Adventure off the North Coast of Scotland

[jsrmacleod]

Tony, I'm not sure of the depth but I know it doesn't dry out, I'll find out for you, a dive buddy of mine was one of the partners of the "North Coast Explorer" RIB which got into difficulties at Stroma last year with a load of tourists onboard and subsequently sunk to the bottom, a right off unfortunately, you may remember seeing it on the news, any way I'll make some enquieries, I might take a run up there next week and check out a few more slips and harbours, there are literally loads of them.

Oh and all slippage is free up here.

[m chappelow]

Originally Posted by kerny

This is worth a quick read before camping on the island

BBC News | SCOTLAND | Britain's 'Anthrax Island'

Gruinard Island Anthrax Biological Warfare Experiment Great Britain 1942 - YouTube

[m chappelow]

[QUOTE=jsrmacleod;449777]Tony, I'm not sure of the depth but I know it doesn't dry out, I'll find out for you, a dive buddy of mine was one of the partners of the "North Coast Explorer" RIB which got into difficulties at Stroma last year with a load of tourists onboard and subsequently sunk to the bottom, a right off unfortunately, you may remember seeing it on the news,

QUOTE]

For the y boat enthusiasts and those that dident see it in the news,,looks like the rocks very slippy too,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTUukx4k7zI

[jsrmacleod]

Just spoke to my dive buddy, he said that their RIB never ever grounded out in John O'Groats harbour though some of the fishing boats with a deeper draft have when there has been unusually low tides.

[Tony Hill]

Thanks for the information, much appreciated

Tony

[BruceB]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

We had a very interesting chat with the Garvie Island Range Controller on VHF during the 1997 Round Britain jaunt. He seemed rather surprised to find a load of little little boats coming past his bombing range while he had a couple of Harriers waiting to drop live thousand-pounders!

I have dived around Garvie island (obvously when the range was not in use) and you wouldn't believe how many 1000lbers have missed or didn't go off.
The wildlife is good though as it doesn't get fished.

[Keith Hart]

Okay chaps let's get back on track here...

Yes, John a trip around Garve Island would be great for any big ribs on the expedition (bombing permitting of course!)

Okay some information:

I was thinking about sometime in September as this would give me time to fully recover, get my little SIB all spruced up ready and also it is in the breeding season for a large colony of grey seals that use the island (Eilean nan Roan is after all Gaelic for Island of the Seals) - great photo opportunities. Furthermore it gives time to get everything organised and I can leave a week free in my diary for the expedition.

I've had a 'declaration of interest' from a couple of VERY experienced ribbers from a previous mad SIB expedition...

I am in contact with a local person Iain, who lives locally in Melness and has been there about two years ago. The island belongs to Sutherland Estates and is a SSSI but access is no problem, however camping would require permission. I would assume that my Pal Ian (a different Ian than the Iain from Melness) and I would stay the night on the island (probably the first people to overnight there since 1938) and others may stay on their boats or local B&B.

Skerray Harbour would be suitable for the RIBS to moor in. The nearest diesel from a pump would be Scrabster apart from that it would be refuel by jerry can!

I have attached two photos of the jetty on the island. You will see that at the bottom the steps are quite damaged but climbable with care. You can also see that the small bay adjacent, Mol na Coinnle (Candle Lit Beach) is suitable for anchorage. To quote from the most excellent book by Hamish Haswell-Smith, The Scottish Islands - The Best Selling Guide to Every Scottish Island, (Canongate Books ISBN 9781847672773)

"Anchorage: Beware low water rock of NE extremity of island and W coast is foul. E and S sides clean to within 1/2 c. 1. Mol na Coinnle. The most southerly small bight on SE side. Shelter from W and NW winds. Anchor opposite corrugated-iron roofed hut near shore. There are steps up the cliff."

Skerray Harbour (courtesy of Boatlaunch.co.uk) :

General information:

Long: -4.304259
Lat: 58.542175

Nearest Place: Bettyhill
Country: Unknown
Region: Scotland

Slipway information:

Ramp Description: Long straight ramp into sheltered harbour.
Directions: From A836 follow signs to Torrisdale and Skerray. Harbour is at end or road and ramp is in corner of harbour.
Ramp Type: Concrete
Upper Area: Harbour
Lower Area: Harbour
Suitability: Large trailer needs a car
Ramp Length: All of tidal range
Facilities: Parking near slipway. This is a surprisingly large but almost deserted harbour in a VERY remote area. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty where you will see, golden eagles, red deer, seals, and whales. This rocky and spectacular coastline requires a great effort to visit it but it is WELL worth that effort. This is the last wilderness in the UK.
Charges: £3.50 Highland Council, but no one to take money.
Cruising Area: North Scottish Highlands coast.
Navigational Hazards: Rocks in left of harbour entrance.

This is a small remote island off a very remote coast, it is way away from all the usual RIB cruising grounds. Attached two photographs of the harbour/jetty.

It would be a real adventure...

Keith (hoping not to be hopping for too long) Hart