Loch long

[Mantaclause]

We will soon be off on our family holiday to Ardgartan on loch long in Scotland and if the weather forecast is good will be bringing the sib with us (380 air deck lodestar and 30hp Yamaha) just for a bit of exploring and maybe a bit of ringo and wakeboarding. does anyone have any advice on things to see or any hazards in the area to avoid? Thanks

[breezeblock]

midges

[Poly]

Have you read the clydeport notice to mariners?

[Mantaclause]

Originally Posted by Poly

Have you read the clydeport notice to mariners?

No , should I have read it?

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Mantaclause

No , should I have read it?

I think it's always a good idea to read the NTMs for any area you are planning to operate in. I've not been in loch long for many years but I think the points that spring to mind are: there are speed limits; those limits are enforced by guys with guns; they are protecting naval operations so you want to understand the exclusion zones (not that I think they are often active far up l.long). Once you know the rules and who you might be upsetting (yachts will know them too) then you can make your own mind up about how religiously you abide by them (or when you do!).

You certainly NEED to read them if you plan going anywhere remotely near culport.

[Fenlander]

QHM Notices | Royal Navy

QHM Clyde | Royal Navy

[Mantaclause]

Thanks I will do some research.

[beamishken]

Have a ride down the Loch for a look at the naval Base then hang a right up Loch goil nice little village for a look around and a little castle for a visit there are patrol boats knocking about but generally if they can see you just out for a play there pretty friendly and will just wave you on your way as long as your sensible around the Base you'll be fine the whole area is monitored by radar and we've come up at 25kts and just slowed for the Base then pressed on again never had much more than a good looking at and a wave
Depending on how far you want to go you could have a trip further down into the open Clyde and into holy Loch or across for a look at the wreck of the sugar boat (Google it)
Plenty to see and do depending on weather and how adventurous you want to be

[Mantaclause]

Originally Posted by beamishken

Have a ride down the Loch for a look at the naval Base then hang a right up Loch goil nice little village for a look around and a little castle for a visit there are patrol boats knocking about but generally if they can see you just out for a play there pretty friendly and will just wave you on your way as long as your sensible around the Base you'll be fine the whole area is monitored by radar and we've come up at 25kts and just slowed for the Base then pressed on again never had much more than a good looking at and a wave
Depending on how far you want to go you could have a trip further down into the open Clyde and into holy Loch or across for a look at the wreck of the sugar boat (Google it)
Plenty to see and do depending on weather and how adventurous you want to be

Thanks, great info Lochgilphead and carrick castle should be doable weather permitting, but with young children I don't think we would venture any further.

[Last Tango]

12 knott speed limit in the entire loch and Loch Goil

[Xk59D]

pulled twice by plods up there, they will pull you if they are bored or being a twat. last time they gave me the sirens blazing treatment for stopping to play with some dolphins, i wasn't remotely close to their no go zones but suddenly slowing down done it.

with that said i've probably went up there 30/40x so not a bad ratio and i guess they want a wee practice with the siren now and then

btw, anything "upstream" past the cloch is 12 knots or 5 in some areas, info here-

https://www.peelports.com/media/1370...th-edition.pdf

IMO Loch Goil is best loch on west coast for scenery.

[Explore Cowal]

I stay in Dunoon and have launched from Port Riddle and headed to both Lochgoilhead and Arrochar. As mentioned Carrick and Lochgoilhead are worth a visit. The Goil Inn is right at the head of the loch if you want something to eat/drink. Land on the beach or there is a pontoon thingy at the garage. It's shallow at the head of the loch so transom wheels would be advantageous as it could be a drag either way when you arrive.
Worth a visit is Mark Cottage Bothy, its opposite the oil terminal.
As mentioned opposition Ardentinny the police are always patrolling the surrounding area and beyond. I've always stayed close to the west side whilst passing the base, giving an acknowledging wave should the patrol boat show interest.

If you can be bothered reading them, I've made a few wee reports on some trips I've made here...


https://explorecowal.com/category/sib/

[Proudy]

Hiya,
Where abouts do you stay. We went up for years but the 2 main campsites closed. We always stayed close to arrochar. The was at least 3 good points to launch and land. At this end of the loch it tends to be quieter. We never had any problems there. The area its self is beautiful. Take lots of lotions and potions for the midges in the evenings. The midges even have a website which tells you how bad they are!!

Cheers
Steve

[Mantaclause]

Originally Posted by Proudy

Hiya,

Where abouts do you stay. We went up for years but the 2 main campsites closed. We always stayed close to arrochar. The was at least 3 good points to launch and land. At this end of the loch it tends to be quieter. We never had any problems there. The area its self is beautiful. Take lots of lotions and potions for the midges in the evenings. The midges even have a website which tells you how bad they are!!



Cheers

Steve

We are staying at forest holidays at Ardgartan near the top of loch long, will the midges have all woken up by the end of May?

[Mantaclause]

Originally Posted by Proudy

Hiya,

Where abouts do you stay. We went up for years but the 2 main campsites closed. We always stayed close to arrochar. The was at least 3 good points to launch and land. At this end of the loch it tends to be quieter. We never had any problems there. The area its self is beautiful. Take lots of lotions and potions for the midges in the evenings. The midges even have a website which tells you how bad they are!!



Cheers

Steve

We are staying at forest holidays at Ardgartan near the top of loch long, will the midges have all woken up by the end of May?

[Poly]

Originally Posted by Mantaclause

will the midges have all woken up by the end of May?

It's been warm so quite likely...

[GeoffW]

Originally Posted by beamishken

Have a ride down the Loch for a look at the naval Base then hang a right up Loch goil nice little village for a look around and a little castle for a visit there are patrol boats knocking about but generally if they can see you just out for a play there pretty friendly and will just wave you on your way as long as your sensible around the Base you'll be fine the whole area is monitored by radar and we've come up at 25kts and just slowed for the Base then pressed on again never had much more than a good looking at and a wave
Depending on how far you want to go you could have a trip further down into the open Clyde and into holy Loch or across for a look at the wreck of the sugar boat (Google it)
Plenty to see and do depending on weather and how adventurous you want to be

There is very good reason for such uncompromising security , but it extends well beyond the Loch and the base . I was stopped between Largs and Bute by Armed officers in a Rhib, in a yacht doing 6 knots and got a blunt warning about an approaching submarine exiting the Clyde that was barely visible with Binos let alone the naked eye . I sense its a perk of the job for them to put you in your place ! Nice Rib mind you! But could have been more friendly given Trident boat was nearly 3 miles away . Courtesy is always respected and appreciated , would have been a different matter if we were tacking away directly in front of the sub drinking a G and T ! No issue with the guys near the base tho .

[Badgerpig]

we were up that way last weekend and the midges were'nt too bad, just take plenty of skin so soft you should be fine

there's quite a few dive sites near Ardgarten which are quite busy at this time of year especially at weekends and if I remember correctly some submerged iron work/concrete near low tide mark out from the slip (although it was still a campsite last time we were there so may have been cleared)

lovely area with an interesting history, the now derelict torpedo range used to have WW2 era grafitti visible on the quay

theres plenty to explore on Loch Long and there's always Loch Fyne just over rest and be thankful if you fancy a change of scenery for the day, you never know what you might see around the next bay


hope the weather stays fine for you

[Perroboy]

Midgies started this week!! We have had no rain in our part of Argyll for 10 days or more so they are thirsty! Skin So Soft is hopeless imho!! Smidge is the potion of choice. Hope you get the weather it has been amazing here and still is.

[Maximus]

Originally Posted by Perroboy

Midgies started this week!! We have had no rain in our part of Argyll for 10 days or more so they are thirsty! Skin So Soft is hopeless imho!! Smidge is the potion of choice. Hope you get the weather it has been amazing here and still is.

I went over to "Smidge" a couple of years ago and agree it's the best I've tried so far!
Don't get em at Sea!
Some good advice here.
https://www.lochnessholiday.co.uk/th...-midges-ticks/