BLUEMOMENT

sahona wrote: I meant for the dinghy. I can't imagine a reason for the 'mother-ship' coming in other than to drop/pickup crew, as there's nothing to plug in to.....

Sorry, I appreciate you meant the Dinghy.

I'm still flumoxed. I guess they must have asked round and found that enough people felt that a dinghy pontoon was worthwhile. Personally I'm amazed by that.

It's not to attract the Hebridean Princess to Loch Ranza is it?

Arghiro wrote:........Excellent if shopping (if any shops still there!)....

last time i was there the only remaining shop was at the caravan site.

Most effective method of attracting more visitors to Loch Ranza would be:

A) Remove the existing publican and replace.

B) Install a midgie eating machine

C) Provide more visitors moorings.

We were in last Monday, the day before the pontoons were open and as the last bit of concrete had just been laid.
The wummin selling raffle tickets was saying the end of the pontoon has a hoist for the disabled sailors, but she had no idea of demand. I asked if there was water on the pontoon. She looked puzzled and replied that yes, it occasionally got wet.
I explained I was actually interested in piped fresh water for replenishing the tanks as I plan trips around water supply.
No piped water, but it might be added, says the wummin.
After a pint in the Catacol we wandered into the Lochranza Hotel with some trepidation as it has not ranked as the most welcoming pub in the circuit. It was a pleasant suprise to find the place looking good with a friendly barman, one hand pump (Fyne Ales Highlander) and good grub.
Back to the subject... the crew which built the pontoon from an Aberdeen company said the plan was for the ramp and first leg to remain in place all year. The right angle leg will be Summer only. Off the record they did add a rider; "if it lasts that long"!
On the whole the project shows some willingness on the part of the locals, but I have never found landing the dink on the beach much of a problem. Perhaps it will come into its own at low water with rocks and weed to negotiate.

So_Sage_of_Lorne wrote:B) Install a midgie eating machine

A cousin who lurks in a but an' ben above the Kyles has such a machine. the little annoying people are attracted by something or other into a pouch which freezes them. the thing kicks out a frozen block of dead midges which, he says, makes good compost ...

It's carbon dioxide the annoying people are attracted to. Not sure what the process is that gets them in the collector though but they sure do work. Saw a demo machine at the garage in Loch Carron and thought the bag full of dead uns could be used for something. Maybe ground bait?

Now all we need is a similar machine to deal with the ticks.

Looks like the locals are not exactly welcoming yachties with open arms.

My wife and daughter were in Brodick at the weekend, and brought back a copy of the Arran Banner. This is a copy of an article on the said pontoon.



I don't think it will be on my "Must Visit" list

What's your take

I agree

Its not the sort of thing to encourage people to go there

Perhaps thats their intention.

Are all the islands so misanthropic?

The newspaper article makes things a lot clearer.

Rowana wrote:What's your take

jings ... i s'pose the wee cafe at the ferry landing isn't a commercial undertaking in an environmentally sensitive area. last time i was there, they didn't give their tea and scones fer free ... oh, and the collection box for the keep - i presume they'll be objecting tae thon as well ..

Rowana wrote:I don't think it will be on my "Must Visit" list

What's your take

Disagree. After that article, it's definitely on the haud-me-back list.

It sounds like a NIMBY to me, refering to yon article.

I didn't realise Loch Ranza was an environmentaly sensitive area, it's a sea loch, it gets flushed twice a day. I suppose its a habitat for some common species that lives in every other sea loch, and the sea.

Public safety? Folk might fall in, so what? If you can't swim keep off. If blathered, keep off.

Light polution???? A couple of saloon lights are far brighter than car headlights zipping past, NOT.

The pub seemed OK when we were there this year, and reasonably full too, no complaints there. It was a bit of a treck to the shop at the caravan site, and there wasn't much in it either, a good shop would be welcome.

The beach seemed OK but a dingy pontoon would be more convenient. I've a good mind to moor the little ship and stay there 3 hours just to be a rebel.

Let's revisit this thread in a a while, once we've all had ACTUAL experience of the place/facilities, instead of all this negative conjecture.
That goes for the locals as well...

sahona wrote:Let's revisit this thread in a a while, once we've all had ACTUAL experience of the place/facilities, instead of all this negative conjecture.
That goes for the locals as well...

I'm not sure there is negative conjecture.

Some decisions were made that seemed odd.

The newspaper article makes all clear, all is right with the world.

Bless 'em. fancy living near the sea & being frightened of people who arrive by boat. Do you think they are expecting the Vikings to raid?


Should we mount a mass "Rape & Pillage" expedition to avoid them being dissappointed?