West Coast Scotland – Rona bothy!

smudge07 · 28 July 2013, 16:03

Hi all - got some picture for you of our trip last week from Gairloch, Rona, Plockton, Inverie then back to Gairloch round the West Coast of Skye via lock Coruisk.

The bunk house in Rona is basic but perfect and it has a little pontoon. What’s more you can see the pontoon from the bothy, which is very cool for RIB owners who love to check their wee boat, is ok!! On top of that Bill (the factor for the Island) who lives there with his partner Loraine can provide you with fresh lobster, vension (also from the Island) and langoustine and you can eat this whilst look out of the window to check your boat!!!!

It has to be the best bunkhouse with pontoon in Britain. We normally try and book the place for ourselves but if you want to just pay for a bed it is £15 a night. There is a compost loo outside and a proper loo and shower up at the lodge for during the day.

The island also rent out 3 holiday cottages over the hill from the anchorage at the next bay up the island called Dry Harbour (as the name suggests not much water at low tide :0) and a rocky bottom) it is a 25 min. hilly walk from the pontoon.

Anyone else stayed there would love to hear what you think and if you think you have a bunkhouse/bothy to match it would love to stay there!!

Also got a couple of newbie RIB questions about my boat will post those in the next thread!!

Any questions about the trip fire away – can’t tell you how good there weather was despite the forecast saying it was going to rain!!

smudge07 · 28 July 2013, 16:15

A couple more pics

bhud · 30 July 2013, 19:18

Youre giving up all our secrets!

Portnahaven · 30 July 2013, 21:49

Great photos - looks like you had a fantastic time.
Was past Rona on east side three weeks ago in the good weather on way to Stornoway, never realised ther was pontoon there. Bunkhouse looks great.

smudge07 · 01 August 2013, 21:29

Bhud!! I didn't think about giving away our secrets but at least I didn't say which Rona.......

smudge07 · 01 August 2013, 21:32

Portnahaven - If you are ever passing again and want the secret location let us know!! Where did you go on your trip? My old neighbour just outside Plockton had a redbay for a good while and loved it - is swapped it for a Nimbus Nova another lovely boat!

Chris Caton · 01 August 2013, 21:33

great pics

tony t · 01 August 2013, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by smudge07

Bhud!! I didn't think about giving away our secrets but at least I didn't say which Rona.......

Go on do tell mate we are all brothers here

Portnahaven · 02 August 2013, 08:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by smudge07

Portnahaven - If you are ever passing again and want the secret location let us know!! Where did you go on your trip? My old neighbour just outside Plockton had a redbay for a good while and loved it - is swapped it for a Nimbus Nova another lovely boat!

Went across to Stornoway and Loch Maddy the following day. But fuel was getting low so went to Uig to refuel and then across the Minch.
Will give you a shout next time up that way - hopefully fairly soon

xr650 · 05 August 2013, 21:53

Great pics....talked about that area a few times of late...need to go back

bhud · 10 August 2013, 09:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony t

Go on do tell mate we are all brothers here

cracking achorages that is all, starting to get busier up there now.

willk · 10 August 2013, 13:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by smudge07

If you are ever passing again and want the secret location let us know!!

Zer are no secrets from willkDAR!

If you want to keep a secret on here, two top tips:

1. Don't pique my interest with photos of Heaven on Earth
2. Don't post a photo of the Nautical Chart on the bothy wall

bhud · 10 August 2013, 14:12

Ha ha looking forward to see you loons in the North!

Portnahaven · 10 August 2013, 15:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhud

Ha ha looking forward to see you loons in the North!

Are you sure you do.

smudge07 · 10 August 2013, 16:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by willk

Zer are no secrets from willkDAR!

If you want to keep a secret on here, two top tips:

1. Don't pique my interest with photos of Heaven on Earth
2. Don't post a photo of the Nautical Chart on the bothy wall

Very impressed

Did we mention first visit to Rona you need to bring the booze

Robbie Diesel · 10 August 2013, 18:23

Great photos smudge! Stayed in the same Bothy a few years ago for a 40th Birthday party.

It was actually Creachan, a member on here's 40th Birthday! (He bought Milans Gemini Waverider 730) One of the bonniest little anchorages on the west coast. We spent the night there, 3 x ribs & 2 x hard boats & then went over to Portree on Skye for lunch the following day, before returning to our home island of Lewis/Stornoway. Included a few snaps of our trip, no decking outside the bothy when we were there, looks a nice addition. & of course a pic of the main man, the living legend that is Bill Cowie! What an absolute star who went out of his way to make us feel welcome! Can't recommend the place highly enough

smudge07 · 10 August 2013, 18:47

Hi Robbie - that's for the post. Bill is a great guy just live it over there. Might be heading back Sept. just before I tuck the boat up for the season!
Some great looking ribs in the pontoon - which makes, models and engines not quite a rib spotter yet!
Is your the blue one with a 250?

jambo · 10 August 2013, 19:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Portnahaven

Are you sure you do.

I don't think he knows what will hit him!!

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

Portnahaven · 10 August 2013, 19:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambo

I don't think he knows what will hit him!!

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

Robbie Diesel · 10 August 2013, 21:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by smudge07

Hi Robbie - that's for the post. Bill is a great guy just live it over there. Might be heading back Sept. just before I tuck the boat up for the season!
Some great looking ribs in the pontoon - which makes, models and engines not quite a rib spotter yet!
Is your the blue one with a 250?

Orange Humber Destroyer 6.5 with Mariner 150 Optimax (Willies boat which he's now sold & bought a sweet Delta 7.5x with a Yamaha F225)

Blue & Yellow Tornado 7.5 with Yamaha F250 (My own boat, in the picture it has the original 300 Yamaha hpdi fitted, by I recently re-powered with a fourstroke 250 Yam)

White Gemini 7.5 with Evinrude E-tec 225 (Martins boat, or Creachan on rib.net)

White Raider 17 with Evinrude Ficht 90 (Bunters boat)

& the Lochin 333 Cruiser belongs to my Dad, Gordon

The Entrance to Acarsaid Mhor is a fairly complicated approach if I remember?In fact its very hard to spot from the sea! Did you go to Church Cave when you were there?