Penguin Bolt Holes - : Augmented/Consolidated/Edited by RIBW
Penguin Bolt Holes - : Augmented/Consolidated/Edited by RIBW
Penguin Bolt Holes - : Augmented/Consolidated/Edited by RIBW
Successful cruising in the Western Isles is largely dependent on making the right
decisions when plans have to change when wind and weather are different from those
forecast. With its lack of 'lit' harbours, decisions must always involve knowing how
difficult the entrance is under failing light conditions. In addition some of the most
useful harbours for specific wind directions are not listed in the Clyde Cruising Club
pilots. The document describes harbours which a skipper may consider. However, this
document is not suitable for any form of pilotage. It is merely an illustrated gazetteer
of possible harbours.
Initials at the end of each entry indicate the level of facilities ashore. "NF" means
none! "SF" means small facilities - perhaps a small shop or a few houses but probably
not a restaurant. "GF" means good facilities including a restaurant.
16
15
1
2 14
17
3
4 13
8
5 9 10
7 11
5 6
6 12
6 5
4 3 2
7
7 1
4 1
8 3
11 8
2 9
10
5
6 4 2
7
3 1
8 9
22
11 10
15 21
12 13 14 20
16
23
19
17 18↓
A. Kintyre to Ardnamurchan
A.1) Loch Creran, N of Oban.
Port Appin.
No Data
OS Grid Ref: NM9045
© Copyright Trevor Rickard
WGS84: 56º 33.34 N, 5º 24.97 W
A.7) Coll,
Arinagour is the main and usual
anchorage for Coll. The bay shoals and
it is a long way in the dinghy. There is
an excellent pub. Getting off in the
dark can be hazardous. Coll is not a
nice place to get caught in a S gale,
(GF)
OS Grid Ref: NM2257
WGS84: 56º 37.34 N, 6º 31.44 W
© Copyright Lisa Jarvis
A.9b Ulva NW
No Data
OS Grid Ref: NM3841
Photo looks out to Treshnish Islands
© Copyright Dave Fergusson
WGS84: 56º 29.52 N, 6º 15.38 W
A.10) Bunessan,
Loch Lathaich. on the N Side of Ross
of Mull, has a lighthouse on the island
off the entrance and can be entered at
night in an emergency. Go well up the
bay, it is more sheltered than it looks.
Depending on weather, anchor between
the Eilan Ban and the jetty. Excellent
mooring for waiting for the tide to
transit Iona Sound. Convenient for
Staffa. (SF).
OS Grid Ref: NM3722
© Copyright Bob Jones
WGS84: 56º 19.09 N, 6º 14.90 W
A.18) Kildalton Bay, Islay, inside the Ardmore islands, off Kildalton House.
This is an interesting passage after
passing southwards through the Sound
of Islay. The CCC notes are very good
and can be easily followed. The final
entrance if approaching from the E
must be treated with care to avoid the
rock Garbh-sgeir Beg. The tidal range
here is a bit odd, even at springs it is
only about 1 m. Convenient for Ardbeg
distillery.
OS Grid Ref: NR4347
© Copyright Gordon Brown
WGS84: 55º 39.14 N, 6º 4.44 W
A.19) Ardfern.
There is now a very friendly and well
equipped “Yacht Centre” here. There is
also an excellent pub within 1km.
(GF).
OS Grid Ref: NM8104
WGS84: 56º 11.01 N, 5º 31.63 W
A.20) Kimelford.
At the head of Loch Melfort is a large
yacht repair yard and hotel. On the N
side of the bay there are a set of
mooring buoys and a small harbour.
OS Grid Ref: NM8312
© Copyright Richard Webb
GS84: 56º 15.38 N, 5º 29.80 W
A.22) Dunstaffnage.
There is an extensive Marina with
Pontoons at Dunstaffnage. A
flourishing sailing organisation with
alongside facilities is here. There is
public transport into Oban. (GF)
B.4) Canna.
The only harbour in the Small isles that is protected from all directions. It can be
entered at night in almost any condition as long as one hugs the N side and then jink S
abreast of the pier. But, and it is a big but, holding ground is poor as there is a lot of
kelp. Try and drop the hook onto sand and pull it well in. In a strong S to SW gale
edge gently to the southern shore and anchor in as little water as the tide will allow.
Put out a kedge if in any doubt. Fishing boats are apt to shelter here in rough weather
B.8) Arisaig
Arisaig is best entered when the tide is
rising from half height or lower. Local
pilotage instructions are essential!
Arisaig hosts a boatyard, a railway
station on the Fort William to Mallaig
line, an hotel and other services (GF)
OS Grid Ref: NM6586
© Copyright Lisa Jarvis
WGS84: 56º 54.4567 N 5º 50.84 W
C.2) Plockton.
There are lights but the entrance is not
easy as daylight fails. Not a place to go
to late in the evening. Sheltered from N
to SE. (GF)
OS Grid Ref: NG8033?class=Bay
WGS84: 57º 20.38 N, 5º 38.84 W
C.14) Tanera Mor or, preferably, Tanera Beg in the Summer Islands.
Eilean Fada Mor lies between Tanera Mor and Tanera Beg. It is easy to identify and
must be passed very close to. These islands are now under new ownership and Tanera
Mor, especially, is thriving. (SF)
Tanera Mor
OS Grid Ref: NB9907
© Copyright Chris Eilbeck
WGS84: 58º 0.51 N, 5º 23.71 W
Tanera Beg
OS Grid Ref: NB9607
© Copyright Dave Simpson
WGS84: 58º 0.70 N, 5º 26.58 W
D. Hebrides
D.1) Loch Mharabhig (Marvig), on the E coast of Lewis.
Southern entrance probably best on first visit. Keep well off shore passing seawards
of Oigh Sgeir Rock, Keeping clear of Eilan Thoraidh and central up channel. Anchor
well in the S side of the harbour. The fish farm has a good jetty and waterhose.
(Houses but NF)
OS Grid Ref: NB4119 ; © Copyright Anne Burgess; WGS84: 58º 5.16 N, 6º 23.43 W
D.2) Leumrabhagh
A village inside Rubha na Cudaigean
on N side of Loch Sealg (Shell), N of
Eilan Liubhaird. A useful place to wait
for a S going stream. Use the latest
CCC pilot. (NF)
OS Grid Ref: NB3711
Copyright Anne Burgess;
WGS84: 58º 0.95 N, 6º 26.37 W
D.5) Chaise Bay, N Uist on the S shore of the Sound of Harris, S of Hermetray.
No photo. A good harbour and not difficult to find once one has identified Hermetray.
Chart shows Angus rock which dries 3 or 4 feet. Keep well in centre of the channels
until the leading marks for Chaise bay open up. Good holding ground. (NF). OS Grid Ref:
NF9773
D.7) Loch Skiport (Skipoirt): Little Kettle Pool (Caolas Mor) or Wizard pool, S.Uist.
Deep water N side of En Ornais helps
to identify Shillay (Siolaigh) Mor and
Shillay Beag. Both anchorages have
splendid holding ground. Water is
available at the fish farm 3 miles up the
loch. (NF)
Photo: Wizard Pool, SE of Islands in
the foreground, looking NW to Caolas
Mor.
OS Grid Ref: NF8437
© Copyright Fin'n'Liz
WGS84: 57º 19.32 N, 7º 14.60 W
D.8) Acairseid Mhòr, Eriskay (not to be confused with Acairseid Mhor, Rona).
The best entrance lights and beacons in
the Hebrides. Keep well offshore until
the marks show and keep the line
carefully. There are a lot of old
moorings around so buoy the anchor.
Easy water at jetty. The original venue
of the true "whisky galore". (SF)
OS Grid Ref: NF7909
© Copyright Tom Pullman
WGS84: 57º 3.87 N, 7º 17.37 W