think jerry cans as there's nowhere you can get waterside petrol. (maybe someone will surprise me but I doubt it.)
there are a few places where the petrol station is within "lugging distance"

Kyle of Lochalsh not to bad, Gairloch (From north end of the sand beach at Flowerdale....can be seen from the water), Portree (A fair hike from the harbour.....better if you come through Loch Portree (high tide only) and walk up through the car park. Mallaig, petrol station near harbour. Uig, near ferry terminal, Broadford....next to Co-op, rough beach next to it.

PS there's a slip onto the beach at Harlosh....DON'T take your car onto the beach...we've had a Land Rover stuck on it Looks hard but it's like driving on marbles.

That's great thanks for all the info really helpful!

So really there are no marinas that supply fuel? Looks like it's gonna be Jerry cans to the nearest petrol station!

[Last Tango]

Cracking run out yesterday to Canna, 87nm round trip from Kyleakin. Definitely my favourite of the Small Isles. Scenery stunning.

PS I'm assuming it's petrol and not diesel you're looking for as there are a few of the fishing harbours that have red diesel.

[chrishowden]

Originally Posted by Last Tango

Cracking run out yesterday to Canna, 87nm round trip from Kyleakin. Definitely my favourite of the Small Isles. Scenery stunning.



PS I'm assuming it's petrol and not diesel you're looking for as there are a few of the fishing harbours that have red diesel.

Yes petrol. I found a place at Uig that isn't too far a walk so looks like we will fill up there.

Will add that to the list on places to visit.

Thanks

[Xk59D]

Hotest day in ages, 87 nm and amazing scenery.... NOT in slightest jealous.

I picked the wrong week off eh!

[Last Tango]

Originally Posted by chrishowden

Yes petrol. I found a place at Uig that isn't too far a walk so looks like we will fill up there.

Will add that to the list on places to visit.

Thanks

Another place for petrol.....Lochcarron TWO petrol stations. One of them immediately across the road from the slip/jetty (tidal) the other 24/7 a couple of hundred yards away.

[Last Tango]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

Hotest day in ages, 87 nm and amazing scenery.... NOT in slightest jealous.

I picked the wrong week off eh!

Certainly never missed anything at the weekend....brutal!

[Last Tango]

A few of photos....

[Maximus]

Nice Pics!....and thanks for the info...every little helps!
Up that way in a few weeks...I hear they've very recently spotted Orcas off Rum... So keep your eyes peeled

[willk]

Originally Posted by Xk59D

Hotest day in ages, 87 nm and amazing scenery.... NOT in slightest jealous.

I picked the wrong week off eh!

You did.

We slipped out of Lough Swilly (Donegal) on Tuesday and nipped over to Port Askaig (Islay) for the night. A quick trip up the west coast of Jura in the morning, through the Corryvreckan, and back down to the Isle of Gigha last night. Today was a run over to Rathlin for lunch, tea in Cushendal and dinner in Donegal.

Such days, such days....