West Scotland Lochs

[tom_20000]

Hi guys, I've head up to Scotland for a long weekend with the rib, were stopping near Loch Leven, looking at getting out a few days if anyone has any tips? Thinking of heading over to Oban tomorrow and trying to pickup a chart from puffin to show the Hazards. Were got a launch on the campsite, so I'm wondering how far I can venture launching straight into Leven. Thanks in advance! Tom

[9D280]

Hi tom,

I assume you are at the campsite by Glencoe Village? Leven itself is quite scenic, if a little limited at 20 odd knots - you soon get to the other end!

If you head out under the bridge you are in Loch Linnhe. You don't need a chart to tell you the current through there can be quite strong, but once out into Linnhe If you head out and hang a right (using the correct nautical terminology here! you go through another set of narrows (mind the ferry!) and it's pretty much a straight line to Fort William, thence on to the top of Loch Eil.

If you "turn left" (more like straight on) then most of the "eateries" are on your Port side - The Holly Tree (has a pier) Just before Kentallen Bay, then on past the Isle of Shuna to Port Appin where the place by the Pier does good food. From there if you go into Loch Creran you can (I think) now visit the sea life sanctuary by boat as they were building a Jetty when I was there last August. FWIW I have done approximately that trip in an 11 foot dory, so unless the weather is utterly yuk should be doable in your rib.

Just be aware Loch Creran is pretty much all a nature conservancy area, so dropping anchors is an absolute no in all but a couple of small areas. - http://www.argyllmarinesac.org/pdfs/anchoring.pdf for the details. (it doesn't look very restrictive, but it will make more sense once you see the chart!

If you are feeling adventurous / have all day and carry on south down Loch Linnhe it's next stop Oban or the Connel Bridge.

If you head down the West side of Linnhe the shoreline is much more sparsely populated., if you prefer to be "out in the wilds"


So yes, plenty of cruising round there. I'm sure the locals will be along soon to add to my "tourist list".... Just be aware there is not a lot of shoreside fuel round there.

Have a good holiday.

[Xk59D]

Tom, i don't know where you are coming from but the weather is SHOCKING, if you are going out boating then fair play to ye buddy, but just a warning it is really wet this week/weekend up here :-(

Oban is forecast for 15mm of rain Sat and 11mm Sunday, with a 64% chance of snow on Sunday tossed in for good measure.

http://www.netweather.tv/index.cgi?action=10day;sess=

[Poly]

Originally Posted by tom_20000

Hi guys, I've head up to Scotland for a long weekend with the rib, were stopping near Loch Leven, looking at getting out a few days if anyone has any tips? Thinking of heading over to Oban tomorrow and trying to pickup a chart from puffin to show the Hazards. Were got a launch on the campsite, so I'm wondering how far I can venture launching straight into Leven. Thanks in advance! Tom

Puffin might not be the best place to get a chart? There's a small Chandlers in Oban. I presume Dunstaffnage Marina might have charts too.

[tom_20000]

Thanks everyone @9D280 some great detail! @Xk59D - I know I'm already here! I've brought the rib anyhow so I'll play it by ear. So long as the wind keeps down I can deal with a bit of rak ( for a short time anyhow, not sure about the missus though!!) I wanted to try and scout some good remote/wild spots for the coming months. @Poly - I'll see if I can find the chandlers tomorrow, we're here until Monday anyhow, so fingers crossed we get a window

[Poly]

Originally Posted by tom_20000

@Poly - I'll see if I can find the chandlers tomorrow, we're here until Monday anyhow, so fingers crossed we get a window

If you are coming from Glencoe, then when you get right to the centre of town (near the station) there is a funny one way system / roundabout thing. Its right on the edge of the roundabout thing.

You'll have passed Dunstaffnage marina on the way in though...

[jambo]

Nancy Blacks one of the best.


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by jambo

Nancy Blacks one of the best.


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

You beat me to it For the price of a single paper chart, you can get the Navionics app & have the whole of the UK in your hand. Admmittedly, not as nice as looking at a proper chart, but for occasional use & quick reference it's a steal.

[tom_20000]

I just bought the hds-7 gen 2 for the boat actually with the navionics maps. Seems great, just doesnt quite beat having the paper copy to look over first. (IMO anyhow)

[jambo]

Originally Posted by tom_20000

I just bought the hds-7 gen 2 for the boat actually with the navionics maps. Seems great, just doesnt quite beat having the paper copy to look over first. (IMO anyhow)

Yea good choice of set up. Agree with the paper charts I also like looking at them for route planning.


Sent from my iPhone using RIB Net

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by tom_20000

I just bought the hds-7 gen 2 for the boat actually with the navionics maps. Seems great, just doesnt quite beat having the paper copy to look over first. (IMO anyhow)

In which case I can highly recommend this http://www.yachtingsoftware.com/navi...ftware_c8.aspx

[tom_20000]

I'll have to grab that when I get back. Managed to grab some charts ydau from the marina. Just want to weather to let up a little, the winds around Glencoe are howling.

[tom_20000]

Weather was interesting just outside of Glencoe with the trailer on!

[A1an]

Originally Posted by tom_20000

Weather was interesting just outside of Glencoe with the trailer on!

You wait til it snows!

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by A1an

You wait til it snows!

Aye, that's only a bit of frost😄

[jwalker]

I guess with the weather as it is you're not going to be doing this but just for info, depending on tide and wind the trip from Corran up to Fort William can be really bumpy for a small boat but you can often find calm water on the south side running not too far from the road. A caveat though, there is a reef not too far up the loch from the Corran ferry and it's not marked but you'll find it on your charts. At high water there's no problem.

[tom_20000]

Thanks, we just drove up to Fort William and it looked bumpy. Leven has been calm for the past half hour, might drop it in and have a short potter about here. My girlfriend hasn't been out on the boat before so dont want to give her a baptism of fire! need her to approve this hobby will make the next boat purchase easier......I'm still waiting for her to ask why I'm reading a manual for the "old" plotter.....lol

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by tom_20000

Thanks, we just drove up to Fort William and it looked bumpy. Leven has been calm for the past half hour, might drop it in and have a short potter about here. My girlfriend hasn't been out on the boat before so dont want to give her a baptism of fire! need her to approve this hobby will make the next boat purchase easier......I'm still waiting for her to ask why I'm reading a manual for the "old" plotter.....lol

You're not going to sell it to her if she's freezing her t1ts off & puking over the side. Keep your powder dry for a day when you can take her for a potter for tea & cake. Softly softly catchee monkey

[Pikey Dave]

PS. if you really want to impress her, take her to the Crannog restaurant

[tom_20000]

Ahaha do you know my missus or something? Sounds just up her avenue. Weather held for all over about 10 mins, boats prepped and ready to drop in so will see what happens over next few days. Monday looks semi promising.