WELCOME ANCHORAGES 2020 Din seilvenn Dein Segelfreund Compagnon de Croisière COMPLETE FACILITIES GUIDE for mooring and SCOTTISH berthing at locations on Scotland's WEST COAST, NORTH EAST COAST, NORTHERN ISLES, Colour coding: CANALS Green: N Ireland Black: Clyde EAST COAST and Ireland's NORTHERN COAST Red: West Coast Yellow: NW Coast PASSAGE Lt Blue: N&E Scotland Orange: East Coast GUIDE YOU ALWAYS WIN WHEN YOU TAKE US WITH YOU www.tunnock.co.uk WILLKOMMEN BIENVENUE VELKOMMEN WELCOME ANCHORAGES 2020 ELCOME to the cruising waters of Scotland and the north of Ireland, and cockpit companion has been dissected into the six natural, popular Wa particularly warm welcome to Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters. sailing sectors in the north of the British Isles, each with its own In your hands you have the comprehensive guide to designated colour and whereas this publication is the recognised all marinas and those anchorages where there northern cruising guide, it is not intended to be as comprehensive as are facilities ashore, stretching northwards from the CCC Sailing Directions and you will find more information about Eyemouth, or Sligo, or Ardglass, or Stranraer. these essential publications on page 57. Wherever your ‘port of entry’ your cruise Also in this year’s Welcome Anchorages, you’ll find a number of northwards can be made all the more enjoyable marina centres showing the British Marine Scotland logo. They by using Welcome Anchorages as your extra crew all maintain a code of quality and responsibility demanded by member, advising on safe havens to visit en route. their membership of this national trade organisation. Similarly, if you are joining at the Shetlands or Orkney, your As the advert below indicates, in this Year of Coasts and cruise south down either the west coast or east coast, can be Waters, promoted by EventScotland, there will be loads of guided by this annually updated publication. activities afloat to see and some to participate in, making this And don’t forget the canals! While magnificent and particular season the one to visit the fabulous cruising waters of picturesque, referring to them simply as ‘short cuts’ does Scotland and the north of Ireland. them a massive disservice, but they certainly do save time As an appetite whetter, Welcome Anchorages’ new news Colour coding: going from the Firth of Clyde to the west coast pages feature highlights new amenities, facilities upgrades Green: N Ireland proper via the Crinan Canal, or from the Black: Clyde and special activities laid on for this extra special year for North Sea to the Western Isles courtesy Red: West Coast tourism, most of it supporting ‘Awakening the Giant’, Yellow: NW Coast of the mighty Caledonian Canal – look Lt Blue: N&E Scotland the strategic framework for Scotland’s Marine Tourism out for the monster in Loch Ness! Orange: East Coast Sector created in 2015. As usual, your Welcome Anchorages ISSN 2056-7197 Alistair Vallance Editor and Publisher Welcome Anchorages, Wheatsheaf House, Montgomery Street, The Village, East Kilbride G74 4JS Tel: 01355 279077 Email: [email protected] COVER PICTURE: Dressed overall for the Year of Coasts and Waters: Yachts emerge from the lowest canal lock on the famous Neptune’s Staircase at Fort William. Photo Scottish Canals. YEAR OF COASTS AND WATERS 2020 get on board with a range of events! STORM BRITISH AND FÈIS CHALA AN STEÒRNABHAGH LAUNCH! ON THE SEA WITH SCOTTISH NATIONAL T-SRUTHAIR AIR A’CHÙAN SURFING CHAMPS SCOTLAND’S LIFEBOATS EDINBURGH AUTUMN OF ENDURANCE GLASGOW INTERNATIONAL COASTAL CONNECTIONS ISLE MARTIN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL: DOON THE WATTER SEAWEED FESTIVAL FESTIVAL OF VISUAL SCOTLAND’S SHORES ART (GI) NEVIS WATER SCOTTISH TRADITIONAL BOAT AISEAG STORIES SEA TAMAGOTCHI FESTIVAL: PORTSOY AHOY! NORTHERN LIGHTS TRAVELLING CRYPTIC PRESENTS CULZEAN BY THE SEA FESTIVAL GALLERY COASTS SIGNAL AT DUSK THE SKYE FESTIVAL / CLYDEBUILT FESTIVAL AND WATERS TOUR FEIS AN EILEIN CANAL FESTIVAL FINDHORN BAY TIME MACHINE STANZA COLOURS OF THE CART FESTIVAL MARINE FEST AS PART OF PAISLEY’S SMA’ DOLPHINFEST TASTE OF ORKNEY SHOT DAY FERRY TALES YOUR TAY, YOUR ADVENTURE FESTIVAL MAKING WAVES FESTIVAL EDINBURGH SCIENCE FESTIVAL: DUMBARTON FESTIVAL SCOTLAND’S BOAT SHOW: WATER FOR LIFE RIVER TOWN GLASGOW CANAL FESTIVAL RIVER OF LIGHT ROWAROUND SCOTLAND THE FIFE REGATTA SHETLAND BOAT WEEK THE ROYAL NATIONAL MÒD Check out more events at visitscotland.com/ycw2020 Join the conversation #YCW2020 Wave of excitement building for the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020 Sail north for sensational seafood. ISITORS and locals across from Shetland, Dumfries and Galloway Scotland are invited to ‘dip their to the Western Isles and Fife. V toes’ into Scotland’s Year of ‘Scotland’s Themed Years have been Coasts and Waters 2020 with a running since 2009 and we know they range of water borne activity celebrating are a proven mechanism for us all to the forthcoming themed year. work together to create opportunities From canal carnivals to coastal to diversify our tourism offer, whilst inspired opera and art, seaweed festivals promoting Scotland as a great place to and science events, to thrill-seeking visit for people from around the world. endurance activities and coastal rowing ‘Over 60% of the events include an ‘on voyages, Scotland’s celebratory year-long the water’ activity element. event will shine a spotlight on a wide ranging and far reaching programme of events and festivals throughout 2020. When launching the Year of Coasts and Waters 2020, Fiona Hyslop MSP, cabinet secretary for Culture, Tourism Ardfern’s anniversary and External Affairs said, ‘We have an exciting year ahead celebrating Scotland’s wonderfully diverse helps local boat club coasts, canals, rivers and lochs. The events programme is full of tours and O CELEBRATE 40 years of exhibitions, community activities and family ownership, marina, Craignish Boat Club’s new Wayfarer. festivals, supported by over £770,000 T boatyard and chandlery of Scottish Government funding. These business, Ardfern Yacht Centre Ltd events will be taking place in locations (AYC) has made a donation to the local boat club in Loch Craignish. After losing an old Wayfarer dinghy in a storm last season, Craignish Boat Club At Loch Long last... (CBC) were actively seeking funds to meet the cost of a replacement vessel. A long debated project to install a ‘The Wayfarer is one of two dinghies pontoon and visitor moorings at that we use to introduce the youngest Arrochar, has come to fruition with the cadets to the joys of skippered sailing Loch Long Jetty Association offering and with membership at an all-time new marine facilities for the village; a high it is in great demand, so we are Fusion Marine pontoon measuring 46.1m grateful to the yacht centre for their with a 12.6m hammerhead installed, 40th anniversary donation which attached to an existing slipway. The low allowed us to fund a replacement tide depth of water on the sea side of the boat,’ said Craignish Boat Club hammerhead is 3m and 2m on the shore commodore Rory Day. side. pier used for taking cattle and freight ‘It is 40 years since my father to and from the local islands, the site purchased the yacht centre at Ardfern at Ardfern was first established as a and it seemed a fitting way to celebrate working boatyard and engineering that landmark, by assisting CBC workshop with a few swinging with the purchase of the Wayfarer moorings in the 1970’s. to encourage the next generation of ‘Now investment over the years young sailors to get out on to the water, allows us to provide our customers especially as we head into the ‘Year of with the full in-house service Coasts and Waters 2020’ in Scotland,’ experience, which is unique on the said AYC director Joanna Ashton. west coast of Scotland,’ added fellow New pontoon at Arrochar. Originally formed around an old director Andrew Ashton. PAGE 4 WELCOME ANCHORAGES 2020 Room with a view: Coll Hotel’s new restaurant. A popular cruise planning aid is the West of Scotland Sailing Map which is designed to show the ‘Big Picture’. It shows the west coast of Scotland and the Hebrides on one large sheet and combines the information shown on a conventional road map with selected nautical details. Now in its second edition, it shows visitor information such as towns, villages, roads, ferries and airports on a high quality topographical map, scale 1:350,000. Available at yacht chandlers, bookshops and online, RRP £10.95. Coll Hotel, the island’s only hotel, bar •and restaurant has steadily grown over the Launch time at the Optimist Nationals. last 35 years and last season opened a new extension, housing a 60 seater restaurant with stunning bay views, lounge bar, a character filled public bar and new kitchen. The hotel supports island produce suppliers, including Coll reared lamb, creel caught lobsters and crab, langoustines, soft fruit, salad, vegetables and eggs: A ‘go to’ destination in the Hebrides. Preparing for the new season, •Scottish Canals was hard at work with lock gate replacements at Fort Augustus on the Caledonian Canal, part of a critical repair programme. The 200 year old waterway plays a vital role in local communities, attracting tourists as well as stimulating job creation and business growth. Fife Regatta will be held from the 4-11 Ardentinny Hotel owners have laid During the last winter Scottish Canals June, when the classic yachts designed seven new moorings on Loch Goil. also changed the operating mechanisms and built at Fairlie on the Clyde, over 100 from hydraulic to an electrical system, years ago, return to their birthplace to which will provide a wide range of celebrate their heritage and enjoy the best benefits, including quieter, more reliable of Clyde cruising, Scottish food and drink and energy efficient operation.