Western Isles Cruise
| Clyde Cruising Club Cruising Event Type 3 (Offshore > 1 Week) Ref: 2022/04 | |||
| Event Name: CCC Western Isles Cruise 2022 | |||
| Date: 18th ~ 31st July | Destination: Western Isles | Duration (Planned): 14 days | Distance (Total): 275 ~ 300nm |
| Start Rendezvous: Tobermory | Partial Participation Options: Y | Legs: Various | Night Hours Expected (Y/N): Y (Watch keeping unlikely) |
| Recommended ISAF Equip level: Category 4 | CCC Closed or Open Event: Closed | Invited Clubs: N/A | Linked to other Events: Follow on from Tobermory Race/Cruise |
Features
Spring-boarding off the finish of the CCC Tobermory Race and cruise
A vehicle to gather up to date data for the CCC Sailing Directions of the Western Isles
Two optional routes
Planned to return to Mull with the option of attending the Loch Spelve Muster
Itinerary
Day 0: 17th July
Participants muster at Tobermory (Participating boats can join at any point in the cruise)
Day 1: 18th July
To Canna (34M)
Alternately - Tiree (30M) (depending on the wind direction.)
Commencing 19th July: - Coll/Tiree route:
Day 2:
Gunna Sound to Castlebay Barra (41M).
Day 3 on:
From Castlebay clockwise round the southern Western Isles, through sound of Harris from W to E, Lochmaddy and reverse route to Tobermory / Oban.
Commencing 19th July: - Canna route:
Day 2:
Canna to Lochmaddy (41M)
Day 3 on:
From Lochmaddy through sound of Harris to west coast and explore according to weather. An anticlockwise circumnavigation of the southern Western Isles over subsequent days
Day 14: 31sr July
Depart Western Isles for Canna, Tobermory, Oban etc to arrive at Loch Spelve Friday 4th Aug for for the CCC Muster on Saturday 5th Aug.
Notes
- Both routes: stops probable at locations on both west and east coasts of Barra, the Uists and Benbecula. Less time on west coast than the more interesting east.
- Stopping places could include: Lochmaddy, Vallay, Monach Islands, Sound of Barra, Pabbay, Mingulay, Berneray, Hellisay, Eriskay, L Boisdale, L Eynort, L Skipport, Wiay, Uiskevagh, Ronay, Grimsay, L Eport.
- About 275 to 300M (Tob to Tob) depending on routing, over 12 days, plus a few days at end provisioning and to L Spelve.
This cruise involves sailing in waters around the Western Isles whose challenges are well known. There are marina stops, but some anchoring overnights will be required. No night sailing is planned, but at up to 45 mile passages, some longer days could well be involved, depending on weather and wind directions.
It would be suitable for boats and crews with good cruising experience, prepared for some longer passages, and with well equipped vessels, but where the additional safety of cruising in company would be a welcome assurance.
Last updated 17:00 on 2 October 2023
