Isle of Skye

1RDO · 19 January 2016, 17:21

Can anyone recommend any slipways on the Isle of Skye? Thinking of taking the RIB up there for a week in May with the camper van for a bit of an adventure... any info would be greatly appreciated! Thanks - Bob

jwalker · 19 January 2016, 17:33

Skye has lots of slips, you'd be best telling us where about on Skye you'll be. The first one would be at Kyleakin - over the Skye bridge, turn left at the roundabout and drive down to the old ferry slip at the end of the road. You'll also find plenty of parking space for your camper down there. That area is also fairly sheltered and there's plenty of interesting boating to be had. Recommended.

Perroboy · 19 January 2016, 17:34

Fantastic new slip and pontoon at Carbost on West coast of Skye.On Loch Harport which leads into Loch Bracadale so fairly sheltered with various islands to explore. Loads of wildlife, beautiful spot. Carbost has a fairly basic site for campervans but its cheap!! Great pub with real ales, entertainment and great food.Talisker distillery is local too.

jeffstevens763@g · 19 January 2016, 19:17

was up there for a week at crimbo portnalong has two slips into shelted bay on loch harport one is available all tide fishermans pontoon at the side of it, make enquires to use it i think a few beer tokens will sort. the other on the pier drops off but usable for at least 3 hours either side of HW clean slips plenty of parking freash water tap on the shore.
carbost as said good slipway bottom just shows at low water so probably usable all tide oposite distillery but skye is a big island you need to be a bit more specific on your location,plenty of cottages if thats your bag look up scotish cottages .com or walk scotland.

Perroboy · 19 January 2016, 19:55

Only problem with Portnalong pontoons is that the fish farm own them and only allow you to use the bit that dries out.It`s fairly rocky ground so not recommended for an overnight stay.

ShinyShoe · 20 January 2016, 08:11

Skye is a big island. It's also deceptively small. Driving across or up it can take and age. The roads are rubbish. Millions if campers. A fair amount if road is single track with passing places.

The more remote the better. Just factor in there will be more driving time than you expect unless you are launching as soon as you criss the bridge.

1RDO · 20 January 2016, 09:13

Thanks for all of the advice. We drove round Mull last year (didn't take the boat) and some of the roads were a bit dicey if you needed to select the 'reverse' gear... Was looking for 2-3 slips on Skye to visit over a week and just camp near them in the VW. The Carborst site looks promising, they have a FaceBook page I have found as well. If you can advise on any others, it would be most appreciated.

Last Tango · 20 January 2016, 12:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1RDO

Thanks for all of the advice. We drove round Mull last year (didn't take the boat) and some of the roads were a bit dicey if you needed to select the 'reverse' gear... Was looking for 2-3 slips on Skye to visit over a week and just camp near them in the VW. The Carborst site looks promising, they have a FaceBook page I have found as well. If you can advise on any others, it would be most appreciated.

Good slip at Stein with parking and Poolteil has a decent slip good for at least half tide but with a brutal end. Again loads of parking. Slip onto the beach at Harlosh...DON'T TAKE YOUR CAR ONTO THE BEACH

best boating round Skye is Idrigil/Mcleods Maidens and north to Neist.

PS the roads are fine......don't worry

1RDO · 20 January 2016, 15:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last Tango

Good slip at Stein with parking and Poolteil has a decent slip good for at least half tide but with a brutal end. Again loads of parking. Slip onto the beach at Harlosh...DON'T TAKE YOUR CAR ONTO THE BEACH

best boating round Skye is Idrigil/Mcleods Maidens and north to Neist.

PS the roads are fine......don't worry

Thanks Last Tango, great info... just done my google earth flyby!

Perroboy · 20 January 2016, 18:32

Roads are not that bad. All the major villages have good roads to them. True if you go to the very south of the island there is a lot of single track stuff. Roads are mostly better than Mull for sure!!

ShinyShoe · 20 January 2016, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Last Tango

Poolteil has a decent slip good for at least half tide but with a brutal end.

Was at Poolteil this summer. Just with a sib. Slip seemed OK. But take a spare CO2 for your life jacket just in case you step off the end when launching. It seems its a long drive to the chandlery!

Two or three camper vans each night parked up at the top of the slip.

Amazing fishing if you are into that kind of stuff.

A reef for diving if you like getting your face wet.

Couple of decent cafe's in the village near-by.

jeffstevens763@g · 21 January 2016, 12:30

dscf 700 elgol slip
dscf 680 pontoon portnalong
dscf 693 top of slip next to pontoons
dscf 694 carbost slip goes 90 degrees down from concrete end a long way at LW springs

jwalker · 21 January 2016, 12:45

There's a concrete slip at Uig just short of the ferry terminal. I've launched there using a Bedford camper, just take care. Plenty of parking for camper and trailer and the Outer Hebrides is just across the Minch - 40 mins away. There are new pontoons at Lochmaddy on North Uist and the Sound of Harris is just around the corner, Taransay just a bit further on...loads of super ribbing. Also, the east side of Sky is the better side IMHO - more interesting and whales, dolphins, porpoises too.

jeffstevens763@g · 21 January 2016, 13:03

0731/0732 poolteil
0761 top of jetty slip portnalong
0762 looking down slip
0760 looking down slip and extends past RHwall

Last Tango · 21 January 2016, 20:43

I had a fruitless trip to Elgol.
It may be ok out of season but when I went there it was so busy you couldn't get near the slip and there wasn't an empty parking space anywhere in the village far less anywhere near the slip and there was certainly nowhere you could have parked a car and trailer

Stevem · 21 January 2016, 22:34

As others have said Pooltiel / Meanish pier. I was there last summer, had a great time. Luckily I had a sib as the slipway does drop away at low tide which I found out on my return!

1RDO · 22 January 2016, 09:42

jeffstevens763@g thanks for the photos, very useful.

Scrottocks · 21 November 2023, 17:23

Regarding narrow roads and passing places. I have found that by towing my 5m RIB other vehicles gave me priority at passing places - even buses and lorries!!