BLUEMOMENT

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We used the moorings at Craighouse on Jura last week (many more there now than on our previous visits). Cost £10 per night, and the money is collected from your boat in the morning.

One point, the moorings closest to the quay are disturbingly shallow, so I'd recommend keeping to the outside and using a leadline to check. I mention the leadline as, unusually, we were getting a false reading on the echosounder - our keel is about 1.7m.

As we, along with many others, have dragged anchor at Craighouse in a gale, I didn't really grudge it. For a £1 coin you can have a seven and a half minute shower in the grotty yottie area at the back of the hotel,

If you prefer to anchor, the kelp-strewn anchor-dragging area seems to be close to the moorings and we have noticed clean sand on the bottom a little further out, though you'll need to keep an eye on the depth.

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Tx for this Shard.

Spring range at Craighouse is only 0.8m, so if you are afloat when you moor you are generally likely to remain afloat.

Was there any sign of a dinghy pontoon, easy landing at the main pier or any other new facilities?

Nick wrote:.Spring range at Craighouse is only 0.8m, so if you are afloat when you moor you are generally likely to remain afloat.

Depends on the weather and your keel. From memory, a check with leadline revealed a depth of about about 2.4m. I don't have the tidetable handy, but guess it was around low water (during a period of high pressure). I did not feel comfortable with only 0.7m below the keel, although there was no swell at the time. We swapped position for a mooring further out.

Was there any sign of a dinghy pontoon, easy landing at the main pier or any other new facilities?

There is a now a pontoon on the outside of the quay, which is the embarkation/landing point for the fast RIB ferry for Tayvallich. This is a working area and dinghies should not clutter up the bay side of the pontoon, although I believe they are relaxed about tying on at its short side.

While not wishing to encourage the proliferation of unnecessary signs, one about dinghy etiquette would be useful - ie use a long painter and tie it up away from the landing area after disembarkation. I was surprised that some dinghies had been tied in a way that made it difficult for other users. The inner side of the quay also has steps, as well as a clean sandy landing area.

There is some construction work going in preparation for what I presume will be a larger pontoon.

We had to anchor out at the islands (holding was good) because of the sea state at the moorings, which now seem to be further South. (after having paid - bu@@er) New pontoon had not been delivered, but was imminent. Showers were abominably smelly. Don't feel the need to return.
Now in Ardfern, more expensive, but better.

Just seen this on TOP

Having picked up a mooring in Arinagour (Coll) we were visited by "Angus" in his rib the following morning, asking for £25 per night! While I appreciate that there must be some charge to pay for the laying and upkeep of moorings, this seems very steep. It is more than most marinas such as Oban, Tarbert, Rothesay, Rhu, Kip, Tobermory, etc. including power, water, and other facilities. And how do we know that "Angus" is collecting on behalf of the mooring owner anyway?

I am investigating and wil report back if I find anything out.

I picked up a mooring in Arigour on Coll last year, thought they looked grotty and under maintained, however got talking to a chap anchored close inshore. He was a diver and thinking like me that they looked grotty had dived to have a look. He assured me that the chain from the sea bed was at paperclip thickness.

No-one came for money and I was sorry, I was going to challenge them about it.

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I have e-mailed the owner, Neil Smith, inviting him to comment on both of the above reports. Watch this space.

This really is the West Lothian forum init.

Julian wrote:This really is the West Lothian forum init.

Jools West Lothian is about as close to Coll as it is to Liverpool..

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The Inner Hebrides are widely known as a world class cruising ground Julian, and sailors from all over Europe and the world use the moorings in Arinagour every year. If you think this isn't a matter of general interest then perhaps it is you who is being parochial.

Why don't you and your boat get your butts up here sometime and see what everyone is talking about for yourself?

Salen: I thought your original "Can't recommend Salen" was a bit harsh, (but not totally unfair) I'm glad you've changed it now.

I understand, a lot of people don't like the guy's attitude, and we were a bit non-plussed at being directed to a bouy of his choice. (He'd dinghied out before we even got there.)

However, people know what to expect. With us he's been polite, cheerful and friendly, and frankly we liked him and had no problems whatsoever. He even took our rubbish.

So I guess I can see it from both sides but I'm glad the write up has changed.

Incidently, I charter in Scotland at least once a year, and every time over the most recent few years I've printed off the Blue Moment moorings guide to take. I discovered this Forum this spring. I didn't put the two together 'till right now!

Nick wrote:.
The Inner Hebrides are widely known as a world class cruising ground Julian, and sailors from all over Europe and the world use the moorings in Arinagour every year. If you think this isn't a matter of general interest then perhaps it is you who is being parochial.

Why don't you and your boat get your butts up here sometime and see what everyone is talking about for yourself?

I would love to, but have you seen the weather. It would be easier if we moved the boat a few weeks prior to our cruise so she was in the area ready. We have left it too late to arrange for this year and we are still working down the list of jobs as we started late due to engine problems. Our shake down trip, well, shook down a few problems

Anyhow, I am not sure as a Sassenach I am particularly welcome in the current climate, it does in fact put me off visiting if I am truly honest.

Heyup Julian

You must not think that you will be any less welcome in Scotland because you are a Sassenach, I'm definitely a Sassenach and I have been sailing around Western Scotland now every summer for the last 10 years.

If you come to that conclusion by reading threads on this forum forget them they are just taking the p**s out of each other.

I have never had a problem with nationalism you could not meet a more friendly people than the Scots. You will have, same as everywhere more to fear from toffee nosed arrogant southern English.

It really is the most wonderful cruising that you could wish for and the weather is not as bad as you are led to believe, the best months being April, May, September, many times I've gone back to Lancashire with a tan that looks like I've been int Carribean.

Julian wrote:Anyhow, I am not sure as a Sassenach I am particularly welcome in the current climate, it does in fact put me off visiting if I am truly honest.

I never would have figured you as a shrinking violet Julian!