Orkney Islands

Paul · 19 January 2003, 10:36

I am planning a trip to Orkney this June and hoping to take my Avon 4.0 metre RIB to look around Scapa Flow extending to a few of the more exposed islands-weather permitting. Unfortunately I am not as brave as the SIB owners on the forums and don't intend to cross the pentland firth in the RIB so would be looking to launch from the Orkney mainland. I note on boatlaunch that there is a slipway at Kirkwall, does anybody know of a good slipway, preferably near Stromness giving access to scapa flow? Secondly, does anybody know of a good pilot book that covers this area or any dangers I should be particularly aware of. Thanks in anticipation.

Paul

Andy · 19 January 2003, 11:19

Paul,

What a fantastic place you are off to visit, I love it and have been there many times BUT not with a boat. However the local dive shop in Stromness is run by two great people Leigh and Dougie. Dougie is a local dive boat skipper and knows the flow like the back of his hand. I am sure they would be very helpfull if you give them a ring.

(However if you are intending to dive then a word of warning, diving out of a rib can be met by the locals by ZERO co-operation as the area relies heavily on divers using the local dive boat charters. If you are not diving then make sure you tell them if you phone that you are only RIBing)

Leigh & Dougie

Contact Information

The Diving Cellar, 4 Victoria Street,
Stromness, Orkney, KW16 3AA

Telephone (0044) (0)1856 850055
Fax (0044) (0)1856 850395

leigh@divescapaflow.co.uk
http://www.divescapaflow.co.uk/

Keith Hart · 19 January 2003, 12:39

Hi. Great place, sorry to hear that you can't join us in August though.

Try here for information: http://www.orkneysailingclub.co.uk/

Keith (go on, you know you'd like to) Hart

Paul · 19 January 2003, 19:56

Andy and Keith, thanks for the info. Fortunately I am not a diver but enjoy visiting islands fishing etc. Keith, I am tempted by August (and have been for some weeks) but my worry is that I would travel the 500 miles or so to the North coast and find conditions a bit choppy. (I am a bit of a chicken) Having said that I have been through the Gulf of the Corryvrekken on a calm sunny day in my 4 metre after a visit to the Garvellachs south of Mull- a fantastic day out.

Keith Hart · 19 January 2003, 21:27

Quote:

I have been through the Gulf of the Corryvrekken

Paul, you are my hero then (alongside AP and the Duke of Dudley).

Well in that case you must come with us. It will save you doing all of the planning on your own as you can tag along with the expedition and share resourses. It will also give you some 'unusual' and certainly 'interesting' company.

What do you think folks. Should Paul come along?

Keith (help me out here folks) Hart

DM · 19 January 2003, 21:33

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul
(I am a bit of a chicken)

No bad thing where the pentlands concerned and I can assure you, Paul, that if it looks iffy I'll be in the sucker, sampling the malts. Anyway, I thought Durham was in Scotland.

DM

John Kennett · 19 January 2003, 21:35

Paul

Definitely come with us. If it's rough we won't be going across in SIBs anyway (well, I won't . . .)

There will be enough big RIBs for us to pile all the SIBs on board and get ferried across if it comes to it!

john

Keith Hart · 19 January 2003, 21:40

Quote:

There will be enough big RIBs for us to pile all the SIBs on board and get ferried across if it comes to it!

JK, that was supposed to be a SECRET!

Keith (blown the gaffe) Hart

narked · 19 January 2003, 21:51

I think he should go, as I don't even have a boat yet and I'm going! Hmm, don't have an engine yet either, looks like I might be rowing across

Matt

Paul · 19 January 2003, 22:45

Congratulations, you are all being very persuasive, I will discuss the matter of the Pentland Firth with my brother- the second crew member of the Avon.

John Kennett · 20 January 2003, 09:01

Quote:

Originally posted by Keith Hart
JK, that was supposed to be a SECRET!

D'oh! Now he says . . .

John