Cruising Route: Oban and west Argyll to the Antrim coast and Belfast Lough This is a beautiful cruising ground with a combination of inshore and offshore sailing amid wonderful and varied scenery. The channels among the southern Hebrides offer a number of alternative routes. From Oban, the track inside the islands leads either down the Sound of Luing to Crinan or further south, or else via Cuan Sound to Kilmelford or Craobh. In these sounds – and indeed almost everywhere on this route – the tidal stream is the first consid- eration in passage planning. The tide runs very fast in Cuan Sound and in the Dorus Mor leading to Crinan, and at a significant rate in the Sound of Luing, gradually lessening down the Sound of Jura. Loch Craignish and Ardfern offer a pleasant and scenic side-trip. There are visitors’ moorings at Craighouse and Gigha. An alternative route south from Oban is offshore, via Colonsay and the Sound of Islay, with Port Askaig providing a possible stopover. The Sound of Islay is also a tidal gate, with five knot tides. It is worth remembering that working these tides to advantage can result in very fast passages! The marina at Port Ellen is only a few miles to the west whether coming east or west of Jura. An alternative route south from Oban is offshore, via Colonsay and the Sound of Mull Oban Islay, with Port Askaig providing a possible stopover. The Sound of Islay is also a tidal Kilmelford gate, with five knot tides. It is worth remem- Craobh Ardfern bering that working these tides to advan- Oban to Colonsay 32 Colonsay tage can result in very fast passages! The Crinan Jura marina at Port Ellen is only a few miles to the west whether coming east or west of Jura. Port Askaig Craighouse Islay The Traffic Separation Scheme off the Mull Gigha of Kintyre, though not particularly busy, can Port Ellen be crossed only at right angles, so the best tactic when southbound is to avoid it alto- 24 gether by staying inshore of it. Rathlin is TSS just 24 miles from Port Ellen – one of the Rathlin Mull of Kintyre shortest crossings between Scotland and Ballycastle Ireland, and very pleasant in good weather Bangor to Gigha – and Ballycastle offers a convenient alter- 61 native port of call. The Mull and the North Glenarm Channel must be taken on a favourable tide, but this can’t normally be carried the whole way. Glenarm provides a convenient Carrickfergus place to break the journey if you don’t feel Bangor like punching the tide! Oban and west Argyll to the Antrim coast Bangor and Carrickfergus have large full- and Belfast Lough service marinas, and there is a 40-berth pontoon facility at Abercorn Basin in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter..