BLUEMOMENT

We're planning to spend some time exploring the Inner Sound/Sound of Raasay between Skye and the Mainland plus the surrounding Lochs in some detail.

We've got the CCC Directions, Martin Lawrence and Haswell-Smith but would really value some recommendations for the top few places to stay/visit/sail past from the 'real world' people of the YBW forumisti!

Our strong preference is for sheltered, deserted anchorages with a challenging entrance, no moorings, no other boats and stunning scenery. However we understand these are thin on the ground and we'll want to eat out from time to time so suggestions of decent hotels/pubs and any picturesque towns/villages with moorings/pontoons would also be welcome, as would interesting sights on shore.

Don't be limited too much by our preferences - if there's somewhere you think is worth a visit we'd love to hear about it and why you like it! If you like it there's a good chance we will too!

We're not fussed about anything further North than Loch Ewe or further south than Kyle Rhea. We know Kyle Loch Alsh, Kyleakin, Acairseid Mhor (v. nice), Portee, Loch Sligachan, Crowlin Islands (v. nice) & Plockton so don't really need to hear about them! We draw about 1.8m and can't dry out!

Maybe it will spark some ideas off if I ask for comments on the following:

Gairloch/Badachro
Kilmaluag Bay
Staffin Bay
Eilean Fladday, Raasay. Both Anchorages, North and South.
Tianavaig Bay/Camastianavaig, (South of Portee).
Poll Doin/Ardban/Ard Bane (Mainland North of the Crowlin Islands)
Camas a Mhor Bheoil/Gedintailor (South of Camastianavaig).
Scalpay Sound (East and West Anchorages)
Camas Na Geadaig, North of Scalpay.
Poll Creadha
Loch na Beist
Kishorn Island, Loch Kishorn
Ob Aonig/Totaig, Loch Duich - Near Castle Donan
Lochcarron, Loch Carron.
Torridon/Sheildaig
Loch Ewe
Anywhere good within sight of Eilean Donan Castle?

Thanks in advance!

PS: We also have a hankering to visit the Shiants. If we did it would most likely be a lunch stop. If we did that we'd probably dash to one of the following afterwards to warm up and dry off! Anyone suggest the best of: Harris,
Loch Shell (Tob Eishken), Tarbert, Meavag, Scalpay. A mooring bouy or pontoon, decent pub and shower would be welcome but not essential!

Did a circumnavigation of Skye a couple of years ago - Badachro a great place to stop over. Not remote or difficult but beautiful spot and great pub. We got showers at the pub ( I think they were free because we were eating at the pub). They have a lovely deck looking over the anchorage.
If you have not been there already Canna is a must visit on the way south.

Again not remote but pleasant anchorage near Eilan Donan at Balmacara Bay 57°16.9392 N 005°39.1239 W. Gets you away from the hustle and bustle of Kyle/ Kylakin and saves some money!

The whole West coast of Skye is of course magnificent, but I would make a special plea for going in to Loch Harport. The approach from sea is dramatic with islands, cliffs and rocks all around. We anchored in little Gesto Bay because it was the only sheltered place in a F7 coming straight down Harport. Looked like standing waves all the way down to Carbost, but with normal prevailing wind would be a sheltered spot with moorings. Been to Carbost lots from land - good pub and of course the Talisker distillery. Portnalong also looks like a good anchorage in the right wind.

Hope this is helpful.

John

Many thanks John, that's perfect!

Hi Windfinder. You'll probably find that the people on here may have already responded to your thread in the other place. I haven't sailed north of Plockton, so cannot really comment, but would echo John's suggestion re Loch Harport;



You can't go wrong with the CCC Directions, Martin Lawrence and Haswell-Smith. Enjoy!

Shard? Who knows Scotland?

Is this you in Dallens Bay in April 2006 by any chance?

Yes, that's us.

Don't know north of Plockton though. Maybe this year.....

Small world. That was a good squally couple of days. Fantastic.

We keep Shard at Linnhe Marine during the season. There's terrific sailing in the area, with a load of rarely visited anchorages; there are some reasonable ones that don't feature in the pilots (some mentioned in this forum).



It's relatively handy for us. I suppose the only downside is being a couple of hours away from the Sound of Mull, but there are Lismore and all the smaller islands and inlets to explore.

We're thinking of going west and north this year, but who knows? It's all wind dependent. Might see you around.

Ahhh, we thought you were visiting but on reflection it would have been a Sunday night so I guess that was the end of your weekend.

We didn't see much of Linnhe, much to our dissapointment. We had been planning to go round Ardmuchan Point from Tobermory but with frequent 40kt+ squalls from the West we decided to chicken out and run with it to Dallens Bay under Genoa alone. ...and that's where you came in with a cheery hello!

Nah, I don't do cheery. Mme Shard makes a passable effort though....