Scotland, Wales, Ireland

[4HMainer]

Great advice so far, Wales doesn't have quite as much to offer as a cruising ground, but Ireland and Scotland (west coast and islands) are fantastic. Take your walking boots you'll want to do some hiking!

For your return trip it is often better to leave on the return leg from the Canaries in January/Feb I've done it twice at this sort of time and the trades are more consistent.

[frankdeegan]

Hi Phantom,
you'll be hitting the Azores first I take it or are you making the full run to Ireland first, your best target in Ireland's south west part would have to be Dingle in county Kerry, it has full marina facilities and breath taking scenery, I can guarantee you will never see a shade of green like this before in your life. I you want the grand tour of Ireland and where the best spots are keep in touch I'll steer you in the right direction.

Frank

[Madjohnwillie]

Hi. Just been reading your post about heading this way ( West of Scotland ). It's late November now and the weather here is truly hideous. Hope you've already headed further east to warmer climes. I'm seriously impressed. I have ony had my boat, a 30 ft cruiser, for about 4 months and am trying to find out if it's realistic to aim for Ireland, and here you are, setting out from Brooklyn! Good for you. All the best,

John

Originally Posted by Phantom Corsair

We are aiming to depart Fall 2009 aboard a Pearson 424 ketch (mine) out of Brooklyn, NY. Wife & me, plus what will be 9 (almost 10), 7 and 3-year-old boys. No itinerary yet, but we have been talking idly about hitting (among other places) Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, Greece, the Dalmation coast and N. Africa/Morocco-ish. Figuring on 9 months to a year out.

[Thonord]

Apparantly, there are a lot more pontoons in Scotland, since previous visit. (Two would actually represent "a lot")

Is there a listing, or must I browse port - by- port?

Finally revisiting this summer.

Best regards

[martymcfly]

I have sailed around Kyle of Lochalsh/Isle of Skye areas and a beauty of a place called Knoydart. Knoydart has the remotest pub on mainland uk which you access by sea(No roads to pub or area). But a must has to be going up the Caledonian canal into Loch Ness and onto inverness, you may see the loch ness monster!!!. When you come out the other side you will come into the Moray Firth where you will come across the largest dolphins in the world. Its magical... If you get that far we will come and visit you... Good luck and best wishes.. :-)

[Thonord]

Google maps show 3 Knoydarts south of Skye. I assume its Doune Knoydart you're talking about, but it has a road.
Are you sure it has a pub?

[martymcfly]

Originally Posted by Thonord

Google maps show 3 Knoydarts south of Skye. I assume its Doune Knoydart you're talking about, but it has a road.
Are you sure it has a pub?

Look on google maps Knoydart lodge, Inverie. There is a road at the front of the village but it goes to no where..
All local traffic comes and goes by boat from Mallaig..

[martymcfly]

Originally Posted by martymcfly

Look on google maps Knoydart lodge, Inverie. There is a road at the front of the village but it goes to no where..
All local traffic comes and goes by boat from Mallaig..

And it has a great welcoming pub.. :-)

[martymcfly]

Originally Posted by martymcfly

And it has a great welcoming pub.. :-)

The pub is called The Old Forge

[Thonord]

Noted. Visit desirable. Will try to influence skipper.

[elhix]

Originally Posted by Phantom Corsair

trying to enjoy Wales in Late December

No-one enjoys Wales in late December.

[LakeSuperior]

Originally Posted by Thonord

Noted. Visit desirable. Will try to influence skipper.

The pub also sponsors several moorings that are free if you are dining and drinking. BTW, there is a road but it is a two track and I think it is only used for hiking.

We sat on the mooring there in 60 knt gusts one night in 2010. That night we put a watch out. The cursed dinghy kept trying to fly out of the water. It thought it was a kite.

[rob_heath]

A good source of info about anchorages, marinas etc can be found in Welcome Anchorages ( just Google 'Welcome Anchorages ). This is a 64 page downloadable .pdf file, and covers Northern Ireland and Scotland. It contains loads of material on everything from the large marinas, down to hotels with a couple of moorings.Fair Winds
Rob