Slipways on Orkney

[Julie]

Hi,

I'm taking my RIB to Orkney in a few weeks….. And looking for decent slipways. Previously I've launched from Kirkwall, Tingwall and St Mary's but this was about 10 years ago

I've been told there's a good slipway at Point of Ness… can see it on google maps, but can’t find out anything about it. I'm staying in Stromness so this would be ideal. Has anyone used this one or can recommend any others?

Thanks
Julie

[selkiediver]

Hi there Julie, the Point of Ness slipway should be fine to launch a RIB. You can get a good photo of it on google streetview. Other ones to consider is the slipway at The Geo in Deerness (which gives a starting point to go across to the uninhabited island of Copinsay) and the old seaplane slipway at Houton (which gives another access point to Scapa Flow). The latter needs a key for the gate, but I do not know who to approach for this. Another one to consider is the slip at the Sands Hotel in Burray. If you have a 4x4, it is possible to launch off the beach at the car park opposite the Brough of Birsay. This gives access to the North Shoal, (rocks several miles West of the Brough) as well as along the north West coast of the Mainland.
Hope this helps. Neil

[Julie]

It does help thanks....Next question!

Do you know the tidal reach of the ones you've mentioned?

Thanks

[selkiediver]

Houton, Burray and Deerness are use-able at all but the lowest of tides as is the Beach at the Brough of Birsay (with a 4x4). The Point of Ness slip does not go down as far as MLWS so would be better to launch/recover at a higher state of the tide. Neil