UK & Ireland — West Scotland

Otter Ferry, Loch Fyne

55°59.6'N 005°23.3'W · Tarbert (Loch Fyne) (8nm)

3–8m

Depth

Excellent

Holding

90m

Alarm radius

Low

Crowd level

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.

Best Months

MayJuneJulyAugustSeptember

Anchor Zones

Otter Ferry — main anchorage

Excellent

3–8m · Alarm: 90m

Anchor in 3–7m (CD) off the Otter Ferry shingle spit, clear of the shallow spit itself. Deep mud bottom — anchor sets immediately and holds in all but the most extreme conditions. Loch Fyne is sheltered from all directions except a fetch up the loch from the SW. Tidal range 3.0–3.5m springs. The Oyster Bar is a landmark destination for sailing visitors — one of the finest seafood restaurants in Scotland.

Setting Your Anchor Alarm

90m radius allows full tidal swing in 3–8m (CD). With 3.5m tidal range at springs, actual depths at HW reach 6.5–11.5m — ensure scope is sufficient (minimum 5:1 at anchor time depth, 8:1 at maximum HW depth). Loch Fyne is long and narrow — SW winds produce a fetch along the loch axis that can create uncomfortable chop but rarely dangerous conditions given the mud holding.

Recommended radius: 90m

Hazards & Warnings

  • !Otter Ferry shingle spit extends well into the loch at LW — anchor at least 100m NW of the spit tip; the spit can be misleading at HW when it is submerged
  • !Tidal range 3.0–3.5m springs — verify actual depth at anchor time and plan scope accordingly
  • !SW fetch along the 65km loch creates chop in SW winds — uncomfortable but holding is excellent in mud
  • !Midges in calm summer evenings, particularly at dusk
  • !No mobile signal at Otter Ferry — download charts and weather before entering the upper loch

Skipper's Tips

  • ✓Book the Oyster Bar well in advance — it fills up fast and is the main reason most sailors visit Otter Ferry (01700 821229)
  • ✓The anchorage is best used for an early dinner or overnight before proceeding north up the loch or south to Tarbert and the Crinan Canal
  • ✓Tarbert (8nm south) is the main provisioning stop in this area — fuel, water, chandlery, Co-op supermarket
  • ✓The upper reaches of Loch Fyne beyond Otter Ferry are deeper and even more remote — excellent anchorages at Inveraray and St Catherines for those continuing north
  • ✓A second anchor or stern line ashore may be appropriate in SW winds to prevent the boat lying beam-on to the chop

Facilities

Restaurant

Anchoring Rules

Permit:
Not required
Fee:
Free
Restrictions:
Anchor clear of the Otter Ferry shingle spit which extends significantly at LW springs. No permit required. The Oyster Bar has a small pontoon for dinghy landing — use this rather than the spit.

Sleep Safely at Otter Ferry, Loch Fyne

Set your anchor alarm to 90m. UK tidal ranges mean your boat swings — Safe Anchor Alarm keeps watch through the night.

Download Safe Anchor Alarm — Free
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