SCOTLAND 2010

 

It is too long since we have had Shrimper Week in Scotland and it is planned to right this in 2010, basing the first week in the  Firth of Clyde, with the possibility of an informal second week cruise through the Crinan Canal to Oban, Isle of Mull and the inner Western Isles area, taking in perhaps Iona and Fingal’s Cave.

 

 

 

 

The Firth of Clyde is a sheltered but wonderfully scenic cruising area with destinations ranging from sheltered bays to busy fishing harbours and marinas. Long lochs penetrate far into the highlands whilst its outer reaches comprise a scatter of islands, each of a different size and character. Land based attractions include castles, archaeology, sub tropical botanical gardens, distilleries and some beautifully restored Victorian toilets !

 

The week will be centred in Rothesay on the Isle of Bute and we will day sail from there but with one night away planned in the Kyles of Bute after a BBQ – option to return to Rothesay for the night.

 

Start and finish will be at  Kip marina (45 mins drive from Glasgow)

 

The second week would likely finish at Oban where there is a very scenic rail connection to Largs/ Kip via Glasgow in order to fetch cars and trailers back to Oban for recovering boats. 

 

 

 

To provide a broad picture of the plan:-

 

Sat 12th June – launch at Kip marina (near Greenock), leave cars/ trailers and sail (9nm) to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute, our base for the week. There is a ferry back to the mainland every 30 mins if needed. Welcome dinner and briefing

 

Sun 13th to Fri 18th - Day sailing from Rothesay but with one night away planned in the Kyles of Bute after a BBQ – option to return to Rothesay for the night.

 

Rothesay (reputed to be the warmest place on the Clyde as the Gulf Stream pours straight in) is a former Victorian holiday town, which is ideal for the Shrimpers in that are shops, restaurants of all kinds, pubs, accommodation from grand to simple, and plentiful diversions, all close to hand to a harbour which will be for our sole use.

 

Each day’s sail would be approx 5nm to 10nm each way and would be the means of getting to the days social event. These include a BBQ, a visit to the Marquis of Bute’s Victorian Gothic Mansion, and cycling opportunities on Bute and other islands. There would also be one or two races.

 

Sat 19th – return to Kip Marina and depart for home, or commence informal second week cruise through the Crinan Canal to Oban.

 

Fri 25th – Oban to Kip Marina by train to collect cars and trailers.

 

A more detailed information pack will be sent in Jan 2010 to all those posting or emailing the following info to:- Ian Fisher, Gallopers Cottage, Sarratt Rd, Croxley Green, Rickmansworth, WD3 3JF ian@fishermail.co.uk

 

 

 

I definitely shall/ possibly will participate.

 

 

 

First Week/ Second Week/ Both Weeks

 

 

 

Name/ Boat name/ Sail number

 

 

 

Contact Details: Address/ phone/ email