Slipways on Uist?????

Julie · 14 January 2010, 20:12

I’m looking for slipways on Uist (North and South). The only one I can find ‘officially’ registered is Lochmaddy. But by the terrain I’m assuming there’s a lot more……..

I used to take pics & registered a few remote ones on boat launch myself a few years ago., then got out of the habit. Does anyone on here know of more? Any recommendations?

Otherwise I guess I just commandeer ferry slipways when not in use?

(And whilst on the subject any recommendations on good inns/small hotels with real ale and live music in the vicinity - or is that asking too much :-))

Thanks
Julie

seafariskye · 14 January 2010, 23:37

Julie

I do a bit of work out in uist - are you looking at launching on the East side or the west side? where are you going to be based?

cheers

Pete

jwalker · 15 January 2010, 00:01

Good ferry slips north and south of the Berneray causeway. At the south end there are slips either side of the causeway so you can go east or west. Lochmaddy slips are not so good but are usable.

Julie · 15 January 2010, 08:48

Thanks....

I’ll be there 3 nights, not really bothered where I’m based, I’ll tow to different slipways. (Do either of you have a recommendation of good accommodation – nothing in Real ale guide, and good pub guide only mentions Langast Lodge Lochmaddy?).

I’ll arrive at Lochmaddy, then probably leave from Loch Boisdale.

Looking at the maps the East costs looks very interesting, launching from Berneray looks good – Launch one side, recover the other!

Any ideas on Slips in South Uist?

Thanks
Julie

Tarbh · 15 January 2010, 17:30

Julie,

In Lochmaddy, the slipway is at the "Wee Pier" or on the charts as Charles Harbour.
Is it useable in all but very low tides.

In Berneray, ferry slipways at both ends of the causeway on the east side, on the west side the is good, but no good at low water...
If you do use the west slipway, watch out for the sand bar on the south side of Berneray...the slip is good for launching for the islands on the west including Taransay and Scarp.

There is another slip at Griminish (on the North Coast), its at bit tricky to manoeuvre down as it has a dog leg...but it is useable in all states of the tide as it runs on to sand at the bottom.

The only place i've launched in South Uist is Loch Skipport...again a tidal slip...

Accommodation wise...North Uist, Langass Lodge www.langasslodge.co.uk and Tigh Dearg www.tighdearghotel.co.uk
South Uist - Look at the Isles hotel group website...they have two hotels on Benbecula and one is South Uist.http: www.isleshotelgroup.co.uk
There is also the lochboisdale Hotel www.lochboisdale.com & The Polochar Inn...www.polocharinn.com

Hope this helps...

Julie · 15 January 2010, 18:15

Thanks...

I scoured google maps at high resolution, till I went cross eyed......Noticed Polochar Inn have there own slipway, and according to them it's usable.... perfect!

Also looks a good slip at Eriskay.

I'll check out your accommodation ideas in the north/middle too

Thanks
Julie

Boo · 20 January 2010, 10:43

Julie,

Was alongside the slip at Eriskay in 2008 and it would be suitable for launching. Just take a left turn after crossing the causeway and you are there! Access to east & west as you can go below the causeway.

Beautiful anchorage and you can camp/eat/drink at the Politician

Easy access to Barra, Vatersay, Mingulay etc etc

Could prob find pics of this slip if it would help.

Julie · 20 January 2010, 20:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boo

Could prob find pics of this slip if it would help.

A pic would be great if it's not too much touble?

Thanks

jambo · 20 January 2010, 21:27

Hi Julie
the wetern isles website has a section on harbours & ports with pictures, maybe helpful.

J

geoff · 20 January 2010, 23:36

http://www.boatlaunch.co.uk/default....redfilterid=10

Boo · 21 January 2010, 09:46

Julie,

Found a couple of pics that show general layout, and also the shower facilities!!!

New to the forum so hope I can work out how to stick these pics on here.

Some small fishing boats use the pier, but we had a warm welcome from a couple of local fishermen who were interested in where we had come from and where we were going, so I dont think any prior permissions will be necessary to launch there.

Julie · 21 January 2010, 17:19

Boo, thanks for the pic, the slipway at Eriskay looks perfect (not sure about the 1/2 naked blokes on it

)

As for the Lochmaddy description on Boatlaunch - this what generated this thread, as it was the only one I could find referenced there......but assumed there'd be many more.

Jambo - not sure if I can find the website you're referring to..... I've found this one http://www.thewesternisles.co.uk/index.htm but can't see a section on harbours and ports? Can you send a link?

Thanks

jambo · 21 January 2010, 20:05

Hi Julie this is the one it appears in West Coast Boating ste under anchorages outer hebs.
Hope it helps. http://www.w-isles.gov.uk/harbourmaster/harbours.asp

J

Julie · 26 January 2010, 20:30

Thanks... that's a really useful site

Julie

Julie · 27 January 2010, 19:55

Just noticed as well.... launching from North Uist.....St Kilda is 'only' 37 miles away.

One place I'd love to go, but not sure I have the bottle to do it with one RIB, nor the weather probably!

The longest trip I've ever done was about 45 miles, so a return trip is rather longer than that!

Anyone ever been?

Julie

jambo · 27 January 2010, 22:49

Julie
why not pm Murray McLeod on here as he runs a charter business from Lewis an is well aware of St K, he may well help you.

J

Boo · 27 January 2010, 23:29

Julie,

We did it in 2008 with 2 RIB,s and we stopped off in Eriskay on the way as per previous post. Got great weather and managed to have a several hours on St Kilda before exploring the other side by water along with Boreray.

We returned to Rodel (approx 50 nm from St Kilda) on the SE point of Harris as there is a shelterd anchorage with moorings and a hotel.

Would def recommend going there and seeing what it is like.

jwalker · 28 January 2010, 00:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Julie

Just noticed as well.... launching from North Uist.....St Kilda is 'only' 37 miles away.

One place I'd love to go, but not sure I have the bottle to do it with one RIB, nor the weather probably!

The longest trip I've ever done was about 45 miles, so a return trip is rather longer than that!

Anyone ever been?

Julie

Yep, been three times each time as a single boat. You'll find it is considerably further than the 37 miles when you leave from a suitable departure place. Reckon on about 45 miles minimum to be safe each way. When you're there you may want to travel around and between the islands so reckon also on fuel for that. If the weather is good it's an easy trip with plenty of time to do it in a day. Easy reckoning... leave 8.00.... 2 hours to get there so arrive 10.00 take all day to explore depart for home 18.00... back by 20.00 without rushing.
If you leave from the slip at the south west end of Berneray causeway, you can travel out between Udal and Boreray then almost due west to Hirta.

iainmartins · 29 January 2010, 00:11

Used to Live in Uist, my advice would be use the fish farm slipways I am sure If you give them a call before they will be ok about it. Most are well maintained and in good condition, perfect for the east side. Loch Skipport (south uist) was my favorite, it didn't have a full range but it was as good as you get without using ferry slipways. Have a look at it on google maps.

Also have a look at Peters port on Benbecula and Kallin in Grimsay

Julie · 01 February 2010, 20:22

Thanks for the Info on St Kilda....

I'm pondering.........maybe buy another fuel tank just in case I take the plunge.......

Julie