Oban May/June 2018

Matty75 · 26 April 2018, 08:39

Hi guys.

I'm planning a trip to Oban in the next few weeks and am bringing my newly acquired toy

For those of you who are veterans of these waters, I'm looking for any information with regards to places to go/visit that are relatively handy from Oban.
If anybody has any passage plans, routes, distances, waypoint info, places to berth for a quick cuppa and a bite to eat etc. that'd be great

I've seen some of the footage you guys have posted.....and I wanna go there

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

Matt.

Badgerpig · 26 April 2018, 09:47

Hi

Look up The Gurnards posts on some of the annual SIB/RIB trip threads he's put some route maps on, cracking videos too

Bern Hanreck · 26 April 2018, 10:21

Matt , can you get to the ERR , first weekend of May ? Otherwise rather than trying to plan everything yourself , try and hook up with any locals doing some cruising in your time frame . Given a good weather window ( and cruising in company ) I would definitely have Staffa and Iona on my list . There are many other destinations that are even closer..........

Last Tango · 26 April 2018, 10:24

Another must if weather permits is Muck...

Last Tango · 26 April 2018, 10:54

If you're thinking of doing the "Round Mull" (around 100mls) I'd suggest you go clockwise.

That'll put you in the more sheltered waters on the return leg if the weather deteriorates. You really don't want to be south of the Ross of Mull if it's "blowing up a bit".

breezeblock · 26 April 2018, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matty75

Hi guys.

I'm planning a trip to Oban in the next few weeks and am bringing my newly acquired toy

For those of you who are veterans of these waters, I'm looking for any information with regards to places to go/visit that are relatively handy from Oban.
If anybody has any passage plans, routes, distances, waypoint info, places to berth for a quick cuppa and a bite to eat etc. that'd be great

I've seen some of the footage you guys have posted.....and I wanna go there

Any help would be much appreciated.

Cheers.

Matt.

were up the may weekend and for a week either June July head for Tobermory good stopping off point and fionaphort is nice as well

Last Tango · 26 April 2018, 12:23

Another good lunch stop-off....

Head up to Glencoe. There's a little friendly boat club just at the start of the village proper (not at the hotel) who have a pontoon they'll let you use for a small donation. Short walk from there to the Craft Shop restaurant and into the village.

breezeblock · 26 April 2018, 13:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last Tango

Another good lunch stop-off....

Head up to Glencoe. There's a little friendly boat club just at the start of the village proper (not at the hotel) who have a pontoon they'll let you use for a small donation. Short walk from there to the Craft Shop restaurant and into the village.

the oyster bar at Easdale as well we spent a fair bit of time in there last holiday

Dan Gurney · 27 April 2018, 06:48

Trip down Loch Sunart to the Salen pontoons. You can walk up to the hotel for lunch, or I think there's a cafe at the pontoons now.

Tony Hill · 27 April 2018, 07:36

If you have the time drop in to Easdale for a chat. We operate RIBs in the area and are happy to offer advice depending on weather and the type of cruising you wish to do. Reviewing the ERR threads/reports on this site and on Easdale RIB Rendezvous - Home will give you a flavour of the possibilities

Tony

Last Tango · 27 April 2018, 08:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Gurney

Trip down Loch Sunart to the Salen pontoons. You can walk up to the hotel for lunch, or I think there's a cafe at the pontoons now.

Good excuse to venture into Loch Teacuis. A bit of rock-dodging at the entrance but stunning place.

Brian · 27 April 2018, 09:11

Depends how experienced you are.
If you are, I would recommend going over to Mull, passing Duart Castle, go up to Tobermory and maybe explore some of Loch Sunart.
If you are not very, I would suggest a trip round Kerrera, passing Gylen Castle and back up the straits being VERY careful of the buoyage.

chfyffe · 27 April 2018, 14:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Gurney

Trip down Loch Sunart to the Salen pontoons. You can walk up to the hotel for lunch, or I think there's a cafe at the pontoons now.

Can confirm excellent wee cafe at Marina. Fab coffee and homebakes, enjoyed over our Easter Break 2018 😁

chfyffe · 27 April 2018, 14:47

Can confirm excellent wee cafe with proper coffee and homebakes. 😁

chfyffe · 27 April 2018, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan Gurney

Trip down Loch Sunart to the Salen pontoons. You can walk up to the hotel for lunch, or I think there's a cafe at the pontoons now.

Can confirm excellent wee cafe with coffee and homebakes. 😁

Pikey Dave · 27 April 2018, 19:47

You could stick a pin in the chart for that area & not fail. I wouldn't know where to start. The cafe at Tayvallich, Crinan for fish & chips, loch Melfort for beach foraging, Easdale for the pub(s), Tobermory, Strontian. The only place I would avoid is Fort William, no facilities for visiting boats, pretty un welcoming place.

John Kennett · 28 April 2018, 05:25

Corryvrecken, Grey Dogs, Falls of Lora are all fun. Loch Etive is good for a sheltered scenic run. Gigha is s great destination for a longer trip. Or any of the various islands with distilleries of course

Gazzago · 28 April 2018, 12:37

Please do a mini write up. I’m hoping to spend some time up there with my boat and any info would be gratefully received.

beerbelly · 28 April 2018, 19:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Corryvrecken, Grey Dogs, Falls of Lora are all fun. Loch Etive is good for a sheltered scenic run. Gigha is s great destination for a longer trip. Or any of the various islands with distilleries of course

hoping to have lunch at the boathouse on gigha week after next

Matty75 · 02 May 2018, 18:31

Hi guys.
Thanks for all your comments.
I've been through the forum and have found some great bits of info, especially from The Gurnards posts

great stuff.

Unfortunately I can't make it to the ERR this year, so its going to be a solo trip for me when I get up there at the end of May.

Staffa, Muck and round the Mull would be great, however I think that this year I'll stay relatively "local" to Oban.
Thanks for the advice with regards to going clockwise

Easdale is on the cards and thanks for the invite Tony and would love to drop in for a chat.
I was in and around Easdale last May doing a spot of diving. Great place, especially the Oyster Bar where I got a lovely hot soup and coffee.
With regards to tying up a RIB there, where can I do this so that I can get a bite to eat in the Oyster? Who would I have to arrange this with?

Tobermory is also on the cards as is Loch Sunart & Salen - I'm looking forward to the cafe and the homebakes

Glencoe is on the cards if I get a chance.

With regards to the Falls of Laura, what is the best way/method of transiting this area to get into Loch Etive, i.e. what stage of tide etc.?

Again, thanks for all the info and advice.
Presently I have a number of passage plans prepared, Oban - Easdale - Ardoran - Glencoe - Tobermory - Loch Sunart - Loch Spelve - Loch Etive - Loch Creran and hopefully some more

If anybody has any further ideas or suggestions please fire away.
I'll try to do a write up of my experiences during and after the trip.

Cheers.

Matt.