Best Anchorages in West Scotland

3–7m · Alarm: 90m

Loch Harport is one of the most dramatic anchorages on Skye's west coast — a long fjord-like sea loch cutting inland beneath the jagged peaks of the Black Cuillin. The anchorage off Carbost village offers excellent holding in soft mud with near all-round protection from Atlantic weather. The main draw for visiting sailors is the Talisker Distillery (Scotland's most celebrated island single malt whisky), located a short walk from the pier and offering tours and tastings. The loch is accessible in most weather — the entrance from the Sound of Raasay is straightforward but tides off Rubha Ban should be checked. A genuinely wild and beautiful anchorage with very few other yachts except in July–August.

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4–9m · Alarm: 85m

Tobermory is the most famous anchorage on Scotland's west coast and the main hub for cruising Mull and the surrounding islands. The colourful waterfront of painted Victorian buildings — familiar from the children's TV series 'Balamory' — creates one of Scotland's most photogenic harbours. The town has excellent provisions, chandlery, a distillery, restaurants and all services a cruising yacht needs. The bay provides reasonable all-weather shelter except in a strong westerly. The Harbour Authority manages visitor moorings and a small marina — contact VHF Ch 12. A legendary destination that every sailor on Scotland's west coast should visit.

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3–8m · Alarm: 85m

Loch Spelve is a hidden gem on Mull's southeast coast — a deep, landlocked sea loch that provides virtually complete all-weather shelter and a profound sense of wilderness. The entrance narrows restrict entry to near-HW conditions (bar dries 0.2m above CD) but once inside, the loch opens to a spacious anchorage surrounded by moorland hills. An active oyster farm occupies the northern section — anchor clear of the floats and lines. No facilities whatsoever, but the solitude and security make it a favourite for those caught in Atlantic gales or simply seeking an unforgettable wild anchorage. Red deer frequently visit the waterline at dawn.

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2–6m · Alarm: 80m

Loch Craignish is the natural staging post for yachts transiting the Crinan Canal — the 14.5nm shortcut that avoids the 100nm passage around the Mull of Kintyre. The village of Ardfern at the loch head has a full-service boatyard (Craobh Haven Marina nearby), provisions, pub and all the facilities a cruising yacht needs. The loch itself is beautiful — a long, narrow sea loch with several island anchorages providing quiet alternatives to the busier Ardfern. The Dorus Mor tidal race at the loch entrance (6+ knots at springs) must be timed carefully — local knowledge or pilot book essential.

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3–7m · Alarm: 80m

Carradale Bay sits on the east coast of the Kintyre peninsula, facing across the Kilbrannan Sound to the Island of Arran. In settled conditions it offers a pleasant overnight anchorage with reasonable facilities in Carradale village. The backdrop of Kintyre's green hills and the view across to Arran's dramatic mountains is one of the finest in the Firth of Clyde. A working fishing harbour with a small fleet of nephrops (scampi) trawlers adds to the atmosphere. The bay is best in northerlies and easterlies; SW swell can make it untenable. Carradale village has a hotel, pub and small shop.

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3–8m · Alarm: 85m

Portree is the capital of Skye and its main hub for visiting sailors — a colourful harbour town nestled in a sheltered bay with excellent provisions, restaurants and all yacht services. The town's name derives from 'Port Rìgh' (King's Port), commemorating a visit by James V in 1540. The famous Cuillins are visible on a clear day from the anchorage. Portree is the provisioning base for exploring the entire north and east coast of Skye including the Trotternish peninsula, Loch Snizort and the Sound of Raasay. Full chandlery and fuel available — rare on Skye.

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4–10m · Alarm: 90m

Loch Aline is the most sheltered anchorage on the Sound of Mull — a deep, almost landlocked sea loch on the Morvern peninsula opposite Mull. The loch's near-total protection makes it one of the finest storm refuges on the west coast, used by yachts and commercial vessels alike. Lochaline village has a small shop and the Whitehouse Restaurant — one of the most celebrated restaurants on the west coast (seafood tasting menus using only local produce; booking essential). The sand dredging operation (exporting high-purity silica sand used in specialist optical glass manufacturing) gives the loch a slightly industrial character but does not affect the quality of the anchorage.

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2–6m · Alarm: 75m

Loch Sween is one of Scotland's most beautiful and least visited sea lochs — a long, sheltered waterway on the Knapdale coast between the Crinan Canal and the Sound of Jura. The village of Tayvallich at the inner loch has a legendary sailing pub (Tayvallich Inn) and superb scenery. Castle Sween at the loch mouth is the oldest standing castle on the Scottish mainland (c.1100 AD). The loch is renowned for its peace and beauty — it attracts far fewer yachts than the Crinan-area lochs and rewards those who make the detour.

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3–7m · Alarm: 85m

Loch Sunart is one of Scotland's finest sea lochs — 20nm long, deeply penetrating the Ardnamurchan peninsula between Moidart and Morvern, and designated as a National Nature Reserve of European importance. The loch is an extraordinary wildlife habitat: otters are almost guaranteed at dawn and dusk, red deer come down to drink, sea eagles nest above, and the underwater kelp forest is one of the richest in Scotland. The village of Salen provides a modest anchorage with a small hotel and shop. Strontian (at the loch head) gave its name to the element strontium (first identified in local lead mines in 1787). A remote and beautiful destination that rewards those willing to make the approach around Ardnamurchan Point.

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3–7m · Alarm: 80m

Gigha (pronounced 'Ghee-a', from the Norse 'God's Island') is the southernmost of the Hebridean islands — a small, fertile island 7nm long off the Kintyre coast. The island is famous for Achamore Gardens (sub-tropical exotic gardens in the Gulf Stream microclimate, maintained by the island community who bought the island cooperatively in 2002). The anchorage at Ardminish is one of the most charming on the Kintyre coast — a perfect island stop en route between the Firth of Clyde and the Crinan Canal. The community-owned island has a hotel, a pub, a shop and an atmosphere of extraordinary friendliness.

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3–8m · Alarm: 90m

Otter Ferry on Loch Fyne is one of the classic west Scotland anchorages — a beautiful, sheltered spot in the longest sea loch in Scotland (65km) with outstanding holding in deep mud and the legendary Oyster Bar restaurant just steps from the dinghy landing. Loch Fyne is famous for its oysters, herring and seafood, and the Oyster Bar has been serving fresh local produce to sailors and visitors since the 1980s. The anchorage is wild and beautiful — rolling green hills on both sides of the loch, with total quiet except for the occasional passing coaster. A defining west Scotland experience.

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